'I never fear the unknown'
The chat with Kamal Haasan almost didn't happen. The actor-director had a busy schedule, with interviews and promotional work for Hey! Ram. But he turned up for the chat, nonetheless, to fulfill his commitment. And in spite of being extremely tired, the superstar was at his wittiest best, much to the delight of his fans who has patiently waited for him.
Kamal Haasan:
Hi, I'm here...now it's my turn to wait :-)
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Indian:
Kamalahaasan (Repeat Q) As an ardent fan of yours, I have taken your name from the movie Indian as my identity on chat. I salute you. You are the GREATEST actor to grace Indian cinema and that includes Hindi cinema. Have you ever considered making English movies? What would be your dream role?
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Kamal Haasan:
Indian: Marudanaayagam.
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Maadhavan ramamohan:
Hi, Kamal, I saw your site heyramthemovie.com, excellent job by the team. Have you released the audio for the movie? Can you put a similar site for all your forthcoming projects right from the beginning and update it quite often so that everyone thruout the world will be abreast of the situation?
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Kamal Haasan:
Maadhavan ramamohan: Happy that you liked it. Good idea, will follow up;-)
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Srini:
I often feel that Indian films deviate from their story (most of the time doesn't have one) by introducing songs, fights and comedy, which is not at all relevant to the context. What do you think?
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Kamal Haasan:
Srini: You've got company.
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R Srinivasan:
Hi, Did you fear about the future when you are waiting for a breakthrough in filmdom during your adoloscence? And what would you have been now if had not been that lucky?
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Kamal Haasan:
R Srinivasan: I never fear the unknown, if I hadn't been that lucky I would have been a film buff.
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Arms:
Kamal, Have u ever thought of making a movie about thanthai Periyar?
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Kamal Haasan:
Arms: Most of my movies contain a little bit of him. A full movie on him might be offensive to fanatic Hindus or for that matter, any religious fanatic.
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Geeseenu:
Kamalji, how did you feel when you lost the address slip from Amala in Pushpak (last scene)?
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Kamal Haasan:
Geeseenu: That was not Amala's address, don't worry I know her address ;-)
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Roshan:
KAMAL HASSAN...MY EARLIER QUESTION WAS WHY DON'T U ACT IN HINDI MOVIES ANY MORE? AND WHICH WAS THE BEST MOVIE YOU HAVE DONE FOR HINDI CINEMA???
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Kamal Haasan:
Roshan: Both your questions will be answered with Hey! Ram.
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Radha:
Hello Kamal, Can you please tell me if you are still in touch with Bharathnatyam? I heard from (writer) Sujatha that the floor in one of the rooms in your house has a dent caused by your rigorous dance practice..is it true ??!!
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Kamal Haasan:
Radha: Yes, the floor dent has been rectified now. And I don't dent it any more.
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Arms:
Hi Kamal, How long do you think you can act in movies? Acting in one movie in a year, how many movies (like Hey! Ram) do you think you can give in your lifetime? Have you ever thought about this kind of planning ?
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Kamal Haasan:
Arms: Yes, when you can think about it, you bet on your computer I would have thought about it a thousand times.
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Krishkp:
Do u have the guts to play the same role as a Muslim?
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Kamal Haasan:
Krishkp: When I have the moral courage to play a psychopath, a smuggler, a good man, an innocent man, do you think I'll lack it?
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Kamal Haasan:
Krishkp: *more* My denoucing caste and religion will be better understood if one watches Hey! Ram with equipoise.
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Ganesan:
Hi Kamal, forget the biased minds who would keep criticising. Continue your good work, an intellectual artiste of your calibre and such movies as your Hey! Ram are definitely needed.
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Kamal Haasan:
Ganesan: Thanks, you are definitely needed to promote the will in filmmakers like me.
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Hari Ram:
After Hey! Ram, what characters do you look forward to playing or enjoy acting?
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Kamal Haasan:
Hari Ram: One that gets the most applause:-)
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Madhu:
Hi Kamal, it's great to see you on screen after a long hiatus from screen. The film being historical, can it sustain the enthu of people as you believe and it seems that you have censor problems??
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Kamal Haasan:
Madhu: Enthu and Madhu seem to rhyme, don't you think? ;-) Not only me, all filmmakers and especially sensible filmmakers have problems with an obselete and centrally driven body called Censors.
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M S Krishna Raj:
ANYONE KNOWS WHERE THE MARUTHNAYGAM TRAILER IS? THEY SAID IT'S ON THE NET. BUT WHERE???
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Kamal Haasan:
M S Krishna Raj: It's not there on the Net through official sources and I know. It might soon be.
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Suresh:
Kama,l at what stage is Maruthanayagam in? When would we be finally seeing the much-awaited epic?
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Kamal Haasan:
Suresh: 30 minutes and Rs 7 crores later, even I can't fix a precise date but it will happen.
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Arul:
Unto this last by Tolstoy-inspired M KGandhi... which is the book that inspired you to alter your life a bit?
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Kamal Haasan:
Arul: Crime and Punishment.
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Navmani:
Hi Kamal, I heard you are big fan of Hotel Samco, I'm a regular there, and only then did I come to know of it. Great food!
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Kamal Haasan:
Navmani: Samco has shifted locations but I haven't shifted my allegiance to Samco. Samco is RajKamal Films International, my neighbour now.
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Indian2:
Kamalahaasan, Do you have any plans to develop/diversify yourself and your considerable talents to the Net? Please be careful that you don't go the way ABCL did! Don't trust all and sundry!
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Kamal Haasan:
Indian2: I am very wary of Nets, cyber or any kind. What is the ABCL way? Did they have a chosen path?
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Bharatwaasi:
How I wished you, the Indian/Hindustani/Bharatheeyudu, were there at KANDAHAR on IC 814, to ploy that martial art, one twist of the hijackers' nerves, and they would have dropped dead!....No?
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Kamal Haasan:
Bharatwaasi: You are watching too many movies. NO? ;-)
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Karthik:
Are you happy with the music of Hey! Ram by Raja?
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Kamal Haasan:
Karthik: You have got company. I am satisfied with the songs and I know I will have company too.
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Saisuresh Sivaswamy:
Kamal... what about the project on Subramaniya Bharati that K Balachander announced after the success of Varumaiyin Sigappu? I recall, he had mentioned that there cannot be another actor to play Bharathi but you...
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Kamal Haasan:
Saisuresh: I think someone else is planning to make quick money on Bharathi.
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Zoonyspaz:
Kamal .. You know I watched probably the best movie of this century, Cititzen Kane... Orson Welles... you think we in India can ever make a movie like that ...Welles was only 25 when he made the movie!
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Kamal Haasan:
Zoonyspaaz: That's another century now. Hey! Ram belongs to the new century. Sorry I'm not 25 anymore.
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Cottheta:
As a firm believer in first amendment rights, I think you, sir, have every right to put your spin on history/events.
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Kamal Haasan:
Cotthetta: Of course, I have the right and you know the amendment, how many political pedestrians and flunkies know that?
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Saisuresh Sivaswamy:
Kamal.. quick money on Bharathi? You mean, you will allow someone else to beat you to Bharathi? Why? Doesn't his poetry rouse you, as it did your parents?
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Kamal Haasan:
Saisuresh: I am still making Hey! Ram and have Marudu to contend with. Almost anyone can beat me to it. If Bharathi's poems doesn't rouse me, it means I don't read Tamil.
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Suresh:
Good luck on you spirited venture Kamal. How do you think Gandhi would relate to the current info age? Cyber Age ( Humour please:-)
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Kamal Haasan:
Suresh: People would be shooting questions at him. I think he would have enjoyed cyber space.
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Oasis:
Kamal, why do you make a point of having kissing scenes in your films lately??
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Kamal Haasan:
Oasis: You don't ask that of songs? Do you like music so much? Or is it that you hate sucking face?
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Saisuresh Sivaswamy:
Kamal... your feelings when you and not Sridevi won the National award for her performance in Moondram Pirai?
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Kamal Haasan:
Saisuresh: What I got was the best actor award, what she would have got was a best actress award. They are two separate categories, I think you are confusing genders.
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Bharatwaasi:
How I cried, watching you in Saagara Sangamam, especially when you sob holding Jaya Prada's hand for getting a chance to perform at a cultural festival. What is it in you that makes viewers cry?
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Kamal Haasan:
Bharatwaasi: I hope it's not my bad acting;-)
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Venkat:
Kamal, who's your inspiration and mentor?
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Kamal Haasan:
Venkat: Inspiration many, mentors thank goodness, again many.
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Arul:
Mr Kamal, greetings to you and your family. I remember watching one of your interviews in the '80s. You had told that you had the habit of going through Karl Marx's Das Capital every night before going to bed. What is the speciality of that book that attracted you?
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Kamal Haasan:
Arul: Assured sound sleep within a few pages, I'm yet to complete it. I'm sure I'll have company in many modern communists.
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Indian:
Kamalahaasan: Do you have ANY plans to enter politics? If so, when? And where would your REAL sympathies lie? Maybe you could enlighten us by telling us the 5 people you admire the most in the whole world.
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Kamal Haasan:
Indian: When I enter politics everyone would have entered it. It will be, I hope, a revolution without violence. What am I thinking? It's a silly dream. A naive pedestrain aspiration. The political creatures in our capital and others will see to it that nothing so dangerous to their profession will happen.
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Kamal Haasan:
LAST TWO QUESTIONS.
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Maadhavan ramamohan:
Hi Kamal, I heard that you and Rajini are going do a project together to help your guru KB in 2000. Is that correct?
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Kamal Haasan:
Maadhavan ramamohan: I don't know about it, how did you know?
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Kumaran:
Do u think, Gandhi was right in making Nehru the PM? I've a feeling that Sardar Patel suited it better and I think this is bigger mistake than the partition of India
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Kamal Haasan:
Kumaran: I read somewhere, I think in Playboy, that the Playboy dictionary explains the word analyse as hindsight!
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Guna:
Why do you think Hey! Ram is relevant today?
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Kamal Haasan:
Guna: As relevant as Guna and Kamal Haasan are.
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Kamal Haasan:
Thanks, I enjoyed it, but if I yawn, you'll think I didn't:-) I am because I got up at 5 and have to do that again tomorrow. *yawn* I loved it. Thank you *yawn* sorry all. Goodnight*yawn* Will be back sometime when I'm not this sleepy good *yawn* sorry night.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Suparn Verma
'Writing films is something I wanted to do'
Bombay, August 6, 2002: Suparn Verma, scriptwriter and former rediff.com staffer, spoke about his debut film, Chhal, and other films that he has written and are being produced.
Suparn Verma : Hi everyone, it feels quite strange to be sitting on the other side of the fence;-)
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chalbe : u have come a long way..i remember logging into the chatroom and talking to you........great going
Suparn Verma : Hi mate, you'll have to tell me your original nick though, thanks and getting down to business, watch chhal hehe;-)
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ChhalMereBhai : Mr Verma are you there as yet, or true to filmi tradition you will be in late?
Suparn Verma : Was planning to be late in the filmi tradition but decided against it, did I keep u waiting for long?
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Suwarn : Hi Suparn, Congratulations on your first release. Tell me from where did u got the idea for the "Chhal"?
Suparn Verma : I was breaking my head after watching The Usual Suspects and L A Confidential at the awesome screenplay of the films and wanted to write something as fast paced and tell the story in a fashion where you could never predict the next scene. Started off as a different story but by the second draft the smaller characters in the story became bigger and bigger and soon overtook the whole story, so honestly it just happened. Plus I like violence and the mileu gave me the chance to write something with a lot of ruthless people in it.
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Princess : so what are the films chhal will be pitted against this weekend? what kind of release/premiere are you guys having?
Suparn Verma : Chhal is pitted against Mujhse Dosti Karoge and Encounter -The Killing. Encounter has a very limited release, as for Mujhse Dosti Karoge well its a love triangle filled with mushy songs, and Chhal is a total contrast, anyone who doesn't get tickets for MDK will head towards Chhal plus after a long time you have a proper action film coming up, and once the first few days are over the word of mouth should help us.
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King : HEY MAN. ARE YOU NERVOUS?
Suparn Verma : I'm shitting bricks mate
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Samsung : Hi Suparn, how do you compare movies in Hollywood and Bollywood. What, according to you, should Bollywood be learning from Hollywood and is not doing?
Suparn Verma : We are miles behind in just sheer techonlogy, we are using camera's which they will soon discard because of new ones, Avid is still a new thing as far as editing goes, we still don't have sync sound, India has only one professionally trained gaffer. The sheer number of theaters is piddle shit compared to the number of theaters in the West, which help work out the economics of a film. We have an herd mentality of what works and doesn't work. We are scared of being new or different and prefer to play it safe......I can go on and on... BUT luckily a lot of new talent is entering the industry in every department and maybe we will usher in the change
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MaryLele : tell me mr varma, does the male version of a casting couch exist? what have your own experiences been?
Suparn Verma : Mary it may exist for the males, I'm sure it does, but who would want a writer? I mean we are supposed to be creatures with dirty lice filled beards, khadi kurtas and gutka in our mouth and drunk before the end of the evening;-)
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shailesh : sir, I need ur help. may I have ur attention for a few minutes please?
Suparn Verma : Please! You have my full attention pal
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Chaliya : if Chhal was a big-budget film, and you had the choice, who would you have prefered to cast?
Suparn Verma : I don;t think Chhal would have got made the w it was written if we had a bigger cast. The idea of having protagonists without giving each one of them a backstory doesn't exist if you have big name stars. Because they would all require justification for who they are and what they do and why they do that. It would needed to be shown rather than expressed by them. I wrote Chhal without any faces, and Kay Kay and Prashant have done a stupendous job, so they are the faces of Chhal for me
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Chaliya : have you seen KK's other film Paanch? which do you think is better?
Suparn Verma : I haven't seen Paanch though I have told Anurag to show it to me twice:-( I hear its a very good film and am dying to see it
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Princess : are there any big banners among your future projects suparn? what are your future projects, by the way?
Suparn Verma : Am writing Feroz Khan's Janasheen, Harry Baweja's Qayamat, N R Pashicia's Zameen directed by Rohit Shetty, Shaadi.com and Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai by Hansal Mehta
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asma : Hi Mr Verma, The promos of your movie look pretty tempting in the sense that one shouldnt miss it
Suparn Verma : Then please do see it:-)
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JeLoMeinAagaya : Tell us about the women in your films, suparn. any romantic tangle with you, or is it just good friends? lol
Suparn Verma : I don't think one should look for friends within the actors circle. It's more important to have a good working relationship, whereby you can work with a variety of actors all your career instead of sticking wit one good friend. Frindship and work don't go very well in an industry filled with insecurity. However you do make some friends as you go along and thsoe you treasure. As far as the ladies in the industry go, I don't shit where I eat:-) So...
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Leher : Suparn what credentials are required to tak eup script writing as a fulltime profession?
Suparn Verma : I have no creditials, I used to be journalist in rediff.com and my stories were grounded in reality not fiction;-) But writing films is something I wanted to do, had been writing on the quiet putting away ideas for a long time....and Chhal happened
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Chaliya : How many film scripts before you turn director? be honest.
Suparn Verma : Dunno, enough to have enough money in the savings account so that when I take off as a director I have enough money to tide me for two years. Coz generally the perception is that once a writer turns a director he doesn't write for outside productions, though I wouldn't mind coz it's always interesting to see another filmmakers interpretation of what you write. In that regard I have been lucky because Chhal saw Hansal and me agreeing on every aspect of what the film should be all about.
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tanmay : which is your favourite scene in CHAAL?
Suparn Verma : The pre finale confrontation between the two protagonists, then the scene on the boat between Prashant and Kay Kay and the opening scene of the film where we killed Apurva Asrani who is also the editor of the film in a public toilet, its sooooo cool!
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khjua : Suparn .. Is it not correct that you people giving "Dhokha" to ordinary young people by Glamourising the Crime?
Suparn Verma : Chhal doesn't glamourise crime, neither does it give you a story of why they become gangsters, or glorify them, beisdes its from the point of view of a cop who infiltrates them, so it's quiet objective in it's approach, everytime you find yourself feeling too much for a gangster he does something henious, and when you are just about to hate him he does something human, so you never get too close to them just like Kay Kay's character until the end and when he does get to close he realises the danger
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Indian_rediff : Hi Supps!! Congrats dude!! Remember me? Indian??
Suparn Verma : Saiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii hey mate:-) Chhal will release in the US in a straight DVD form on the 9th:-) watch it and mail me on hyperactiv@rediffmail.com
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Friend : Hi!Pal..I had seen ur craze for playing computer games on holidays..do u still get time to play?
Suparn Verma : I play a whole game before working every night, try out Age of Conquerors its an amazing strategy game
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Chaliya : any Hindi film that you wish you had written?
Suparn Verma : Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron that is the god of all Hindi films. That is one film I had written
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suparndavermie : hi suparn, what's it like to have your first film ready to hit the big screen?
Suparn Verma : Its an extremely nerve wracking experience coz now everything is out off your hand
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srikanth : Suparn...whts ur inspiration behind ur script or story writings?
Suparn Verma : Chhal isnt inspired, it has nothing to do with Donnie Brasco, Serpico, Prince of the City or any other film:-) Howerever I have seen all these films. I watch a lot of films and they simply inspire me to slog my butt harder and try and achieve a quarter of what they have
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KAKA : AGAR FILMI LEKHAK NA HOTEY TO ROTI KAMANE KE LIYE KYA KARTE
Suparn Verma : Rediff mein bahut acchi naukri thi ussi mein kaam karta aur khush rehta
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chetan_a : This Nitin Patil (the producer) is from Nashik?
Suparn Verma : Yup he is a builder from Nashik and a very gutsy guy
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Chaliya : are you scared of the reviews Chhal might get? do you think bad reviews can spoil a good film? how does it feel now that you cannot write your own film's review?
Suparn Verma : I'm not scared about the reveiws Chhal will get, because reviews have never decided the fate of a film, if a film works the audiences make it work becaue it is worth running if they bring it down then it must be bad. I remember on the sets of Chachi 420 Kamal Hassan was giving an interview and he said 'you have to respect your audience becaus ethey are the same people who made Mother India and Mughal-E-Azam a hit' so I guess if they have the intelligence to make sure such films hit it big time they even better critics now in the age of satellite TV
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khallas : how long did it tak u to complete the script? and how did u take to writing?
Suparn Verma : Chhal took 2 weeks to write, Yeh Kya Ho Raha hai took one week to write, Chhal was shot in 40 days and YKHRH in 50:-) As for the biggies they take time to write, though I would prefer to finish off subjects in 2 weeks, do two re-writes and polishing jobs in another two, that way the effort is more concentrated.
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Princess : similarities between chhal and company, suparn? or are they in one's mind only?
Suparn Verma : They don't exist except the mileu is the same--the underworld. Company is about two warring dons, Chhal is about a cop infiltrating the underworld.
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ajaz2kool : how did u end up with writing for Janashen for Firoz Khan - seeing that his previous movie was a disaster
Suparn Verma : Every filmmakers has hits and flops, Feroz Khan had a flop too, big deal! Ram Gopal Varma reccomended me to Mr Khan and that's how Janasheen happened to me
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StephenKing : DID U LIKE DEVDAS? :D
Suparn Verma : Yup I liked Devdas, hated the opened scene though. It had SRK's career best performance and Sanjay Leela Bhansali has done an awesome job
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Chaliya : do you have any control over a story after you have submitted the script to a filmmaker? like example can you ensure Feroz Khan does not change Jaanasheen as per his choices?
Suparn Verma : In India no writer has any control over his script after he gives it. It only depends on how closely you are involved with the film and the intellegence of the filmmaker. I have been lucky in that regard and Feroz Khan never shoots anything unless he is sure its working on paper.
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hritik : HI SUPANA, HOW DID YOU THINK OF THOSE INTIMATE SCENES?
Suparn Verma : There is only one in the song where Kay makes luv to Jaya Sea, don't take much to think of that does it?;-) The scene where she washes his hair in the salon, thats something I always wanted my chsracters to do because I read this storyline of a film called The Barbers Wife where the barber got his kicks fondling his wife while she would cut a customers hair. The idea remained with me and came out here.....no connection to the original but now you know the geneisis
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hritik : IS IT EASY TO WRITE A THRILLER WITH SUSPENCE OR A LOVE STORY?
Suparn Verma : Nothing comes easy my friend
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superkhan : did u do any research for your movie CHHAL? or did u write it purely out of your imagination...
Suparn Verma : No it didn't have any research, just reading newspapers every day gives you enough info, for the rest you can let your imagination wander. I guess what you soak in when you read lends itself to 'research' but I rather write a story for the fun of it and research only certain technicalities as and when needed. Anyway I'm too much of a nosy parker with an appetite to know EVERYTHING, being a pain in the butt helps
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chhaliya : what is the story of shaadi.com? don't you think there are too many movies made on weddings, and serials also, of course, but they're all hypocritic in nature? not one of them depicts reality
Suparn Verma : The story of shaadi.com examines a couple in the first 12 months of marriage, it has no saas bahu angle. It is a funny film where a couple re-examines their relationship from the transtition of being boyfriend girlfriend to be man and wife and falling in love once again
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spooky : will you be able to write on a subject given to you a or develope a theme or idea
Suparn Verma : I do that too, either I devise the whole thing or I'm given an idea to develop
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gouravaich : what is the significance of the film's title?
Suparn Verma : Chhal means deciet, the tagline is A World of Lies, the whole film starts with a cop deciving the underworld, the cop being decevieved by his own people and his own sense of whats right or wrong and walking the razors edge till he does what is right for him.
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gouravaich : plz tell frankly, what r ur expectations with the film, keeping in mind the Indian viewers?
Suparn Verma : Chhal will work well
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Chaliya : would the success or failure of Chhal make a difference to your other films? i mean, would other directors start making changes or demanding rewrites if this film fails?
Suparn Verma : *lol* Thats something I'm paranoid about, but no it won't happen because Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai is ready for release, Janasheen is 75% ready, Qayamat and Zameen has a screenplay in which every scene balances the next so you can't just change stuff randomly, I guess creating a watertight screenplay is not just a professional need for me but also my insurance policy
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Chaliya : do you think you can write a family drama as well?
Suparn Verma : I guess so, but am very sad I missed the bus to write any of the Bhagat Singh movies, I mean they were maing five of them and I couldn't sell myself to even one
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gouravaich : well, is writing scripts on underworld and crime is a sure path to success because that is what we are seeing nowadays..e.g.company,aankhen,satya..
Suparn Verma : Good for me then eh
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StephenKing : SUPARN DID U LIKE DEVDAS? DO U THINK ALL THAT MONEY WAS JUSTIFIED THAT WENT ABOUT IN MAKING THAT A FILM?
Suparn Verma : I liked Devdas, it couldn't have looked the way it did minus the money that went into it, its just 5% of what a Hollywood film costs
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vicky1 : suparn can u tell about ur next movie"YEH KYA HO RAHA HAI".....ITS PROMOS R REALLY INTERESTING......WILL U TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT IT
Suparn Verma : Its about four guys who want to get laid and discover that love and sex are completely different, it's about the process of growing up, the end of innocence, of fun things we did when we were in college. It's also a film after which my friends will disown me because I stole liberally from the experiences as well as mine
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chandpuri : Hi Supan I am also a writer wanting to make it in Bollywood. How the life of a script writer in Bollywood. Is Story writing a decent job in the film line and how did you pursue it as a career
Suparn Verma : Its a great career my friend, just need to learn patience
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gouravaich : what is ur area of interest when u think of writing a script...in other words, what attracts u the most?
Suparn Verma : The idea of making money;-) Seriously though it is such a kick writing a big lie, people spendinmg crores to put the lie on film and people coming to watch the lie and pay you to lie:-) And the one who is most successful is the one who lies best. I want to be the world's greatest liar!
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Princess : will there be a sequel to shaadi.com, called barbaadi.com? lol
Suparn Verma : ideally it would be divorce.com na?:-)
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Ipsit1 : HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY R U SEEING THIS MATTER I AM REQUESTING PLease PLease PLease answer, How a story writer deffrent from script writer?
Suparn Verma : Ispit1, Jack and Jill Went Up the Hill to fetch a pail of water Jack Fell down and broke his crown and Jill came tumbling after is the STORY! Describing how they went up and also avoided the snake on the way, and how wonderful the weather was and then it started to snow and they were caught in a blizzard and how they somehow reached up the hill and describing how they fetched the water and what happened the Jack Fell down and describing how Jill went to save him and tumbled after is the SCREENPLAY
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Princess : seriously suparn, tell me, isn't a scriptwriter like a woman who has rented her womb? i mean, both conceive, and hand over the outcome to others to develop... how it turns out then, depends not so much on their brilliance but on others' genius or lack of it?
Suparn Verma : You stole this quote:-)
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chandpuri : Suparn how many films do you have on Hand? Do you think writing a lot of scripts together you can do justice to all. I will be more patient for an answer this time
Suparn Verma : I guess I am able to handle them so I dont know about advising the same to anyone else. Its what you can take. For example I dont drink more than 4 pegs your capacity might be 14.....for you to find out
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StephenKing : Were u always into writing and dramatics? Considering ur so good looking did u ever think of becoming an actor?
Suparn Verma : I saw my face in the mirror when I was 12 and gave up ALL PLANS OF EVER BECOMING AN ACTOR, plus I speak too fast! Though I do enjoy making cameo appearances in my movies and telling all the girls I know to watch out for me;-)
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chandpuri : Considering the state of the films today don't you think the producers and directors have to be more creative in thinking rather than dance and fight a minute sequence stuff? Do the producers in Bollywood realise the value of a good script?
Suparn Verma : We are an actor dominated industry, after that comes the music, then the script, so by the time you are through writing roles around an actor and fitting in six songs you also make way for an story. LUCKILY with the industry going through a bad phase a lot of soul searching has been taking place and the script is gaining its weight once again and it HELPS being in the industry NOW at this point when you can help make the change
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gouravaich : suparn, r u married?'lol'
Suparn Verma : Nope
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Princess : seriously suparn, tell me, isn't a scriptwriter like a woman who has rented her womb? i mean, both conceive, and hand over the outcome to others to develop... how it turns out then, depends not so much on their brilliance but on others' genius or lack of it?
Suparn Verma : Yeah but atleast you can choose in whose hands the outcome depends, you can always say NO to peopl who are gonna screw around with your baby. Everyone can give birth, its being a good parent that makes sure how your baby turns out
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Chaliya : what you gave up at the age of 12 was ALL PLANS OF EVER BECOMING A HERO. one can be an actor with whatever face one has. right naseer, om puri, manoj bajpai??
Suparn Verma : yeah at 12 I wanted to be the guy who would bash up Amrish Puri. It was only at 21 that I realised I was a fool, I should have been the guy who raped the heroine thrice before the sucker hero realised he wasn't getting any and beat me up in the 19th reel;-) but I guess I was too late for that
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chandpuri : Suparn how good are our copywrite laws? Like if you narrate a story to a producer or director how much chances are there of it being copied inspite of story being registered?
Suparn Verma : Registering your story does help, registering helps more in terms of non-payment that reminds me I have yet to sign up:-)
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Suparn Verma : Bye guys, thank you so much, I hope you guys see Chhal and enjoy yourself. I'm sure it will give you value for your time and money, Ciao
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Bombay, August 6, 2002: Suparn Verma, scriptwriter and former rediff.com staffer, spoke about his debut film, Chhal, and other films that he has written and are being produced.
Suparn Verma : Hi everyone, it feels quite strange to be sitting on the other side of the fence;-)
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chalbe : u have come a long way..i remember logging into the chatroom and talking to you........great going
Suparn Verma : Hi mate, you'll have to tell me your original nick though, thanks and getting down to business, watch chhal hehe;-)
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ChhalMereBhai : Mr Verma are you there as yet, or true to filmi tradition you will be in late?
Suparn Verma : Was planning to be late in the filmi tradition but decided against it, did I keep u waiting for long?
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Suwarn : Hi Suparn, Congratulations on your first release. Tell me from where did u got the idea for the "Chhal"?
Suparn Verma : I was breaking my head after watching The Usual Suspects and L A Confidential at the awesome screenplay of the films and wanted to write something as fast paced and tell the story in a fashion where you could never predict the next scene. Started off as a different story but by the second draft the smaller characters in the story became bigger and bigger and soon overtook the whole story, so honestly it just happened. Plus I like violence and the mileu gave me the chance to write something with a lot of ruthless people in it.
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Princess : so what are the films chhal will be pitted against this weekend? what kind of release/premiere are you guys having?
Suparn Verma : Chhal is pitted against Mujhse Dosti Karoge and Encounter -The Killing. Encounter has a very limited release, as for Mujhse Dosti Karoge well its a love triangle filled with mushy songs, and Chhal is a total contrast, anyone who doesn't get tickets for MDK will head towards Chhal plus after a long time you have a proper action film coming up, and once the first few days are over the word of mouth should help us.
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King : HEY MAN. ARE YOU NERVOUS?
Suparn Verma : I'm shitting bricks mate
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Samsung : Hi Suparn, how do you compare movies in Hollywood and Bollywood. What, according to you, should Bollywood be learning from Hollywood and is not doing?
Suparn Verma : We are miles behind in just sheer techonlogy, we are using camera's which they will soon discard because of new ones, Avid is still a new thing as far as editing goes, we still don't have sync sound, India has only one professionally trained gaffer. The sheer number of theaters is piddle shit compared to the number of theaters in the West, which help work out the economics of a film. We have an herd mentality of what works and doesn't work. We are scared of being new or different and prefer to play it safe......I can go on and on... BUT luckily a lot of new talent is entering the industry in every department and maybe we will usher in the change
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MaryLele : tell me mr varma, does the male version of a casting couch exist? what have your own experiences been?
Suparn Verma : Mary it may exist for the males, I'm sure it does, but who would want a writer? I mean we are supposed to be creatures with dirty lice filled beards, khadi kurtas and gutka in our mouth and drunk before the end of the evening;-)
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shailesh : sir, I need ur help. may I have ur attention for a few minutes please?
Suparn Verma : Please! You have my full attention pal
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Chaliya : if Chhal was a big-budget film, and you had the choice, who would you have prefered to cast?
Suparn Verma : I don;t think Chhal would have got made the w it was written if we had a bigger cast. The idea of having protagonists without giving each one of them a backstory doesn't exist if you have big name stars. Because they would all require justification for who they are and what they do and why they do that. It would needed to be shown rather than expressed by them. I wrote Chhal without any faces, and Kay Kay and Prashant have done a stupendous job, so they are the faces of Chhal for me
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Chaliya : have you seen KK's other film Paanch? which do you think is better?
Suparn Verma : I haven't seen Paanch though I have told Anurag to show it to me twice:-( I hear its a very good film and am dying to see it
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Princess : are there any big banners among your future projects suparn? what are your future projects, by the way?
Suparn Verma : Am writing Feroz Khan's Janasheen, Harry Baweja's Qayamat, N R Pashicia's Zameen directed by Rohit Shetty, Shaadi.com and Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai by Hansal Mehta
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asma : Hi Mr Verma, The promos of your movie look pretty tempting in the sense that one shouldnt miss it
Suparn Verma : Then please do see it:-)
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JeLoMeinAagaya : Tell us about the women in your films, suparn. any romantic tangle with you, or is it just good friends? lol
Suparn Verma : I don't think one should look for friends within the actors circle. It's more important to have a good working relationship, whereby you can work with a variety of actors all your career instead of sticking wit one good friend. Frindship and work don't go very well in an industry filled with insecurity. However you do make some friends as you go along and thsoe you treasure. As far as the ladies in the industry go, I don't shit where I eat:-) So...
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Leher : Suparn what credentials are required to tak eup script writing as a fulltime profession?
Suparn Verma : I have no creditials, I used to be journalist in rediff.com and my stories were grounded in reality not fiction;-) But writing films is something I wanted to do, had been writing on the quiet putting away ideas for a long time....and Chhal happened
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Chaliya : How many film scripts before you turn director? be honest.
Suparn Verma : Dunno, enough to have enough money in the savings account so that when I take off as a director I have enough money to tide me for two years. Coz generally the perception is that once a writer turns a director he doesn't write for outside productions, though I wouldn't mind coz it's always interesting to see another filmmakers interpretation of what you write. In that regard I have been lucky because Chhal saw Hansal and me agreeing on every aspect of what the film should be all about.
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tanmay : which is your favourite scene in CHAAL?
Suparn Verma : The pre finale confrontation between the two protagonists, then the scene on the boat between Prashant and Kay Kay and the opening scene of the film where we killed Apurva Asrani who is also the editor of the film in a public toilet, its sooooo cool!
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khjua : Suparn .. Is it not correct that you people giving "Dhokha" to ordinary young people by Glamourising the Crime?
Suparn Verma : Chhal doesn't glamourise crime, neither does it give you a story of why they become gangsters, or glorify them, beisdes its from the point of view of a cop who infiltrates them, so it's quiet objective in it's approach, everytime you find yourself feeling too much for a gangster he does something henious, and when you are just about to hate him he does something human, so you never get too close to them just like Kay Kay's character until the end and when he does get to close he realises the danger
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Indian_rediff : Hi Supps!! Congrats dude!! Remember me? Indian??
Suparn Verma : Saiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii hey mate:-) Chhal will release in the US in a straight DVD form on the 9th:-) watch it and mail me on hyperactiv@rediffmail.com
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Friend : Hi!Pal..I had seen ur craze for playing computer games on holidays..do u still get time to play?
Suparn Verma : I play a whole game before working every night, try out Age of Conquerors its an amazing strategy game
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Chaliya : any Hindi film that you wish you had written?
Suparn Verma : Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron that is the god of all Hindi films. That is one film I had written
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suparndavermie : hi suparn, what's it like to have your first film ready to hit the big screen?
Suparn Verma : Its an extremely nerve wracking experience coz now everything is out off your hand
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srikanth : Suparn...whts ur inspiration behind ur script or story writings?
Suparn Verma : Chhal isnt inspired, it has nothing to do with Donnie Brasco, Serpico, Prince of the City or any other film:-) Howerever I have seen all these films. I watch a lot of films and they simply inspire me to slog my butt harder and try and achieve a quarter of what they have
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KAKA : AGAR FILMI LEKHAK NA HOTEY TO ROTI KAMANE KE LIYE KYA KARTE
Suparn Verma : Rediff mein bahut acchi naukri thi ussi mein kaam karta aur khush rehta
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chetan_a : This Nitin Patil (the producer) is from Nashik?
Suparn Verma : Yup he is a builder from Nashik and a very gutsy guy
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Chaliya : are you scared of the reviews Chhal might get? do you think bad reviews can spoil a good film? how does it feel now that you cannot write your own film's review?
Suparn Verma : I'm not scared about the reveiws Chhal will get, because reviews have never decided the fate of a film, if a film works the audiences make it work becaue it is worth running if they bring it down then it must be bad. I remember on the sets of Chachi 420 Kamal Hassan was giving an interview and he said 'you have to respect your audience becaus ethey are the same people who made Mother India and Mughal-E-Azam a hit' so I guess if they have the intelligence to make sure such films hit it big time they even better critics now in the age of satellite TV
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khallas : how long did it tak u to complete the script? and how did u take to writing?
Suparn Verma : Chhal took 2 weeks to write, Yeh Kya Ho Raha hai took one week to write, Chhal was shot in 40 days and YKHRH in 50:-) As for the biggies they take time to write, though I would prefer to finish off subjects in 2 weeks, do two re-writes and polishing jobs in another two, that way the effort is more concentrated.
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Princess : similarities between chhal and company, suparn? or are they in one's mind only?
Suparn Verma : They don't exist except the mileu is the same--the underworld. Company is about two warring dons, Chhal is about a cop infiltrating the underworld.
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ajaz2kool : how did u end up with writing for Janashen for Firoz Khan - seeing that his previous movie was a disaster
Suparn Verma : Every filmmakers has hits and flops, Feroz Khan had a flop too, big deal! Ram Gopal Varma reccomended me to Mr Khan and that's how Janasheen happened to me
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StephenKing : DID U LIKE DEVDAS? :D
Suparn Verma : Yup I liked Devdas, hated the opened scene though. It had SRK's career best performance and Sanjay Leela Bhansali has done an awesome job
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Chaliya : do you have any control over a story after you have submitted the script to a filmmaker? like example can you ensure Feroz Khan does not change Jaanasheen as per his choices?
Suparn Verma : In India no writer has any control over his script after he gives it. It only depends on how closely you are involved with the film and the intellegence of the filmmaker. I have been lucky in that regard and Feroz Khan never shoots anything unless he is sure its working on paper.
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hritik : HI SUPANA, HOW DID YOU THINK OF THOSE INTIMATE SCENES?
Suparn Verma : There is only one in the song where Kay makes luv to Jaya Sea, don't take much to think of that does it?;-) The scene where she washes his hair in the salon, thats something I always wanted my chsracters to do because I read this storyline of a film called The Barbers Wife where the barber got his kicks fondling his wife while she would cut a customers hair. The idea remained with me and came out here.....no connection to the original but now you know the geneisis
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hritik : IS IT EASY TO WRITE A THRILLER WITH SUSPENCE OR A LOVE STORY?
Suparn Verma : Nothing comes easy my friend
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superkhan : did u do any research for your movie CHHAL? or did u write it purely out of your imagination...
Suparn Verma : No it didn't have any research, just reading newspapers every day gives you enough info, for the rest you can let your imagination wander. I guess what you soak in when you read lends itself to 'research' but I rather write a story for the fun of it and research only certain technicalities as and when needed. Anyway I'm too much of a nosy parker with an appetite to know EVERYTHING, being a pain in the butt helps
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chhaliya : what is the story of shaadi.com? don't you think there are too many movies made on weddings, and serials also, of course, but they're all hypocritic in nature? not one of them depicts reality
Suparn Verma : The story of shaadi.com examines a couple in the first 12 months of marriage, it has no saas bahu angle. It is a funny film where a couple re-examines their relationship from the transtition of being boyfriend girlfriend to be man and wife and falling in love once again
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spooky : will you be able to write on a subject given to you a or develope a theme or idea
Suparn Verma : I do that too, either I devise the whole thing or I'm given an idea to develop
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gouravaich : what is the significance of the film's title?
Suparn Verma : Chhal means deciet, the tagline is A World of Lies, the whole film starts with a cop deciving the underworld, the cop being decevieved by his own people and his own sense of whats right or wrong and walking the razors edge till he does what is right for him.
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gouravaich : plz tell frankly, what r ur expectations with the film, keeping in mind the Indian viewers?
Suparn Verma : Chhal will work well
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Chaliya : would the success or failure of Chhal make a difference to your other films? i mean, would other directors start making changes or demanding rewrites if this film fails?
Suparn Verma : *lol* Thats something I'm paranoid about, but no it won't happen because Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai is ready for release, Janasheen is 75% ready, Qayamat and Zameen has a screenplay in which every scene balances the next so you can't just change stuff randomly, I guess creating a watertight screenplay is not just a professional need for me but also my insurance policy
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Chaliya : do you think you can write a family drama as well?
Suparn Verma : I guess so, but am very sad I missed the bus to write any of the Bhagat Singh movies, I mean they were maing five of them and I couldn't sell myself to even one
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gouravaich : well, is writing scripts on underworld and crime is a sure path to success because that is what we are seeing nowadays..e.g.company,aankhen,satya..
Suparn Verma : Good for me then eh
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StephenKing : SUPARN DID U LIKE DEVDAS? DO U THINK ALL THAT MONEY WAS JUSTIFIED THAT WENT ABOUT IN MAKING THAT A FILM?
Suparn Verma : I liked Devdas, it couldn't have looked the way it did minus the money that went into it, its just 5% of what a Hollywood film costs
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vicky1 : suparn can u tell about ur next movie"YEH KYA HO RAHA HAI".....ITS PROMOS R REALLY INTERESTING......WILL U TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT IT
Suparn Verma : Its about four guys who want to get laid and discover that love and sex are completely different, it's about the process of growing up, the end of innocence, of fun things we did when we were in college. It's also a film after which my friends will disown me because I stole liberally from the experiences as well as mine
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chandpuri : Hi Supan I am also a writer wanting to make it in Bollywood. How the life of a script writer in Bollywood. Is Story writing a decent job in the film line and how did you pursue it as a career
Suparn Verma : Its a great career my friend, just need to learn patience
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gouravaich : what is ur area of interest when u think of writing a script...in other words, what attracts u the most?
Suparn Verma : The idea of making money;-) Seriously though it is such a kick writing a big lie, people spendinmg crores to put the lie on film and people coming to watch the lie and pay you to lie:-) And the one who is most successful is the one who lies best. I want to be the world's greatest liar!
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Princess : will there be a sequel to shaadi.com, called barbaadi.com? lol
Suparn Verma : ideally it would be divorce.com na?:-)
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Ipsit1 : HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY R U SEEING THIS MATTER I AM REQUESTING PLease PLease PLease answer, How a story writer deffrent from script writer?
Suparn Verma : Ispit1, Jack and Jill Went Up the Hill to fetch a pail of water Jack Fell down and broke his crown and Jill came tumbling after is the STORY! Describing how they went up and also avoided the snake on the way, and how wonderful the weather was and then it started to snow and they were caught in a blizzard and how they somehow reached up the hill and describing how they fetched the water and what happened the Jack Fell down and describing how Jill went to save him and tumbled after is the SCREENPLAY
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Princess : seriously suparn, tell me, isn't a scriptwriter like a woman who has rented her womb? i mean, both conceive, and hand over the outcome to others to develop... how it turns out then, depends not so much on their brilliance but on others' genius or lack of it?
Suparn Verma : You stole this quote:-)
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chandpuri : Suparn how many films do you have on Hand? Do you think writing a lot of scripts together you can do justice to all. I will be more patient for an answer this time
Suparn Verma : I guess I am able to handle them so I dont know about advising the same to anyone else. Its what you can take. For example I dont drink more than 4 pegs your capacity might be 14.....for you to find out
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StephenKing : Were u always into writing and dramatics? Considering ur so good looking did u ever think of becoming an actor?
Suparn Verma : I saw my face in the mirror when I was 12 and gave up ALL PLANS OF EVER BECOMING AN ACTOR, plus I speak too fast! Though I do enjoy making cameo appearances in my movies and telling all the girls I know to watch out for me;-)
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chandpuri : Considering the state of the films today don't you think the producers and directors have to be more creative in thinking rather than dance and fight a minute sequence stuff? Do the producers in Bollywood realise the value of a good script?
Suparn Verma : We are an actor dominated industry, after that comes the music, then the script, so by the time you are through writing roles around an actor and fitting in six songs you also make way for an story. LUCKILY with the industry going through a bad phase a lot of soul searching has been taking place and the script is gaining its weight once again and it HELPS being in the industry NOW at this point when you can help make the change
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gouravaich : suparn, r u married?'lol'
Suparn Verma : Nope
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Princess : seriously suparn, tell me, isn't a scriptwriter like a woman who has rented her womb? i mean, both conceive, and hand over the outcome to others to develop... how it turns out then, depends not so much on their brilliance but on others' genius or lack of it?
Suparn Verma : Yeah but atleast you can choose in whose hands the outcome depends, you can always say NO to peopl who are gonna screw around with your baby. Everyone can give birth, its being a good parent that makes sure how your baby turns out
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Chaliya : what you gave up at the age of 12 was ALL PLANS OF EVER BECOMING A HERO. one can be an actor with whatever face one has. right naseer, om puri, manoj bajpai??
Suparn Verma : yeah at 12 I wanted to be the guy who would bash up Amrish Puri. It was only at 21 that I realised I was a fool, I should have been the guy who raped the heroine thrice before the sucker hero realised he wasn't getting any and beat me up in the 19th reel;-) but I guess I was too late for that
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chandpuri : Suparn how good are our copywrite laws? Like if you narrate a story to a producer or director how much chances are there of it being copied inspite of story being registered?
Suparn Verma : Registering your story does help, registering helps more in terms of non-payment that reminds me I have yet to sign up:-)
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Suparn Verma : Bye guys, thank you so much, I hope you guys see Chhal and enjoy yourself. I'm sure it will give you value for your time and money, Ciao
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Madhur Bahndarkar
Madhur Bahndarkar
Transcript of LIVE CHAT with Director,Madhur Bhndarkar at 16.30 hrs on Tuesday, February 15, 2004 in Mumbai
Madhur Bhandarkar
Director
"If not a filmmaker, I'd have been a (film) journalist because from childhood I've been reading gossip magazines and my knowledge of cinema is very good"
Mogsfd > Hi, how does it feel to be admired by all after receiving brick bats, accusations and facing court cases in your personal life?
Madhur Bhandarkar > Well, I feel great because the support I received from my family, friends, film fraternity and the audience for my movie Page3 ; they have seen the movie twice and thrice.
Clod > What was the reason for making Page3 ?
Madhur Bhandarkar > I used to go to so many parties and met so many (different) people. I saw the entire rainbow of people come under one roof. Therefore, I thought to myself that why not make a film on Page3 (lifestyle. Besides, the tile 'Page3' was in itself very exciting to make the film.
Beja > Do you hold in contempt the elite and high society, that's what shows in your film? Is that why you really made Page3 ?
Madhur Bhandarkar > No, I don't hold (anyone) in contempt because I myself attend parties, and if you see the film it's not a judgmental film.
Sunilmehar > Which are your forth coming movies?
Madhur Bhandarkar > I am just working on script right now . It's too early to talk about it. I am enjoying my success right now!
Kish > Which one is your all time favourite movie?
Madhur Bhandarkar > 'Guide'(Dev Anand).
Tina > You spared the media in your film when actually 'Page3' is their creation. Why? Are you scared of the media and don't want to rub them the wrong way? Or, do you want to appease the media and get them on your side, forever?
Madhur Bhandarkar > No, it's nothing like that. It's the subject of one journalist - Madhavi Sharma – played by Konkana Sen Sharma.
Manie > Apart from Konkona, who do you think could have played the role of a journalist better? Wouldn't Rani have been better?
Madhur Bhandarkar > Initially, I wanted Kareena (Kapoor)to play the role, but her dates wouldn't match. And I wanted to start the movie fast. So I approached Konkona for the role. And the mould of the character was in keeping with Konkona's image in mind. I would love to work with Rani and Kareena in the future.
Jamila > What sort of preparation did you do for Page3 ? Must say that most of your facts even regarding journalist's role and work was very clear and correct.
Madhur Bhandarkar > I met a lot of journalists who gave their inputs in the film. I generally do a lot of research work. And along with my writers I attended a lot of Page 3 parties. Also, I took Konkona for rides in the train (for her to get the feel of the life).
Kish > Tell me the name of flop movie which you always liked, as a director?
Madhur Bhandarkar > Always loved Guru Dutt's Kaagaz Ke Phool .
John > Wouldn't you agree that journos or media are responsible for creating page 3 people? Why did you not show that angle in your film? Don't want to awaken the sleeping lion, is it?
Madhur Bhandarkar > No, it's not like that. As a film maker there are lots of things I wanted to show in the film, but keeping the time in mind I had to cut 15 minutes of the film. One can't show everything in that span of time.
Clod > Generally, what inspires you to make films?
Madhur Bhandarkar > As I don't have any other alternative business, reality and subjects that really come close to my heart when I see something (inspire me).
Front page > Are you a very serious kind of person?
Madhur Bhandarkar > Absolutely not. I am a very humourous person- very happy, go lucky.
Front page > Do you think the movie BLACK can fetch the Oscar (awards) for India?
Madhur Bhandarkar > Definitely, we should try for it. I think, this year, two great movies released - Page 3 and BLACK. We definitely have the potential to bag the Oscar Awards.
Neha > Why did you choose Konkona for the role?
Madhur Bhandarkar > I felt that she has the girl-next-door image. She looks like a girl who travels in the train and autos. And she looks like a (regular) journalist.
Mannie > What is your reaction to the comments that you choose good subjects but your films lack technical excellence like a Subhash Ghai's films. Do you agree with this? If yes, are we going to see better technically made films from you in the future?
Madhur Bhandarkar > The kind of budget I have to follow for my films I can only give attention to the content. However, definitely when I make a big budget film then you will see the (sophisticated) technique and content, together.
Rogi > If not a filmmaker, what would you have been?
Madhur Bhandarkar > If not a filmmaker, I'd have been a film journalist because from childhood I've been reading gossip magazines and my knowledge of cinema is very good. I have seen all the films from 50s to 90s; I was aware of the directors, producers of most films, the actors etc
Sign Off Message > Thanks a lot. I love you all. Please patronise good cinema and encourage and my hopes to retain good cinema. Love, Madhur Bhandarkar.
Transcript of LIVE CHAT with Director,Madhur Bhndarkar at 16.30 hrs on Tuesday, February 15, 2004 in Mumbai
Madhur Bhandarkar
Director
"If not a filmmaker, I'd have been a (film) journalist because from childhood I've been reading gossip magazines and my knowledge of cinema is very good"
Mogsfd > Hi, how does it feel to be admired by all after receiving brick bats, accusations and facing court cases in your personal life?
Madhur Bhandarkar > Well, I feel great because the support I received from my family, friends, film fraternity and the audience for my movie Page3 ; they have seen the movie twice and thrice.
Clod > What was the reason for making Page3 ?
Madhur Bhandarkar > I used to go to so many parties and met so many (different) people. I saw the entire rainbow of people come under one roof. Therefore, I thought to myself that why not make a film on Page3 (lifestyle. Besides, the tile 'Page3' was in itself very exciting to make the film.
Beja > Do you hold in contempt the elite and high society, that's what shows in your film? Is that why you really made Page3 ?
Madhur Bhandarkar > No, I don't hold (anyone) in contempt because I myself attend parties, and if you see the film it's not a judgmental film.
Sunilmehar > Which are your forth coming movies?
Madhur Bhandarkar > I am just working on script right now . It's too early to talk about it. I am enjoying my success right now!
Kish > Which one is your all time favourite movie?
Madhur Bhandarkar > 'Guide'(Dev Anand).
Tina > You spared the media in your film when actually 'Page3' is their creation. Why? Are you scared of the media and don't want to rub them the wrong way? Or, do you want to appease the media and get them on your side, forever?
Madhur Bhandarkar > No, it's nothing like that. It's the subject of one journalist - Madhavi Sharma – played by Konkana Sen Sharma.
Manie > Apart from Konkona, who do you think could have played the role of a journalist better? Wouldn't Rani have been better?
Madhur Bhandarkar > Initially, I wanted Kareena (Kapoor)to play the role, but her dates wouldn't match. And I wanted to start the movie fast. So I approached Konkona for the role. And the mould of the character was in keeping with Konkona's image in mind. I would love to work with Rani and Kareena in the future.
Jamila > What sort of preparation did you do for Page3 ? Must say that most of your facts even regarding journalist's role and work was very clear and correct.
Madhur Bhandarkar > I met a lot of journalists who gave their inputs in the film. I generally do a lot of research work. And along with my writers I attended a lot of Page 3 parties. Also, I took Konkona for rides in the train (for her to get the feel of the life).
Kish > Tell me the name of flop movie which you always liked, as a director?
Madhur Bhandarkar > Always loved Guru Dutt's Kaagaz Ke Phool .
John > Wouldn't you agree that journos or media are responsible for creating page 3 people? Why did you not show that angle in your film? Don't want to awaken the sleeping lion, is it?
Madhur Bhandarkar > No, it's not like that. As a film maker there are lots of things I wanted to show in the film, but keeping the time in mind I had to cut 15 minutes of the film. One can't show everything in that span of time.
Clod > Generally, what inspires you to make films?
Madhur Bhandarkar > As I don't have any other alternative business, reality and subjects that really come close to my heart when I see something (inspire me).
Front page > Are you a very serious kind of person?
Madhur Bhandarkar > Absolutely not. I am a very humourous person- very happy, go lucky.
Front page > Do you think the movie BLACK can fetch the Oscar (awards) for India?
Madhur Bhandarkar > Definitely, we should try for it. I think, this year, two great movies released - Page 3 and BLACK. We definitely have the potential to bag the Oscar Awards.
Neha > Why did you choose Konkona for the role?
Madhur Bhandarkar > I felt that she has the girl-next-door image. She looks like a girl who travels in the train and autos. And she looks like a (regular) journalist.
Mannie > What is your reaction to the comments that you choose good subjects but your films lack technical excellence like a Subhash Ghai's films. Do you agree with this? If yes, are we going to see better technically made films from you in the future?
Madhur Bhandarkar > The kind of budget I have to follow for my films I can only give attention to the content. However, definitely when I make a big budget film then you will see the (sophisticated) technique and content, together.
Rogi > If not a filmmaker, what would you have been?
Madhur Bhandarkar > If not a filmmaker, I'd have been a film journalist because from childhood I've been reading gossip magazines and my knowledge of cinema is very good. I have seen all the films from 50s to 90s; I was aware of the directors, producers of most films, the actors etc
Sign Off Message > Thanks a lot. I love you all. Please patronise good cinema and encourage and my hopes to retain good cinema. Love, Madhur Bhandarkar.
Kalpana Lajmi
'Raveena deserved the award'
Bombay, 18 April 2001: The controversy over the National Awards and Daman's had many people log on for the chat with the film director.
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Hi everybody, I'm eagerly waiting to talk to all of you
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nandini : HI KALPANA, DID U HAVE ANYONE ELSE IN MIND FOR RAVEENA'S ROLE? OR WAS SHE THE FIRST CHOICE
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I had initially thought of the role Raveena has played as that of a 40-45 year old woman and I approached Dimpl Kapadia to play the lead but since she did not express any desire to do so and Raveena had approached me on her own I went ahead with her and changed the age to early 30s.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karan : Hi!!! Why dont u do a subject dealing with men for a change? :) We men have lots of problems too :(
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I have dealt in a film the problems men have faced, Darmiyaan was my last film, which dealt with a male protagonist played by Arif Zakaria and his conflict about coming to terms with his sexuality.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
maku : i think pradeep krishen is a frustrated man? what r ur views?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : *lol* No comments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brijesh : Hello madamI heard you just sign Karisma to play your Chief Ministerji
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Yes I have Infact yesterday we finalsed all the details in principle Karisma Kapoor has agreed to play th role of a woman politician in my movie Chief Minitsrji. In June 2001 we will formalise the agreement and go on floors by April 2002 for a 40 day schedule.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vinod : How do you rate dimple and raveena
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Dimple Kapadia is a bundle of aesthetics and has a great del of wounded maturity and a more of an emotionally responsive actress whereas Raveena is far more collected a personality temperamentally strong punctual and professional and in a strange way enjoys her work to an extent which is her plus point therefore making her a more prolific actress.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
babai : hi kalpana whats ur view about daman
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Daman is a film which hopes to create an awareness in society about the existence of domestic violence in upper middle class socity as a filmmaker I have not issued any solutions to the problem but I have presented the matter to the audience in exactly the way it exists today.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vinod : Why u make all glamorous bollywood actresses to act in ur movies. is it because that u keep in mind the commercial aspect rather than going for complete perfection?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I think I can achieve complete perfection having a glamours Hini film actress and I have proven it in Ek Pal with Shabana Azmi, Rudaali with Dimple Kapadia and Daman with Raveena Tandon. You are right commericially it is far more viable to reach out to a market to a wider audience with a presence of a star, Kiron Kher in Darmiyaan despite giving a brilliant and courageous performance not having star value failed to reach out to a wider audience thereby Darmiyaan too failed commericially.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vinod : But the real achievement is that when u make an art movie reach a wider audience.right??
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Yes infact I'm so happy you have made this tstatement because I have noticed that only in India that art is looked upon in such a derogatory fashion. Individually I feel that art and aesthtics combined with entertainement is the idea platfrom for a filmmaker to be a complete story teller Only then will that particular project suceed, even tragedy can be entertaining and riveting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
avssharma : you all ways choose the diffrent storys, on diffrent cultures, how you get thise ideyas.who is real inseperetion for you in life?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Some times a short story, sometimes a novel at times an article in a newspaper and at times actual incidents around me, all contribute to my decisions in my choosing subjects.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
jaya : does raveena deserve the national award?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Yes, I think so, once you see the film for yourself you will realise she has meritouriously deserved the National award, though personally I'm proud the Karisma Kapoor i Zubeidaa and Fiza and Tabu in Astitiva who were in the reckoning also have given equally brilliant performances repsectively.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tashneem : You have filmed many of your films in Assam--what was the experinec like?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I havent made many films in Assam, two, my first and my most recent, Ek Pal and Daman and yes I have made a serial called Lohit ke Kinare in 1988. The reason being Bhupen Hazarika's strong influence in my appreciating that state for its culture, music landscape and its peoples.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vinod : Kalpana, when and how will be your contribution in taking the indian cinema to the level of oscar? do you have any specific plans for that in the long run??
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : My film Rudaali was Indias foriegn language film for the Oscars in 1994. But when I see world cinema I'm well aware of the fact that I have a great dea more to learn, grow and develop as a filmmaker before weaving dreams of sharing laurels at the Oscars with giants like Speilberg and others...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brijesh : Mam how do you rate Karisma as an actress and human
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Karisma Kapoor is a very fine actress the little I have met of her, she comes across as a very well balanced and mature person forb one who is so young. I'm sure with these qualities she will go very far in life, both as a human being and as a professional.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
rishu : why dont you take nandita das ....in your movie as she is perffect for that kind of movies..ans she is talented to??
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : First of all I think it is right that you slot Nandita Das as an actress who does 'those kind' of movie I dont undetstand what you mean by those kind of movies. But yes we have talekd to each other and if there is a sbject in future which we mutually like then I'm sure we will work together.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BhupenDa : What are your future projects? Apart from women related issues are you planning some other other social issues relatiing to child labour or socially oppressed groups
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I am trying to make a film on the reasons of insugency in North East but on a more humane level, and otherwise very immediately a film which is a thriller about obessive love.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Krishna : Can't you plan a movie with Rekha as heroine? I think she has the calibre and maturity.
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I had approached Rekka for Darmiyaan, but rejected doing the role saying it was too close to her life I do hope in future we both can work together on a project that mutually satisfies us.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
puja : Kalpanaji, how was it working with a govt. dept. as producers?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Very tough:-)Because there is no infrastructure with the gvernemnt to understand the discipline of filmmaking, merely financing is not enough, a cell has to be opened within their dept to understand and appreciatie the painstankingly slow procedure of making a film from its insception on paper till its release in the market. I am of course extremely grateful to the dept of family welfare GOI for having chosen me to make this subject which was my choice.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
santosh : In this era what type of films are neccessary for the youg peoples?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Films that have fun, entertainement and yet underline a corect value system
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SRK : Was Sayaji Shinde your first choice for the role. It comes across as a role that Nana Patekar excells in.
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : You are right Sayaji was my first choice for the role and I equate him as an equaly great actor as Nana Patekar.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mohinder : Its just a wish not a question. As u take up the motive in ur films of a particular family or a common problem of a common human being. its good to raise these type of issues. i mean a real issues. though u can't get much as the commercial film usually do. butgood form entire society. Wish u all the best. mohinder
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Thank you very much
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
amita_t : kalpanji, how come commercial actors are not interested in working in art films nowdays
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : True but very sad, the actresses are far more open to chellenging roles, today we have not only Tabu, Raveena and Krisma, but I have been approched by Sushmita Sen, Mahima and Shilpa Shetty, all who are very young and at the pea of the careers. Governed by market com;plusions preferring to be known more as bbrand equities rather than as brand actors, the male stars today prefer today not to take up challenges and is more complacent in the traditional mould and safety of playing the chocolate boy formula hero.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
buddy : hello ma'm why do people in the so called intelectual (read cocktail)circuit look down upon the native story telling like we have in the main stream movies
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I have never ever looked down about mainstream cinema, and never claimed in public or privte that it shouldnt exist, I havd alays claimed that why cant we have logical reality instead of distorted reality.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scorsese : Why do u equate 'good'cinema with cinema having women protagonists
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Not necessary, not all good cinema needs to have women as protagonists, it deoends on the subject, one can have a male, a child or even an animal.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
gana : Hi Kalpana, Do you belive in portraying the truth as it is ?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : However Harsh, YES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
tiger : ANIL KAPOORS PUKAR WAS HIGHLIGHTING KARGIL WAR - WHICH VAJPAYEE WANT TO REWARD = ANIL KAPOOR GETTING NATIONAL AWARD FOR STUPID ACTING ! WHAT RAVEENA & U DID FOR VAJPAYEE/BJP ?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I have not seen Pukar so I cannot comment and Raveena has stated very firmly that she has never campaiGned for BJP and I'm sorry to dissapoint you but I do not belong to any political party and no political party has colourted or influenced my work.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ravinder : hello kalpana ji how are you what are the future plans that you have in respect to the movies will you continue with the same kind of movies that you are are making at the moment or will youchange the trach?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : By changing track if you mean am I gonna make candy floss formula film? No. But my future subjects could also be happy ones and yet have substance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Krishna : I think (since I have not seen it) your last film dealt with marital oppression/rape etc, depicting the male dominate family system. But why can't you plan a film where the female is destroying an innocent man's married life? I have a personal experience by which I was forced to opt for a divorce within less than 6 months of marriage?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I'm sorry to hear about your situation, which I'm sure does exist in large nos in society and if some day a subject revolving around this situation excites me enough I'd just may go ahead and film it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
gana : Portraying truth as it is(Yathartvad) maybe ok on one count But don't you think portraying Adarshvad is even more important?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : But truth and principles are entiwned, both cannot be segregated from each other.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
dharminder : hello, i only want to ask you ist the reason that being a women , you have undertood yourself very deeply adn get encourage and so preparing films based on womens. what is man level/image in your view.
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I've always felt that man is an equal counterpart to awoman and neither can live without each other.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
tarun : Hai Kalapna Ji,first of all I would like to compliment U on the lovely theme movies u make.My question to U is that do U get enough returns for the movies U make and do U really influence the society by making ur theme based movies?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Sometimes the films do not give back the monetary returns one expects, buyt if more friends like you communicate with me, it means my films has influenced society.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nandu : kalpanaji..how 'bout makin a film with bacchan (big B)
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I would LOVE to.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ravina : What message you want to convey to low/upper middle class women from ur film Daman?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I think the film will speak for itself, that one should implement ones education, not lose self esteem, garner courage and try to break out of a trapped marriage and its equally the responsiblity of friends and social peer group and family peer group to help such traumatised women to start life afresh.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
raja : Since the backdrop of your movie is Assam, how do you expect the people of Assam to react towards DAMAN ??
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I dont know but we must remember that domestic violence is a unversal phenomenon. It doesnt meant that domestic violence exists only in Assam, we just happened to choose that beautidul state and there the resembelance ends.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I'm very happy to have chatted with all of you today, please do buy a ticket and go and see Daman in the theaters.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bombay, 18 April 2001: The controversy over the National Awards and Daman's had many people log on for the chat with the film director.
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Hi everybody, I'm eagerly waiting to talk to all of you
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nandini : HI KALPANA, DID U HAVE ANYONE ELSE IN MIND FOR RAVEENA'S ROLE? OR WAS SHE THE FIRST CHOICE
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I had initially thought of the role Raveena has played as that of a 40-45 year old woman and I approached Dimpl Kapadia to play the lead but since she did not express any desire to do so and Raveena had approached me on her own I went ahead with her and changed the age to early 30s.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karan : Hi!!! Why dont u do a subject dealing with men for a change? :) We men have lots of problems too :(
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I have dealt in a film the problems men have faced, Darmiyaan was my last film, which dealt with a male protagonist played by Arif Zakaria and his conflict about coming to terms with his sexuality.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
maku : i think pradeep krishen is a frustrated man? what r ur views?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : *lol* No comments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brijesh : Hello madamI heard you just sign Karisma to play your Chief Ministerji
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Yes I have Infact yesterday we finalsed all the details in principle Karisma Kapoor has agreed to play th role of a woman politician in my movie Chief Minitsrji. In June 2001 we will formalise the agreement and go on floors by April 2002 for a 40 day schedule.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vinod : How do you rate dimple and raveena
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Dimple Kapadia is a bundle of aesthetics and has a great del of wounded maturity and a more of an emotionally responsive actress whereas Raveena is far more collected a personality temperamentally strong punctual and professional and in a strange way enjoys her work to an extent which is her plus point therefore making her a more prolific actress.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
babai : hi kalpana whats ur view about daman
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Daman is a film which hopes to create an awareness in society about the existence of domestic violence in upper middle class socity as a filmmaker I have not issued any solutions to the problem but I have presented the matter to the audience in exactly the way it exists today.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vinod : Why u make all glamorous bollywood actresses to act in ur movies. is it because that u keep in mind the commercial aspect rather than going for complete perfection?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I think I can achieve complete perfection having a glamours Hini film actress and I have proven it in Ek Pal with Shabana Azmi, Rudaali with Dimple Kapadia and Daman with Raveena Tandon. You are right commericially it is far more viable to reach out to a market to a wider audience with a presence of a star, Kiron Kher in Darmiyaan despite giving a brilliant and courageous performance not having star value failed to reach out to a wider audience thereby Darmiyaan too failed commericially.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vinod : But the real achievement is that when u make an art movie reach a wider audience.right??
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Yes infact I'm so happy you have made this tstatement because I have noticed that only in India that art is looked upon in such a derogatory fashion. Individually I feel that art and aesthtics combined with entertainement is the idea platfrom for a filmmaker to be a complete story teller Only then will that particular project suceed, even tragedy can be entertaining and riveting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
avssharma : you all ways choose the diffrent storys, on diffrent cultures, how you get thise ideyas.who is real inseperetion for you in life?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Some times a short story, sometimes a novel at times an article in a newspaper and at times actual incidents around me, all contribute to my decisions in my choosing subjects.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
jaya : does raveena deserve the national award?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Yes, I think so, once you see the film for yourself you will realise she has meritouriously deserved the National award, though personally I'm proud the Karisma Kapoor i Zubeidaa and Fiza and Tabu in Astitiva who were in the reckoning also have given equally brilliant performances repsectively.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tashneem : You have filmed many of your films in Assam--what was the experinec like?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I havent made many films in Assam, two, my first and my most recent, Ek Pal and Daman and yes I have made a serial called Lohit ke Kinare in 1988. The reason being Bhupen Hazarika's strong influence in my appreciating that state for its culture, music landscape and its peoples.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vinod : Kalpana, when and how will be your contribution in taking the indian cinema to the level of oscar? do you have any specific plans for that in the long run??
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : My film Rudaali was Indias foriegn language film for the Oscars in 1994. But when I see world cinema I'm well aware of the fact that I have a great dea more to learn, grow and develop as a filmmaker before weaving dreams of sharing laurels at the Oscars with giants like Speilberg and others...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brijesh : Mam how do you rate Karisma as an actress and human
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Karisma Kapoor is a very fine actress the little I have met of her, she comes across as a very well balanced and mature person forb one who is so young. I'm sure with these qualities she will go very far in life, both as a human being and as a professional.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
rishu : why dont you take nandita das ....in your movie as she is perffect for that kind of movies..ans she is talented to??
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : First of all I think it is right that you slot Nandita Das as an actress who does 'those kind' of movie I dont undetstand what you mean by those kind of movies. But yes we have talekd to each other and if there is a sbject in future which we mutually like then I'm sure we will work together.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BhupenDa : What are your future projects? Apart from women related issues are you planning some other other social issues relatiing to child labour or socially oppressed groups
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I am trying to make a film on the reasons of insugency in North East but on a more humane level, and otherwise very immediately a film which is a thriller about obessive love.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Krishna : Can't you plan a movie with Rekha as heroine? I think she has the calibre and maturity.
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I had approached Rekka for Darmiyaan, but rejected doing the role saying it was too close to her life I do hope in future we both can work together on a project that mutually satisfies us.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
puja : Kalpanaji, how was it working with a govt. dept. as producers?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Very tough:-)Because there is no infrastructure with the gvernemnt to understand the discipline of filmmaking, merely financing is not enough, a cell has to be opened within their dept to understand and appreciatie the painstankingly slow procedure of making a film from its insception on paper till its release in the market. I am of course extremely grateful to the dept of family welfare GOI for having chosen me to make this subject which was my choice.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
santosh : In this era what type of films are neccessary for the youg peoples?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Films that have fun, entertainement and yet underline a corect value system
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SRK : Was Sayaji Shinde your first choice for the role. It comes across as a role that Nana Patekar excells in.
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : You are right Sayaji was my first choice for the role and I equate him as an equaly great actor as Nana Patekar.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mohinder : Its just a wish not a question. As u take up the motive in ur films of a particular family or a common problem of a common human being. its good to raise these type of issues. i mean a real issues. though u can't get much as the commercial film usually do. butgood form entire society. Wish u all the best. mohinder
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Thank you very much
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
amita_t : kalpanji, how come commercial actors are not interested in working in art films nowdays
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : True but very sad, the actresses are far more open to chellenging roles, today we have not only Tabu, Raveena and Krisma, but I have been approched by Sushmita Sen, Mahima and Shilpa Shetty, all who are very young and at the pea of the careers. Governed by market com;plusions preferring to be known more as bbrand equities rather than as brand actors, the male stars today prefer today not to take up challenges and is more complacent in the traditional mould and safety of playing the chocolate boy formula hero.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
buddy : hello ma'm why do people in the so called intelectual (read cocktail)circuit look down upon the native story telling like we have in the main stream movies
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I have never ever looked down about mainstream cinema, and never claimed in public or privte that it shouldnt exist, I havd alays claimed that why cant we have logical reality instead of distorted reality.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scorsese : Why do u equate 'good'cinema with cinema having women protagonists
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Not necessary, not all good cinema needs to have women as protagonists, it deoends on the subject, one can have a male, a child or even an animal.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
gana : Hi Kalpana, Do you belive in portraying the truth as it is ?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : However Harsh, YES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
tiger : ANIL KAPOORS PUKAR WAS HIGHLIGHTING KARGIL WAR - WHICH VAJPAYEE WANT TO REWARD = ANIL KAPOOR GETTING NATIONAL AWARD FOR STUPID ACTING ! WHAT RAVEENA & U DID FOR VAJPAYEE/BJP ?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I have not seen Pukar so I cannot comment and Raveena has stated very firmly that she has never campaiGned for BJP and I'm sorry to dissapoint you but I do not belong to any political party and no political party has colourted or influenced my work.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ravinder : hello kalpana ji how are you what are the future plans that you have in respect to the movies will you continue with the same kind of movies that you are are making at the moment or will youchange the trach?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : By changing track if you mean am I gonna make candy floss formula film? No. But my future subjects could also be happy ones and yet have substance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Krishna : I think (since I have not seen it) your last film dealt with marital oppression/rape etc, depicting the male dominate family system. But why can't you plan a film where the female is destroying an innocent man's married life? I have a personal experience by which I was forced to opt for a divorce within less than 6 months of marriage?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I'm sorry to hear about your situation, which I'm sure does exist in large nos in society and if some day a subject revolving around this situation excites me enough I'd just may go ahead and film it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
gana : Portraying truth as it is(Yathartvad) maybe ok on one count But don't you think portraying Adarshvad is even more important?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : But truth and principles are entiwned, both cannot be segregated from each other.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
dharminder : hello, i only want to ask you ist the reason that being a women , you have undertood yourself very deeply adn get encourage and so preparing films based on womens. what is man level/image in your view.
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I've always felt that man is an equal counterpart to awoman and neither can live without each other.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
tarun : Hai Kalapna Ji,first of all I would like to compliment U on the lovely theme movies u make.My question to U is that do U get enough returns for the movies U make and do U really influence the society by making ur theme based movies?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : Sometimes the films do not give back the monetary returns one expects, buyt if more friends like you communicate with me, it means my films has influenced society.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nandu : kalpanaji..how 'bout makin a film with bacchan (big B)
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I would LOVE to.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ravina : What message you want to convey to low/upper middle class women from ur film Daman?
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I think the film will speak for itself, that one should implement ones education, not lose self esteem, garner courage and try to break out of a trapped marriage and its equally the responsiblity of friends and social peer group and family peer group to help such traumatised women to start life afresh.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
raja : Since the backdrop of your movie is Assam, how do you expect the people of Assam to react towards DAMAN ??
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I dont know but we must remember that domestic violence is a unversal phenomenon. It doesnt meant that domestic violence exists only in Assam, we just happened to choose that beautidul state and there the resembelance ends.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ms Kalpana Lajmi : I'm very happy to have chatted with all of you today, please do buy a ticket and go and see Daman in the theaters.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
'After Rang De, my next is a comedy'
February 06, 2006 17:02 IST
Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is on top of the world, with his Rang De Basanti turning into a massive multiplex sensation.
Rediff readers, who have their own opinions about the film, chatted up the director on Friday. For those who weren't there, here's all you missed:
Rakeysh Mehra : Hi guys lets go for it
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DJ : How long did it take to complete Rang De Basanthi
Rakeysh Mehra : 7 years of research-4years of writing-16 months in pre-production-4 months of shooting and 7 months of post production
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monalika : The movie was great but i just wished the end was not tragic but i guess thats the reality today...
Rakeysh Mehra : dear mmy next is a comedy so i guess i will not disapoint you next time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shrikant : Hi,everybodyI have no words to congrats u,sir
Rakeysh Mehra : hi syour support for RDB is more than any congragulations or rewards i can get
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEEJAY : SIRHOW DO CAME WITH THE IDEA OF THISSUCH AN AWSOME MOVIE
Rakeysh Mehra : i wanted to do a movie on the armed revolution of india but then no one identified with the the revolutionaries so we decided to juxtapose the periods and make it more relevent for the youth of today
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
icool : hi mr mehra how difficult was it for you to convince the producers about rang de after aks
Rakeysh Mehra : ronnie screwwala who is my co-producer was extremely supportive from day one, he believed in the script aswell
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
karnik2 : both ur films have been equal to 200 films
Rakeysh Mehra : hi K. sau sonar ki ek lohar ki
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
anoop : Hi Rakeysh, 2 questions from my friend in South Africa who thinks you are the best director. And 1 from me.1.) What is the status of the movie you have planned with Amitabh.2.) What happened to the edited DVD version of the "Aks" movie you had planned to release.3.) What do you think went wrong with "Aks" if you indeed think something went wrong?Thank you.
Rakeysh Mehra : hi anoop. 1.in writing 2.i will do a directors cut soon say another 6 months 3.the heart was in the right place but not the script
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monalika : Rakesh Ji was it very difficult to convice Aamir knowing how choosy he is about movies
Rakeysh Mehra : no once i narrated the script he decided in 5 mins
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AshPat : HI..this is from Singapore:personal opin: Fabulous first half; Downhill second half - almost a bit over the top. Almost making one wonder how can an intelligent team who made the first half make an unrealistic second half? Surely the defense minister wont go for walks with skeletal security ?
Rakeysh Mehra : but he does
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manpreet : RAKEYSHJI! Is it true you want AMITABH ... ABHISHEK ... JAYA in ur next film?? Which ACTRESS do u want with them??? RAKEYSHJI! Is it true you want AMITABH ... ABHISHEK ... JAYA in ur next film?? Which ACTRESS do u want with them??? RAKEYSHJI! Is it true you want AMITABH ... ABHISHEK ... JAYA in ur next film?? Which ACTRESS do u want with them???
Rakeysh Mehra : dear Mits not true
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
krish : RDB=Dil Chahtha Hai + The Legend of Bhagat Singh
Rakeysh Mehra : k, RDB=RDB
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
sachin : u didnt answer my question.is movie a copy of JESUS OF MONTREAL?
Rakeysh Mehra : dear si hav,nt even heard of a film by this name
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ammasan : HI RAKEYSH,CONGRATS FOR GIVING THE FIRST HIT OF THE YEAR.THOUGH A WELL MADE FILM WITH GREAT TECHNICAL BACKING I FEEL THE CLIMAX WAS A BIT OF A LET DOWN.DONT U FEEL THE SAME
Rakeysh Mehra : dear aon the contrary its uplifting for a bold and strong message to go thru one cannot be subtle
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chetna : Mr Rakeysh Mehra !! I haven't yet watched your film Rang De Basanti but have heard of the horse riding scene controversy . I don't understand the controversy created by animal rights activists over the scene. There is a rural sports festival held in Mullanpur in Punjab where animals are used extensively in various races. Did you have to edit that scene or not ? Do such trivial issues bother you brfore the release of the film ?
Rakeysh Mehra : dear chetnait was a shame that we had to do away with the nihangs riding the horses, i was quite sad
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
sapangoyal : Congrats Mr.Mehra, your film Rocks. Its a big Hit. I hope you and aamir make more films together. Its a flawless film. though the end was a bit unusual but it was good. Are you making your new film with the bachhan's and also you are leaving to USA for some script writing course? Thanks for making such a nice film
Rakeysh Mehra : yes i am giong to take a refreshers course in scripting, my next film is not casted yet
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heavybison : don't you think sharman was a revelation in rdb?
Rakeysh Mehra : sharman has always been a very respected theatre actor we were so lucky to have him
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niruppama : hi rakeshji how did u actually choose the other guys in the movie like(kunal,siddharth,madhavan,sharma joshi)
Rakeysh Mehra : dear nonce the script was done we went about casting it i had my wish list and i must say that we got most of them
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anoop : Thank you for answering. I have not seen RDB but only because I am unable to get any tickets here in Hyderabad. But all my colleagues have found it brillian. Congratulations you have a winner on your hands. Now the next question, as a writer, what was the craziest / most creative idea/script you had thought of? Could you work it out? Thanks
Rakeysh Mehra : dear ayet to think of that one
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sapangoyal : YOU ARE ALSO A GREAT CRICKETER,is it ??????
Rakeysh Mehra : use to play for my club in delhi and at times for the school team, actualy use to swim at national level
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cooldude : sir i know that u are making paanch kaurav or delhi 6 which one is comedy
Rakeysh Mehra : delhi-6 is a comedy
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Manpreet : Karan Johar - Aditya Chopra - Sanjay Leela Bhansali :: which do you admire most & why?
Rakeysh Mehra : bimal roy- guru dutt-v shantaram
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sapangoyal : Do you think all Indians are contributing well to this society or do you feel that there is a large room for improvement
Rakeysh Mehra : dear si think their is a massive room for improvement, if all of us decide to go straight then in one day not only India but the entire world will change
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bhavesh : Sir, thanks for giving one of the best movie. It is after a long time that i credied freely in the theatre on death of Madhavan. forget commercial sucess sir, you will be rememberd as a great filmmaker
Rakeysh Mehra : dear Bthanx for making RDB a success
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aamir_vicky : hello rakesh sir how are you
Rakeysh Mehra : i am fine , whats up
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ylawande : hey
Rakeysh Mehra : hey
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abhi : Hello Rakesh i saw yr film it was awesome fantastic. Issue raised by you was something that ever indian should atleast think about it atleast once. What you next venture or next plan all about. I like Acting of Siddhart and Kunal Kappoor and specially like Alice acting she was excellent in this film. Amir was usually brilant so not to mention his name. Looking forward to see yr next film. What is the project all about and wht makes you think to make film like this
Rakeysh Mehra : dear amy next film is a toss between a comedy or a caper will take a call soon.i believe that our audience have come off age which encourages me to raise the bar
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vishalchopra : hi rakeysh congrats to u for making such a sensible movie.ur cast for the movie was exelent any spl reasons for it????
Rakeysh Mehra : cause all were sincere towards their art and respected the script which in turn showed in their work
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viru : Hi rakesh, Great movie. u have made movie about the characters and not stars with great message. hats off to you. we expect nothing but better than this next time :)
Rakeysh Mehra : dear vwill give it my best shot
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Anurag : Sir..film buffs from across the world would love to hear a Director's Commentary track on the DVD whenever it's out. Any plans for the same?
Rakeysh Mehra : i plan do release dvd with the directors commentry after a while
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Shivaprasad : Hi rakeysh.. how big was an achievment for you to convince Aamir for RDB
Rakeysh Mehra : dear sthat aamir agreed to work on RDB was a great compliment for the screenplay not for me
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rohit : u always talk highly of aamir in all ur interviews how come u hav not casted him in bhairavi or delhi-6,any problems?plz reply
Rakeysh Mehra : love to work with aamir in my future projects but the role/story must suite him first
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KKK : SIR I WANT TO BE A FILMMAKER AND I M JUST SEVENTEEN!!COULD U TELL ME HOW SHUD I GO ABT IT?ALSO COULD U TELL ME THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SCRIPT AND A SCREENPLAY
Rakeysh Mehra : kkkif you are based out of india then you can start with one of the film courses in the US. if in india then you can join/assisty a film maker and learn on the job
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amarendra : Hi Rakeysh, do you have any plans to remake old classics like Mughal e Azam, Umrao Jaan etc.
Rakeysh Mehra : no plans at the moment their are loads of orignal ideas waiting to be made in the first place
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irshad : MR MEERA PLEASE REPLY ME
Rakeysh Mehra : dear I whats your Q
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Manpreet : RAKEYSH JI kitte gaye tussi kuch bol hi nahin rahe ab!
Rakeysh Mehra : ji bolo ji
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rediff : I think Range de basanti is the best of 2006...bcoz lasy year all films were based on sex like zeher,ashiq banaya...We all were waiting for a film like range de basanti and rahman rocks again with his brilliant music
Rakeysh Mehra : yeah AR was so kool
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anuj : sir,i hv liked ur movie a lot especially the concept..just wanted to know abt ur next movie which i think is Bhairavi...are you planning to take Mr.A.R.Rahman as he has done a phenomenal job in RDB?
Rakeysh Mehra : my next is not bhairavi but Delhi 6 or 5k
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sapangoyal : You didn't take any well known female actor in RDB, none interest you or are there any particule ones you'd like to work with in the future ... IF SO, whom?
Rakeysh Mehra : love to work with rani,tabu,
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Prasad : Dear Mr Mehra what made you to decide to go for a UK actress rather than an Indian actress
Rakeysh Mehra : sue mclinly is a Brithisher in the story
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greatMovieRDB : Rakeysh: Should one call u a pessimist or an optimist after watching RDB
Rakeysh Mehra : what do ya think
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jazzu : if not aamir then who wld have done the same job in RDB
Rakeysh Mehra : can,t think of another DJ
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rocky123 : Just wanted to know how much will u take between films ....because can't wait so long for good movies ..... and don't make Karan johar kind of crap ..... please
Rakeysh Mehra : once all is correct in trms of all departments then i will go on the floors it can take me a month or ten years
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ll : hi, i want to aks you one thing. can we see independent film makers revolution in India, if not started yet with guys like you
Rakeysh Mehra : thanx for aksing the Q, i think india is a haven for indi film makers
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sapangoyal : rakyesh, you haven't been fair to me....please answer any of these two questions: 1. do you think your movie has any chance of oscar nomination given the portrayal of corrupt system? we always send movies which have tourism value (colours of rajasthan in paheli ahead of real society life in page 3)? 2. do you want to become an institution in the industry which makes stylish films delving on human psychology?
Rakeysh Mehra : as for the oscars the committe will decide what to enter from india i on my part will surely enter the race.still discovering my stlye too early to comment
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WuFFy : Congrats on the well-desrved success of your movie. Besides the upcoming movies you mentioned, are there any plans to make another 'awakening' movie? Because these are much-needed!
Rakeysh Mehra : would love to do a socialy relevent story but as of now i don,t have a story
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cooldude : Mr mehra dont u think one of the keys of this film were the dialogue riters who gave such xleent dailogues apart from aamir arr and u
Rakeysh Mehra : cooldudethe D-writting was of very natrual quality, they sounded like spoken words rather than heavy lines, both Renzil and Prasoon have excelled themselves
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sapangoyal : THROW SOME LIGHT ON HOW U SKETCHED CHARECTER OF SIDHDHARTH...MOST OF THE TIME HE WAS INDIFFERENT WITH THE HAPPENINGS IN SURROUNDINGS AND AT THE END REALISES...
Rakeysh Mehra : karan singhania was the introvert in the group, in his back story his mother had commited suicide and he shared an estranged relationship with his father.it is in the group of friends that he finds his peace and looks up to Ajay as an elder brother and Ajays mom as his mom.
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lovey : one of the best movie
Rakeysh Mehra : dear lovelyglad you liked it your supprt has made RDB a success today
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Shivaprasada : To what extent did aamirs presence in ur movie help u find a producer for such an offbeat film
Rakeysh Mehra : too a great extent it was aamirs presence which made it all possible
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santu : segment on a news channel showed that u'r film was based on a pilot ajay and the mother was sayin she didnt get her due for the story she narrated.. pls comment. She was not even invited to the premier
Rakeysh Mehra : the story is dedicated to all the air bourne warriors who have lost their lives in the service of this nation and not on one particular pilot. i did meet Ms, Kavita gadgil in the course of research but the story is not based on her as you can see it in the movie.
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sapangoyal : wat inspired u to make this movie?
Rakeysh Mehra : vietnam-tinaman sq- berlin wall- mandal commission
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lovey : why only aamir?
Rakeysh Mehra : DJ and Aamir were made for each other
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Manpreet : how was it shooting in the Golden Temple, how did u get permission?
Rakeysh Mehra : the sgpc gave us the permission after reading the script.to put the experience in words is not possible all i can say it was our first day of shooting and we were blessed
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DeepakSankhla : Hi Rakeysh, how abt Rana Pratap in a new Light?
Rakeysh Mehra : Rana Pratap will make a great historical though. two years back i had gone to haldi ghati to get a feel of things
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neilesh : Mr. Rakeysh..just watched your movie on 1st Feb here in UK..your movie was great..i must admit. only one thing..i dont think that indian army or Commandos are that bad as u'd shown are they? i m sure about police!!
Rakeysh Mehra : nthe commando,s are not shown in any bad light they are just following orders
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Manpreet : Sir, I am planning on coming to India..how do I find a director willing to take me on as an assistant? anyway i must go, ill hopefuly see ur answer tomorrow @ rediff.com thanx a lot for this rendevouz haha byebye take care and make lots of fabulous movies!
Rakeysh Mehra : welcome to india
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Yogesh : Rakesh,what exactly did u drink while scripting the movie? Indeed the screenplay and the execution are almost flawless..
Rakeysh Mehra : thats the remark Mr. Bachachan once made when he got the best actor award for aks.
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ameya karve : Raykesh, what next on the agenda?
Rakeysh Mehra : Aa sunday off
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abhishekkala : Do u really think that the only of ending the corruption is what Amir did?
Rakeysh Mehra : no we can all contribute in our own way, by beeing honest and sincere to what we are doing in our respective fields
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ajaybohras : Hi Rakeysh, I watched this movie in Melbourne, and to add to my excitement all the GOREY aussie were the one who were dancing, singing, crying and saying that this is the one of the best movie they have ever seen. I infact cried twice in the movie.. congrats for making history Rakeysh... hats off to you
Rakeysh Mehra : i am so lucky that RDB has trancended language/economic/geographical barriers.their is only one language...CINEAMA
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aarti : hi sir, how r u. nice to be on Rediff at live chat.
Rakeysh Mehra : hey aarti
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hritik : Hi rakesh, Would you plan to give some collection of the movie to the earthquake vicitms
Rakeysh Mehra : deaR hHAVE NOT PLANNED FOR IT BUT WILL SURLY PAY ALL OUR TAXES PROMTLY AND HONESTLY
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celia : are you there
Rakeysh Mehra : yups
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jai : hi, i liked the way you interpreted the current situation in india/world by saying " you can jump off to the world, so that some one will take care of you or you will learn how to survive any way"
Rakeysh Mehra : yeah once you leap of the edge only two things can happen. either you learn to fly or the one up there will take care of you
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rocks : does the script of delhi 6 suit aamir khan
Rakeysh Mehra : no D-6 does not suite AK
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abhishekmcool : KHALBALI HAI KHALBALI!!!!
Rakeysh Mehra : AR rocks
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tony : hello sir.. do u support young new comers in the industry.. whats the first step to get into bollywood..
Rakeysh Mehra : ti love to work with fresh talent.
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celia : would you planning to take ajay devgan in your next movie just curious ... another one of my favourite ... aamir is also a great actor but no one like amitabh bachan.
Rakeysh Mehra : dear clove to work with AJ he is one of my fav too. I will be taking your leave now, got to hit the pool. Cheers!
February 06, 2006 17:02 IST
Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is on top of the world, with his Rang De Basanti turning into a massive multiplex sensation.
Rediff readers, who have their own opinions about the film, chatted up the director on Friday. For those who weren't there, here's all you missed:
Rakeysh Mehra : Hi guys lets go for it
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DJ : How long did it take to complete Rang De Basanthi
Rakeysh Mehra : 7 years of research-4years of writing-16 months in pre-production-4 months of shooting and 7 months of post production
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Monalika : The movie was great but i just wished the end was not tragic but i guess thats the reality today...
Rakeysh Mehra : dear mmy next is a comedy so i guess i will not disapoint you next time
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Shrikant : Hi,everybodyI have no words to congrats u,sir
Rakeysh Mehra : hi syour support for RDB is more than any congragulations or rewards i can get
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DEEJAY : SIRHOW DO CAME WITH THE IDEA OF THISSUCH AN AWSOME MOVIE
Rakeysh Mehra : i wanted to do a movie on the armed revolution of india but then no one identified with the the revolutionaries so we decided to juxtapose the periods and make it more relevent for the youth of today
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icool : hi mr mehra how difficult was it for you to convince the producers about rang de after aks
Rakeysh Mehra : ronnie screwwala who is my co-producer was extremely supportive from day one, he believed in the script aswell
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karnik2 : both ur films have been equal to 200 films
Rakeysh Mehra : hi K. sau sonar ki ek lohar ki
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anoop : Hi Rakeysh, 2 questions from my friend in South Africa who thinks you are the best director. And 1 from me.1.) What is the status of the movie you have planned with Amitabh.2.) What happened to the edited DVD version of the "Aks" movie you had planned to release.3.) What do you think went wrong with "Aks" if you indeed think something went wrong?Thank you.
Rakeysh Mehra : hi anoop. 1.in writing 2.i will do a directors cut soon say another 6 months 3.the heart was in the right place but not the script
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Monalika : Rakesh Ji was it very difficult to convice Aamir knowing how choosy he is about movies
Rakeysh Mehra : no once i narrated the script he decided in 5 mins
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AshPat : HI..this is from Singapore:personal opin: Fabulous first half; Downhill second half - almost a bit over the top. Almost making one wonder how can an intelligent team who made the first half make an unrealistic second half? Surely the defense minister wont go for walks with skeletal security ?
Rakeysh Mehra : but he does
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Manpreet : RAKEYSHJI! Is it true you want AMITABH ... ABHISHEK ... JAYA in ur next film?? Which ACTRESS do u want with them??? RAKEYSHJI! Is it true you want AMITABH ... ABHISHEK ... JAYA in ur next film?? Which ACTRESS do u want with them??? RAKEYSHJI! Is it true you want AMITABH ... ABHISHEK ... JAYA in ur next film?? Which ACTRESS do u want with them???
Rakeysh Mehra : dear Mits not true
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krish : RDB=Dil Chahtha Hai + The Legend of Bhagat Singh
Rakeysh Mehra : k, RDB=RDB
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sachin : u didnt answer my question.is movie a copy of JESUS OF MONTREAL?
Rakeysh Mehra : dear si hav,nt even heard of a film by this name
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ammasan : HI RAKEYSH,CONGRATS FOR GIVING THE FIRST HIT OF THE YEAR.THOUGH A WELL MADE FILM WITH GREAT TECHNICAL BACKING I FEEL THE CLIMAX WAS A BIT OF A LET DOWN.DONT U FEEL THE SAME
Rakeysh Mehra : dear aon the contrary its uplifting for a bold and strong message to go thru one cannot be subtle
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Chetna : Mr Rakeysh Mehra !! I haven't yet watched your film Rang De Basanti but have heard of the horse riding scene controversy . I don't understand the controversy created by animal rights activists over the scene. There is a rural sports festival held in Mullanpur in Punjab where animals are used extensively in various races. Did you have to edit that scene or not ? Do such trivial issues bother you brfore the release of the film ?
Rakeysh Mehra : dear chetnait was a shame that we had to do away with the nihangs riding the horses, i was quite sad
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sapangoyal : Congrats Mr.Mehra, your film Rocks. Its a big Hit. I hope you and aamir make more films together. Its a flawless film. though the end was a bit unusual but it was good. Are you making your new film with the bachhan's and also you are leaving to USA for some script writing course? Thanks for making such a nice film
Rakeysh Mehra : yes i am giong to take a refreshers course in scripting, my next film is not casted yet
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heavybison : don't you think sharman was a revelation in rdb?
Rakeysh Mehra : sharman has always been a very respected theatre actor we were so lucky to have him
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niruppama : hi rakeshji how did u actually choose the other guys in the movie like(kunal,siddharth,madhavan,sharma joshi)
Rakeysh Mehra : dear nonce the script was done we went about casting it i had my wish list and i must say that we got most of them
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anoop : Thank you for answering. I have not seen RDB but only because I am unable to get any tickets here in Hyderabad. But all my colleagues have found it brillian. Congratulations you have a winner on your hands. Now the next question, as a writer, what was the craziest / most creative idea/script you had thought of? Could you work it out? Thanks
Rakeysh Mehra : dear ayet to think of that one
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sapangoyal : YOU ARE ALSO A GREAT CRICKETER,is it ??????
Rakeysh Mehra : use to play for my club in delhi and at times for the school team, actualy use to swim at national level
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cooldude : sir i know that u are making paanch kaurav or delhi 6 which one is comedy
Rakeysh Mehra : delhi-6 is a comedy
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Manpreet : Karan Johar - Aditya Chopra - Sanjay Leela Bhansali :: which do you admire most & why?
Rakeysh Mehra : bimal roy- guru dutt-v shantaram
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sapangoyal : Do you think all Indians are contributing well to this society or do you feel that there is a large room for improvement
Rakeysh Mehra : dear si think their is a massive room for improvement, if all of us decide to go straight then in one day not only India but the entire world will change
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bhavesh : Sir, thanks for giving one of the best movie. It is after a long time that i credied freely in the theatre on death of Madhavan. forget commercial sucess sir, you will be rememberd as a great filmmaker
Rakeysh Mehra : dear Bthanx for making RDB a success
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aamir_vicky : hello rakesh sir how are you
Rakeysh Mehra : i am fine , whats up
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ylawande : hey
Rakeysh Mehra : hey
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abhi : Hello Rakesh i saw yr film it was awesome fantastic. Issue raised by you was something that ever indian should atleast think about it atleast once. What you next venture or next plan all about. I like Acting of Siddhart and Kunal Kappoor and specially like Alice acting she was excellent in this film. Amir was usually brilant so not to mention his name. Looking forward to see yr next film. What is the project all about and wht makes you think to make film like this
Rakeysh Mehra : dear amy next film is a toss between a comedy or a caper will take a call soon.i believe that our audience have come off age which encourages me to raise the bar
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vishalchopra : hi rakeysh congrats to u for making such a sensible movie.ur cast for the movie was exelent any spl reasons for it????
Rakeysh Mehra : cause all were sincere towards their art and respected the script which in turn showed in their work
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viru : Hi rakesh, Great movie. u have made movie about the characters and not stars with great message. hats off to you. we expect nothing but better than this next time :)
Rakeysh Mehra : dear vwill give it my best shot
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Anurag : Sir..film buffs from across the world would love to hear a Director's Commentary track on the DVD whenever it's out. Any plans for the same?
Rakeysh Mehra : i plan do release dvd with the directors commentry after a while
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Shivaprasad : Hi rakeysh.. how big was an achievment for you to convince Aamir for RDB
Rakeysh Mehra : dear sthat aamir agreed to work on RDB was a great compliment for the screenplay not for me
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rohit : u always talk highly of aamir in all ur interviews how come u hav not casted him in bhairavi or delhi-6,any problems?plz reply
Rakeysh Mehra : love to work with aamir in my future projects but the role/story must suite him first
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KKK : SIR I WANT TO BE A FILMMAKER AND I M JUST SEVENTEEN!!COULD U TELL ME HOW SHUD I GO ABT IT?ALSO COULD U TELL ME THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SCRIPT AND A SCREENPLAY
Rakeysh Mehra : kkkif you are based out of india then you can start with one of the film courses in the US. if in india then you can join/assisty a film maker and learn on the job
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amarendra : Hi Rakeysh, do you have any plans to remake old classics like Mughal e Azam, Umrao Jaan etc.
Rakeysh Mehra : no plans at the moment their are loads of orignal ideas waiting to be made in the first place
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irshad : MR MEERA PLEASE REPLY ME
Rakeysh Mehra : dear I whats your Q
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Manpreet : RAKEYSH JI kitte gaye tussi kuch bol hi nahin rahe ab!
Rakeysh Mehra : ji bolo ji
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rediff : I think Range de basanti is the best of 2006...bcoz lasy year all films were based on sex like zeher,ashiq banaya...We all were waiting for a film like range de basanti and rahman rocks again with his brilliant music
Rakeysh Mehra : yeah AR was so kool
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anuj : sir,i hv liked ur movie a lot especially the concept..just wanted to know abt ur next movie which i think is Bhairavi...are you planning to take Mr.A.R.Rahman as he has done a phenomenal job in RDB?
Rakeysh Mehra : my next is not bhairavi but Delhi 6 or 5k
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sapangoyal : You didn't take any well known female actor in RDB, none interest you or are there any particule ones you'd like to work with in the future ... IF SO, whom?
Rakeysh Mehra : love to work with rani,tabu,
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Prasad : Dear Mr Mehra what made you to decide to go for a UK actress rather than an Indian actress
Rakeysh Mehra : sue mclinly is a Brithisher in the story
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greatMovieRDB : Rakeysh: Should one call u a pessimist or an optimist after watching RDB
Rakeysh Mehra : what do ya think
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jazzu : if not aamir then who wld have done the same job in RDB
Rakeysh Mehra : can,t think of another DJ
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rocky123 : Just wanted to know how much will u take between films ....because can't wait so long for good movies ..... and don't make Karan johar kind of crap ..... please
Rakeysh Mehra : once all is correct in trms of all departments then i will go on the floors it can take me a month or ten years
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ll : hi, i want to aks you one thing. can we see independent film makers revolution in India, if not started yet with guys like you
Rakeysh Mehra : thanx for aksing the Q, i think india is a haven for indi film makers
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sapangoyal : rakyesh, you haven't been fair to me....please answer any of these two questions: 1. do you think your movie has any chance of oscar nomination given the portrayal of corrupt system? we always send movies which have tourism value (colours of rajasthan in paheli ahead of real society life in page 3)? 2. do you want to become an institution in the industry which makes stylish films delving on human psychology?
Rakeysh Mehra : as for the oscars the committe will decide what to enter from india i on my part will surely enter the race.still discovering my stlye too early to comment
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WuFFy : Congrats on the well-desrved success of your movie. Besides the upcoming movies you mentioned, are there any plans to make another 'awakening' movie? Because these are much-needed!
Rakeysh Mehra : would love to do a socialy relevent story but as of now i don,t have a story
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cooldude : Mr mehra dont u think one of the keys of this film were the dialogue riters who gave such xleent dailogues apart from aamir arr and u
Rakeysh Mehra : cooldudethe D-writting was of very natrual quality, they sounded like spoken words rather than heavy lines, both Renzil and Prasoon have excelled themselves
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sapangoyal : THROW SOME LIGHT ON HOW U SKETCHED CHARECTER OF SIDHDHARTH...MOST OF THE TIME HE WAS INDIFFERENT WITH THE HAPPENINGS IN SURROUNDINGS AND AT THE END REALISES...
Rakeysh Mehra : karan singhania was the introvert in the group, in his back story his mother had commited suicide and he shared an estranged relationship with his father.it is in the group of friends that he finds his peace and looks up to Ajay as an elder brother and Ajays mom as his mom.
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lovey : one of the best movie
Rakeysh Mehra : dear lovelyglad you liked it your supprt has made RDB a success today
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Shivaprasada : To what extent did aamirs presence in ur movie help u find a producer for such an offbeat film
Rakeysh Mehra : too a great extent it was aamirs presence which made it all possible
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santu : segment on a news channel showed that u'r film was based on a pilot ajay and the mother was sayin she didnt get her due for the story she narrated.. pls comment. She was not even invited to the premier
Rakeysh Mehra : the story is dedicated to all the air bourne warriors who have lost their lives in the service of this nation and not on one particular pilot. i did meet Ms, Kavita gadgil in the course of research but the story is not based on her as you can see it in the movie.
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sapangoyal : wat inspired u to make this movie?
Rakeysh Mehra : vietnam-tinaman sq- berlin wall- mandal commission
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lovey : why only aamir?
Rakeysh Mehra : DJ and Aamir were made for each other
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Manpreet : how was it shooting in the Golden Temple, how did u get permission?
Rakeysh Mehra : the sgpc gave us the permission after reading the script.to put the experience in words is not possible all i can say it was our first day of shooting and we were blessed
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DeepakSankhla : Hi Rakeysh, how abt Rana Pratap in a new Light?
Rakeysh Mehra : Rana Pratap will make a great historical though. two years back i had gone to haldi ghati to get a feel of things
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neilesh : Mr. Rakeysh..just watched your movie on 1st Feb here in UK..your movie was great..i must admit. only one thing..i dont think that indian army or Commandos are that bad as u'd shown are they? i m sure about police!!
Rakeysh Mehra : nthe commando,s are not shown in any bad light they are just following orders
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Manpreet : Sir, I am planning on coming to India..how do I find a director willing to take me on as an assistant? anyway i must go, ill hopefuly see ur answer tomorrow @ rediff.com thanx a lot for this rendevouz haha byebye take care and make lots of fabulous movies!
Rakeysh Mehra : welcome to india
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Yogesh : Rakesh,what exactly did u drink while scripting the movie? Indeed the screenplay and the execution are almost flawless..
Rakeysh Mehra : thats the remark Mr. Bachachan once made when he got the best actor award for aks.
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ameya karve : Raykesh, what next on the agenda?
Rakeysh Mehra : Aa sunday off
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
abhishekkala : Do u really think that the only of ending the corruption is what Amir did?
Rakeysh Mehra : no we can all contribute in our own way, by beeing honest and sincere to what we are doing in our respective fields
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ajaybohras : Hi Rakeysh, I watched this movie in Melbourne, and to add to my excitement all the GOREY aussie were the one who were dancing, singing, crying and saying that this is the one of the best movie they have ever seen. I infact cried twice in the movie.. congrats for making history Rakeysh... hats off to you
Rakeysh Mehra : i am so lucky that RDB has trancended language/economic/geographical barriers.their is only one language...CINEAMA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
aarti : hi sir, how r u. nice to be on Rediff at live chat.
Rakeysh Mehra : hey aarti
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
hritik : Hi rakesh, Would you plan to give some collection of the movie to the earthquake vicitms
Rakeysh Mehra : deaR hHAVE NOT PLANNED FOR IT BUT WILL SURLY PAY ALL OUR TAXES PROMTLY AND HONESTLY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
celia : are you there
Rakeysh Mehra : yups
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
jai : hi, i liked the way you interpreted the current situation in india/world by saying " you can jump off to the world, so that some one will take care of you or you will learn how to survive any way"
Rakeysh Mehra : yeah once you leap of the edge only two things can happen. either you learn to fly or the one up there will take care of you
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
rocks : does the script of delhi 6 suit aamir khan
Rakeysh Mehra : no D-6 does not suite AK
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
abhishekmcool : KHALBALI HAI KHALBALI!!!!
Rakeysh Mehra : AR rocks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
tony : hello sir.. do u support young new comers in the industry.. whats the first step to get into bollywood..
Rakeysh Mehra : ti love to work with fresh talent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
celia : would you planning to take ajay devgan in your next movie just curious ... another one of my favourite ... aamir is also a great actor but no one like amitabh bachan.
Rakeysh Mehra : dear clove to work with AJ he is one of my fav too. I will be taking your leave now, got to hit the pool. Cheers!
ram gopal varma
transcript of live chat conducted on thu oct 07, 1999
ram gopal varma on movies, masti, and ummmm....
film-maker (rangeela, satya, mast, shool...)
moderator welcome mr. varma....we are glad you could make it....and hope you have fun...
shyamal mr. varma what exactly do you think are the responsibilities of a director ?
ram gopal: varma syamal : the directors primary responsibility is to entertain the audience. through the process of entertainment if he manages to pack in a message, well and good. but not at the cost of missing out on the holding power of the film.
aeschylus what kind of a film is mast apart from being a romantic comedy? what else is there to expect?
ram gopal: varma aeschylus : mast is basically a fairy tale kind of a story told in almost a musical kind of a form. it’s a guys obsession for a film actress whose 2 dimensional image projected on the screen makes him to fall in love with her. but actual reality...
moderator please click on 'send to speaker' to send your questions to ram gopal varma....
ram gopal: varma ...of the actress behind the image is nothing to do with the fantasy personality created in his mind. mast examines the relationship between that.
milind desai sir, why did you include songs in movies like daud, satya or drohi???? songs were not required
ram gopal: varma milind desai : somewhere partly for commercial constraints and somewhere partly owing to my confusion of how much i can deviate from the accepted norms of the so called commercial film making.
shyamal how do you manage to handle people acting for the first time ? what are the usual problems? do you think it is right to say a director can bring anything out of him or her ?
ram gopal: varma shyamal : most of the time i do casting on the basis of either they look the part or i am already aware of their potential. the director can create a frame for an element. he can’t create the element. so, in effect he can brief the actor or actress what he wants. but between the action and cut its completely upto them. for e.g. in rangeela when urmila is dancing on the beach, i can create the right composition to show her waist swaying to the music.....
moderator please send your questions to ram and he will.....answer them!!!
ram gopal: varma ...but i can't create her waistline. i can tell manoj bajpai that i want to feel a kind of an wild animal lurking behind bhiku mhatres civilized exterior like his clothes / home etc. but i can't create the looks...
ram gopal: varma in his eyes that belongs to manoj bajpai.
milind desai sir.. you have some of the brilliant steadycam sequences in movies like shiva, daud... why are they for so little time?? why can't they be like in those brian de palma movies??
ram gopal: varma milind desai : partly is due to that we do not have such good operators here in india. and also, because the atmosphere of shooting is not as much in control.
shyamal do you think the indian censor board is an obstacle ? if yes, in what ways ?
ram gopal: varma shyamal : it is an obstacle in a way that the guidelines are not very clear. they are very arbitrary in nature. it completely depends upon the individual committee member’s perception of what they think is right and wrong. it needs to be defined how they can judge the sensibilities of the millions of people across the country.
moderator we are chatting live with ace filmmaker ram gopal varma today...at indiatimes chat....
manoj bajpai r u married ramu?
ram gopal: varma manoj bajpai : i was..
korn hi ramu, what happened to your satya hero chakravorthy? he seems to have been eclipsed by bhiku mhatre. are you going to give him another break?
ram gopal: varma korn : i don't make films to give anybody a break. i take anybody who i think is right for the film.
smriti do you get the jitters the day your film is set for release, or you know beforehand that it will be a success?
ram gopal: varma smiriti : if i know beforehand. why would i make a daud //winking
shyamal mr. varma , everyone has certain professional aspirations ... what are yours ? what is that one film you want to direct, with whom you want to work ?
ram gopal: varma shyamal : any film that i am doing at the moment is my aspiration. and that's the one that i would like to make.
pradeep your greatest contribution is u have given many talented directors a chance. what do you look for in young directors?
ram gopal: varma pradeep : it's a little difficult to answer here. but mostly it'll be due to my association with him over a period of time where i would notice a potential or that someone may just impress me with their narrative capability.
indianranger how did u start mast? what was basic idea behind making a movie with a new hero?
ram gopal: varma indianranger : mast is about an ordinary guy falling in love with a film star. it goes with out saying that the guys role should be played by somebody new because, the premise would not be believable if an established star falls in love with a film star.
moderator we are chatting live with ram gopal varma.....hope you all are having a 'mast' time chatting with him....
shyamal is piracy affecting the industry ?
ram gopal: varma shyamal : ya, it certainly does.
bhiku mathre mr. varma, how different is mast from rangeela, because the previews really make it look like it is in the same lines as rangeela?
ram gopal: varma bhiku mathre : i don't think there's any connection between rangeela and mast.
sunny1 ramuji don't you feel when good movies like 1947 earth, hututu, kaun fails who will make good movies
ram gopal: varma sunny1 : good movies in matter of opinion. since you've failed to mentioned daud i thought it was a good movie myself. //winking
shyamal mr. varma who is the best director in the industry today ? is it very difficult to judge somebody as best ?
ram gopal: varma shyamal : shekhar kapoor .
milind desai sir as a producer don't you think that actors/actress should be paid a percentage of profit rather than a lumpsum amount???? it will determine their respective position in the market
ram gopal: varma milind desai : i think it’s to do with the economies of the particular project which would determine this. its not that it’s not being done.
mitesh ramuji i have some scripts to narrate to you ! how can i do that ?
ram gopal: varma mitesh : the right time to do that is when i make a flop.
ramtajogi mr. varma...can you tell me something about your cinematographers and film editors? their techniques seem completely different from the usual technicians in the industry. i am specifically talking about the amazing editing by bhanodaya and camerawork in satya...what do you find most appealing about their styles?
ram gopal: varma ramtajogi : most of the technique evolves from the nature of the particular project. it’s going to be very difficult to separate the style of any individual technicians.
chinmay what do you feel about the recent trend of low budget films like hyd-blues, kaun, etc failing to attract "masses" ,say, as govinda films do?
ram gopal: varma chinmay : it’s to do more with the kind of cost that the film is made. so to that extent both hyd. blues and kaun had done well.
milind desai sir... why don't you once again defy the laws of bollywood and make a romantic hindi movie with no songs???
ram gopal: varma milind desai : i'll do it as soon as i have 2 or 3 hits in a row.
leather_and_lace what is your idea of a good movie? music, sex, scandal or just plain 'in you face subjects'? lately so many movies are just fighting it out with censor boards. when do the people get a choice of what they want to see?
ram gopal: varma leather_and_lace : i think, me and you want to see the same in movies.
korn ramu did you feel that satya should've got the best film award and manoj bajpai the best supporting actor instead of salman? i did think so.
ram gopal: varma korn : it’s the opinion of the committee members who are selected. so what can i say about that //frowny
ramtajogi mr. varma...i have read that you have no formal education in the field of filmmaking...how true is this? how important do you feel formal education in this field is to be successful?
ram gopal: varma ramtajogi : formal education is absolutely un-important. filmmaking is at the end of the day just an art of telling a story. how well you do it is the only required thing.
shyamal do you think amitabh is not in his true self now ? who is the best replacement for him ?
ram gopal: varma shyamal : there can be no replacement for amitabh.
curious_kamal ramgopaljee what do u think about manoj vajpayee whom amitabh bachan quoted as being a better actor than him
ram gopal: varma manoj bajpai is great but, amitabh is the greatest.
raajaa hi ramu, what are your next projects, after mast and shool ?
ram gopal: varma raajaa : i haven’t yet decided.
ramtajogi mr. varma...how did you discover sandeep chowta? he is absolutely amazing! how much of a role did you as the director play in the way the background score of satya shaped up?
ram gopal: varma ramtajogi : i met sandeep chowta through a common friend. i had a very little role to play in the background score of satya. it was completely his interpretation.
shyam gopal bajaj ramu, does a director have to have a muse and fall in love with his heroine to make a convincing film? subhash ghai says so?
ram gopal: varma shyam gopal bajaj : who would be my muse in satya ? chakravarthy //exclaim
sunny1 ramuji why did premakatha fail?
ram gopal: varma sunny1 : because it was a bad film.
iitian what do u think is the future of hindi film industry which thinks that a film is a hit only if it has a good music
ram gopal: varma iitian : it will face the music someday.
meera in which lang. do u feel more interested to make a film?
ram gopal: varma meera : hindi.
shyam gopal bajaj mr. ramu, i am a horror movie buff and i think that raat was absolutely brilliant and very very scary, when are you going to make a truly big budget horror flick like they do in hollywood? i hope the failure of raat will not deter you.
ram gopal: varma shyam gopal bajaj : on the contrary the greatest ambition in my life is to make a successful horror film.
meera why
ram gopal: varma meera .. its because i think the talent in hindi is far more superior.
curious_kamal ramu do you think the indian cinema is poised for a big change since we are not having too many good movies
ram gopal: varma curious_kamal : somehow, myself and david dhavan would try to avert the catastrophe //smiley
kamaindra r u interested or under planning to make a remake of any old classics or a successful story to recreate with ur magic in near future please share with us
ram gopal: varma kamaindra : right now i am not.
curious_kamal ram how would u like to compare the hollywood and the bollywood
ram gopal: varma curious_kamal : there's no comparison. hollywood is far superior.
ramtajogi mr. varma....finally.....you haven’t worked with the great a.r. rahman after rangeela and daud...do you plan any projects together in the future? i felt yours really was a killer team!
ram gopal: varma ramtajogi : since we killed everybody with our daud. we thought we'll take a break from each other for sometime.
ramtajogi mr. varma...how much inspiration did you draw from alfred hitchcock's films while making kaun? did you try to use any of his techniques he usually used? if so..which ones?
ram gopal: varma ramtajogi : i must have taken a lot from him and plenty of other directors.
moderator last question for ram....
shyam gopal bajaj please please make another horror movie say yes
ram gopal: varma shayam gopal bajaj : yes!!
moderator we would like to thank ram for being here with us today....hope the room had fun....
ram gopal: varma to all : nice chatting with you guys.. thank you very very much.
ram gopal varma on movies, masti, and ummmm....
film-maker (rangeela, satya, mast, shool...)
moderator welcome mr. varma....we are glad you could make it....and hope you have fun...
shyamal mr. varma what exactly do you think are the responsibilities of a director ?
ram gopal: varma syamal : the directors primary responsibility is to entertain the audience. through the process of entertainment if he manages to pack in a message, well and good. but not at the cost of missing out on the holding power of the film.
aeschylus what kind of a film is mast apart from being a romantic comedy? what else is there to expect?
ram gopal: varma aeschylus : mast is basically a fairy tale kind of a story told in almost a musical kind of a form. it’s a guys obsession for a film actress whose 2 dimensional image projected on the screen makes him to fall in love with her. but actual reality...
moderator please click on 'send to speaker' to send your questions to ram gopal varma....
ram gopal: varma ...of the actress behind the image is nothing to do with the fantasy personality created in his mind. mast examines the relationship between that.
milind desai sir, why did you include songs in movies like daud, satya or drohi???? songs were not required
ram gopal: varma milind desai : somewhere partly for commercial constraints and somewhere partly owing to my confusion of how much i can deviate from the accepted norms of the so called commercial film making.
shyamal how do you manage to handle people acting for the first time ? what are the usual problems? do you think it is right to say a director can bring anything out of him or her ?
ram gopal: varma shyamal : most of the time i do casting on the basis of either they look the part or i am already aware of their potential. the director can create a frame for an element. he can’t create the element. so, in effect he can brief the actor or actress what he wants. but between the action and cut its completely upto them. for e.g. in rangeela when urmila is dancing on the beach, i can create the right composition to show her waist swaying to the music.....
moderator please send your questions to ram and he will.....answer them!!!
ram gopal: varma ...but i can't create her waistline. i can tell manoj bajpai that i want to feel a kind of an wild animal lurking behind bhiku mhatres civilized exterior like his clothes / home etc. but i can't create the looks...
ram gopal: varma in his eyes that belongs to manoj bajpai.
milind desai sir.. you have some of the brilliant steadycam sequences in movies like shiva, daud... why are they for so little time?? why can't they be like in those brian de palma movies??
ram gopal: varma milind desai : partly is due to that we do not have such good operators here in india. and also, because the atmosphere of shooting is not as much in control.
shyamal do you think the indian censor board is an obstacle ? if yes, in what ways ?
ram gopal: varma shyamal : it is an obstacle in a way that the guidelines are not very clear. they are very arbitrary in nature. it completely depends upon the individual committee member’s perception of what they think is right and wrong. it needs to be defined how they can judge the sensibilities of the millions of people across the country.
moderator we are chatting live with ace filmmaker ram gopal varma today...at indiatimes chat....
manoj bajpai r u married ramu?
ram gopal: varma manoj bajpai : i was..
korn hi ramu, what happened to your satya hero chakravorthy? he seems to have been eclipsed by bhiku mhatre. are you going to give him another break?
ram gopal: varma korn : i don't make films to give anybody a break. i take anybody who i think is right for the film.
smriti do you get the jitters the day your film is set for release, or you know beforehand that it will be a success?
ram gopal: varma smiriti : if i know beforehand. why would i make a daud //winking
shyamal mr. varma , everyone has certain professional aspirations ... what are yours ? what is that one film you want to direct, with whom you want to work ?
ram gopal: varma shyamal : any film that i am doing at the moment is my aspiration. and that's the one that i would like to make.
pradeep your greatest contribution is u have given many talented directors a chance. what do you look for in young directors?
ram gopal: varma pradeep : it's a little difficult to answer here. but mostly it'll be due to my association with him over a period of time where i would notice a potential or that someone may just impress me with their narrative capability.
indianranger how did u start mast? what was basic idea behind making a movie with a new hero?
ram gopal: varma indianranger : mast is about an ordinary guy falling in love with a film star. it goes with out saying that the guys role should be played by somebody new because, the premise would not be believable if an established star falls in love with a film star.
moderator we are chatting live with ram gopal varma.....hope you all are having a 'mast' time chatting with him....
shyamal is piracy affecting the industry ?
ram gopal: varma shyamal : ya, it certainly does.
bhiku mathre mr. varma, how different is mast from rangeela, because the previews really make it look like it is in the same lines as rangeela?
ram gopal: varma bhiku mathre : i don't think there's any connection between rangeela and mast.
sunny1 ramuji don't you feel when good movies like 1947 earth, hututu, kaun fails who will make good movies
ram gopal: varma sunny1 : good movies in matter of opinion. since you've failed to mentioned daud i thought it was a good movie myself. //winking
shyamal mr. varma who is the best director in the industry today ? is it very difficult to judge somebody as best ?
ram gopal: varma shyamal : shekhar kapoor .
milind desai sir as a producer don't you think that actors/actress should be paid a percentage of profit rather than a lumpsum amount???? it will determine their respective position in the market
ram gopal: varma milind desai : i think it’s to do with the economies of the particular project which would determine this. its not that it’s not being done.
mitesh ramuji i have some scripts to narrate to you ! how can i do that ?
ram gopal: varma mitesh : the right time to do that is when i make a flop.
ramtajogi mr. varma...can you tell me something about your cinematographers and film editors? their techniques seem completely different from the usual technicians in the industry. i am specifically talking about the amazing editing by bhanodaya and camerawork in satya...what do you find most appealing about their styles?
ram gopal: varma ramtajogi : most of the technique evolves from the nature of the particular project. it’s going to be very difficult to separate the style of any individual technicians.
chinmay what do you feel about the recent trend of low budget films like hyd-blues, kaun, etc failing to attract "masses" ,say, as govinda films do?
ram gopal: varma chinmay : it’s to do more with the kind of cost that the film is made. so to that extent both hyd. blues and kaun had done well.
milind desai sir... why don't you once again defy the laws of bollywood and make a romantic hindi movie with no songs???
ram gopal: varma milind desai : i'll do it as soon as i have 2 or 3 hits in a row.
leather_and_lace what is your idea of a good movie? music, sex, scandal or just plain 'in you face subjects'? lately so many movies are just fighting it out with censor boards. when do the people get a choice of what they want to see?
ram gopal: varma leather_and_lace : i think, me and you want to see the same in movies.
korn ramu did you feel that satya should've got the best film award and manoj bajpai the best supporting actor instead of salman? i did think so.
ram gopal: varma korn : it’s the opinion of the committee members who are selected. so what can i say about that //frowny
ramtajogi mr. varma...i have read that you have no formal education in the field of filmmaking...how true is this? how important do you feel formal education in this field is to be successful?
ram gopal: varma ramtajogi : formal education is absolutely un-important. filmmaking is at the end of the day just an art of telling a story. how well you do it is the only required thing.
shyamal do you think amitabh is not in his true self now ? who is the best replacement for him ?
ram gopal: varma shyamal : there can be no replacement for amitabh.
curious_kamal ramgopaljee what do u think about manoj vajpayee whom amitabh bachan quoted as being a better actor than him
ram gopal: varma manoj bajpai is great but, amitabh is the greatest.
raajaa hi ramu, what are your next projects, after mast and shool ?
ram gopal: varma raajaa : i haven’t yet decided.
ramtajogi mr. varma...how did you discover sandeep chowta? he is absolutely amazing! how much of a role did you as the director play in the way the background score of satya shaped up?
ram gopal: varma ramtajogi : i met sandeep chowta through a common friend. i had a very little role to play in the background score of satya. it was completely his interpretation.
shyam gopal bajaj ramu, does a director have to have a muse and fall in love with his heroine to make a convincing film? subhash ghai says so?
ram gopal: varma shyam gopal bajaj : who would be my muse in satya ? chakravarthy //exclaim
sunny1 ramuji why did premakatha fail?
ram gopal: varma sunny1 : because it was a bad film.
iitian what do u think is the future of hindi film industry which thinks that a film is a hit only if it has a good music
ram gopal: varma iitian : it will face the music someday.
meera in which lang. do u feel more interested to make a film?
ram gopal: varma meera : hindi.
shyam gopal bajaj mr. ramu, i am a horror movie buff and i think that raat was absolutely brilliant and very very scary, when are you going to make a truly big budget horror flick like they do in hollywood? i hope the failure of raat will not deter you.
ram gopal: varma shyam gopal bajaj : on the contrary the greatest ambition in my life is to make a successful horror film.
meera why
ram gopal: varma meera .. its because i think the talent in hindi is far more superior.
curious_kamal ramu do you think the indian cinema is poised for a big change since we are not having too many good movies
ram gopal: varma curious_kamal : somehow, myself and david dhavan would try to avert the catastrophe //smiley
kamaindra r u interested or under planning to make a remake of any old classics or a successful story to recreate with ur magic in near future please share with us
ram gopal: varma kamaindra : right now i am not.
curious_kamal ram how would u like to compare the hollywood and the bollywood
ram gopal: varma curious_kamal : there's no comparison. hollywood is far superior.
ramtajogi mr. varma....finally.....you haven’t worked with the great a.r. rahman after rangeela and daud...do you plan any projects together in the future? i felt yours really was a killer team!
ram gopal: varma ramtajogi : since we killed everybody with our daud. we thought we'll take a break from each other for sometime.
ramtajogi mr. varma...how much inspiration did you draw from alfred hitchcock's films while making kaun? did you try to use any of his techniques he usually used? if so..which ones?
ram gopal: varma ramtajogi : i must have taken a lot from him and plenty of other directors.
moderator last question for ram....
shyam gopal bajaj please please make another horror movie say yes
ram gopal: varma shayam gopal bajaj : yes!!
moderator we would like to thank ram for being here with us today....hope the room had fun....
ram gopal: varma to all : nice chatting with you guys.. thank you very very much.
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