We have a very weak government which is being challenged - Prakash Jha

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Prakash Jha

It’s just been a week after Satyagraha’s release but Prakash is already immersed in work at his office. Lying on his table are neatly arranged scripts, one of them belonging to his ex-wife Deepti Naval, which he is currently reading. The conversation soon veers towards Satyagraha. ‘Do you have the latest box-office figures?’ Prakash checks with us. ‘51.24 crore,’ we say. ‘Wow. The movie has done extremely well in the international market as well,” says an elated Prakash and puffs out his chest with an appearance of some pride as we settle down for a chat. Over the next 30 minutes, we got the acclaimed director to conduct an autopsy of his films, politics, society and everything else that matters to the common man.

Satyagraha has received mixed reviews from critics. Some have praised it to the skies while others have thrashed it. What do you feel?

Well, I have to admit that I got confused by the mixed reaction. As you said, some reviews were very good and some were equally bad. But mostly I feel the audience liked it.

People do get influenced by bad criticism. Don’t you think that could affect your movie?

Yes, people do get influenced by these reviews. But tell me, if the film was not good, would it have moved beyond Friday? This film has grown well and has made a business 51 crore in its first week, which definitely means that the audience have liked it. I feel it’s the word of mouth which has made the film grow.

Do you think Satyagraha has been able to deliver the message it intended on giving?

(Thinks) It’s a bit too early to say if the message has been delivered. Yes, people have been seeing the film and reacting positively. But how much they will learn something from the film and imbibe it in their own lives once they leave the cinema hall, remain to be seen. A film cannot miraculously transform our lives.

Your films are always high on political content. Don’t you think it perhaps restricts your audience to a certain segment of people?

Not at all. I look to create a mixture of reality and drama so that it attracts the commercial audience as well. And Satyagraha is not just about revolution. One mofussil village called Ambikapur faces problems which are very similar to what the entire nation is facing. It’s an idea of a man standing against corruption. I have included many different elements in the film. But yes, Jinke kaan zameen nahi hain, woh kabhi nahi samjenge Satygraha kya hain (Those who don’t know what’s happening in the society or has zero knowledge about the current affairs of our country will never understand or like my film).

All your films look almost similar with repetitive plots. Don’t you think you are getting predictable?

(Shakes his head vigorously) No I don’t think so. Take a look at it deeply. You will find all my films are radically different from each other. And you should see my film in isolation. When you see my film, why do you also watch other films along with it? All my films have had completely different plots and characters.

But you do cast the same actors time and again which gives the impression of being repetitive. Why do you repeat the same star cast in every other film?

(Thinks hard) Well I work with the same people because they suit the character and it’s not easy to make such films with a new star cast. Tell me, when you saw Satyagraha, did Ajay from Gangaajal come gushing into your mind? I am sure it didn’t because he had two different roles in these two movies. Plus all these people are like family and I share a very good comfort and emotionally connected with these people. May be when I make a different kind of a film I will get some new faces.

And when do we get to see Prakash Jha making a different movie?

(Laughs and points to the scripts) Well a few among these are different. But I am yet to take a call on it. So may be in the near future you can expect to see me direct something different.

You have contested elections in the past. Do you harbor any more latent political ambitions?

I have answered this question in the past and let me repeat myself. I had no political ambitions. I always wanted that job because I always thought I could do it much better than these guys do. But my age now is over. I am 61 now and the prime of my life is over.

But age is not a criterion in Indian politics…

(Looks a bit irritated) Forget about that. I have to live my own life. I am not living for Indian politics. I have my own life of which I gave 10 years to politics. I contested elections but unfortunately people didn’t elect me. It’s my misfortune that I never got elected.

Did any politician call you after watching the movie?

(Laughs) I know why you are asking this. Just because I have depicted politicians in bad light in my movie, right. Yes, politicians have called me but I cannot say who or drop any names.

As a socio-political moviemaker, what are your views of Modi? Do you see him leading the country?

I haven’t really looked at it deeply. But the way things are going anything can happen. We have a very weak government and its being challenged from every possible corner.

Finally, how do you want Satyagraha to be remembered as?

I want it to be remembered as a movie which showed the angst of the people who collectively rose against the current government and challenged it like never before.

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Submitted by TellychakkarTeam on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 15:33

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