Courtesy: IndiaFM
Friday, September 30, 2005
 
He is known for his comedy roles in Bollywood. After a stint at direction with Om Jai Jagdish, Anupam Kher now treads the path of a producer with his film Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara.

Quite an unconventional title for a film. What is the story about?
Unfortunately I cannot tell you the story of the film. Once you see the film you will come to know who is telling whom that he didn't kill Gandhi. It's a small film but with a big canvas. It's related to every class - lower, middle and upper. Gandhi is in the film throughout.

Why did you choose to produce such a film?
It's a story-oriented film. After a long time I have heard of such a beautiful story. I am happy that I am the proud producer of this film because in the coming generations I can say that I made the film.

Tell us about the music of the film?
There are no songs in the film but Bappi Lahiri told me that he wanted to do the music of the film. On a surface MGKNM and Bappi Lahiri's music do not go but when you see the film you see that the film's spirit is present through Bappi's music.

Why Gandhi and not someone else?
I feel we have forgotten Gandhiji a bit. His teachings are quite contemporary today. We see Gandhi only on statues and have roads named after him but I don't think that he is somewhere in our hearts. That's the secondary part of the film. But according to me Gandhiji is a superstar who will be remembered in ages to come.

Do you think a film like MGKNM has an audience?
According to me, Indian cinema is going through an exciting phase. You don't have to make a Bollywood masala film. You have to make a film you are convinced about. My conviction, my director's conviction, my crew's conviction will definitely get across to the audience.

The USP of the film?
It's one of the finest stories that I have heard in the last 10-20 years. It's fascinating and very simple yet brilliantly told. It has great performances and great background music. Everybody has contributed through their heart in this film and even if it touches 1% of India's population, it will be a super hit film.

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"When a film like this comes along, even a role of 5-10 minutes wouldn't stop me from doing it" - Boman Irani

He made his debut in the highly acclaimed Let's Talk. There was no looking back following up with stupendous performances in Darna Mana Hai, Page 3, Munnabhai M.B.B.S and Waqt. In his latest film Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara he essays a small but significant role in the film.

Like the rest, I'm sure you can't tell us the story of the film?
Ha, can't help you there.

OK, what is your role about?
I am a prosecuting lawyer. It is a small role in the climax of the film. When my friend Anupam Kher asked me if I could do the role in the film, I said without fail and no question about it. Secondly I'm getting to work in a film that not only Mr. Kher believes in, but I also get to work with Jahnnu Barua who has won national award for direction nine times.

What genre of films do you like to do?
I like to do all kinds of films - commercial, non-commercial, meaningful films, artistic films, etc. and when something like this comes along even a role of 5-10 minutes wouldn't stop me. There is so much of belief in this story because it's not the story of an individual or a family but it's the story of our nation. I just want to be a part of it. It's my joy and pleasure.

What are your views on Gandhiji?
Gandhiji did not become man of the century or man of the millennium just like that. His greatness will not be contemporary today but it will be contemporary 500 years from now. I'm quite convinced about it because his ideas and methods were unique and the west also acknowledges it. It's contemporary today because what he said decades ago is coming true today. The only way is to see the wisdom and foresight of a great man and see where we have gone off.

Give us your expert opinion on the music of the film?
It's wrong to say that there is no music in the film. Bappida's (Bappi Lahiri) music is like another character in the film. It makes so much of an impact as a background track. Today's music in Hindi films mean songs. Its haunting music is arousing even in its slow and beautiful pace. The music has to be heard to be believed.

How do you think the film has shaped up?
I had goose bumps while watching the trailor so I should say very well.

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"We could easily be world no. 1 if we give importance to the script" - Jahnu Barua

The Assamese filmmaker Jahnu Barua's films are known for their social themes, which address the contemporary culture and politics of Assam. Winner of 9 national awards, you can undoubtedly expect a quality product from this expert storyteller. He makes his directorial debut in Hindi cinema with a non-conventional film Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara.

What is the story of your debut film?
The film is going to be released really soon so it won't be wise on my part to reveal the story but I can say that the film will have a strong message and is directly connected to the killing of Gandhi and Gandhian philosophy.

Why Gandhi?
In today's society we can see that Gandhi is missing in all forms. He is missing in each and every one of us today. Somewhere we are responsible for today's unrewarding experiences that are taking place in the country. This is the strong message that we are trying to give and it is based in today's time and not 1948. That's all I can tell you.

How did you get Anupam Kher to produce the film?
I wrote the subject almost 10 years ago and I had Anupam Kher in mind while writing the script. I approached some other places for finances but finally he agreed to produce the film because he liked the story very much.

Do you think that the script in not really focused on in commercial cinema?
It's not only commercial cinema, but everywhere there is a dearth of subject and story. We could easily be world no.1 if we give importance to the script. I can claim one thing and that the story of this film is one of the strong points of the film.

Tell us about the music of the film?
There are no songs in the film. They are only for promotion and are also targeted to the new generation. It has a lot of positive vibes which are used in the form of a poem. It is supposed to be the most favorite poem of the male protagonist.

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