Lord of the marquee

 

 

Holding India’s flag high in Hollywood, Shekhar Kapur has added a new dimension to the art of involved filmmaking. As ‘Elizabeth: The Golden Age’ continues to draw discerning audiences and appreciative reviews worldwide, Neha Sarin catches up with the man of the moment, Shekhar Kapur for an exclusive interview

You call yourself a ‘partition baby’. After the borders were sketched, how different do you think your life would have been if you were on the other side?

Given what’s happening in Pakistan right now, I am so glad I am not a part of that country. I really believe that however much we complain about the socialism that was imposed upon India, for a very long time it protected us. By not letting us grow too fast too soon, it helped us mature into a stable democracy. And now, we are one of the world’s largest economies. So I am very glad for that. For anybody living in Pakistan, it is a difficult time. My dream is for the two countries to unite. It might be a utopian idea but I’m an optimist. But it’s too complex, with Taliban sitting on the walls of Pakistan. Colonial countries partitioned us and now we can’t seem to come together.

You moved to foreign lands and gave up your fame in India. How was the initial struggle overseas?

I moved because the movies here had to follow a set pattern, a formula if you like.

Doing something different wasn’t allowed. Abroad, initially there wasn’t much struggle because I spoke English. But securing funding for my movies was a serious challenge. Somehow that too worked out. I wanted to market myself in the foreign markets. Unlike Chinese films, Indian films still aren’t reaching the international market. Bandit Queen has been your most controversial movie till date. What do you remember about it?

Bandit Queen was a much respected film. It was the reason I was offered so many films outside India. People admired the film and it opened a lot of doors for me in the west.

Did you think Indian audiences were ready for sci-fi films when you came up with the movie Mr.India. What fascinated you?

I love to create my own world and then explore it. Ideas like fairy tales, time machines fascinate me. It’s like creating your world and asking people to stay there with you and experience it. When Mr India released, I was a little nervous, and the nervousness doesn’t leave you until the film is out!

What kind of films would you like to make in the future?

Films that talk about the struggle of the spirit. Of innocence in the heart of complexity. Hanging on to the innocence, despite everything. My films are all about innocence lost or gained.

What is your take on the concept of song & dance sequences in Bollywood? How much do you think has it changed in the last ten years?

Song and dance are acceptable and interesting as long as you don’t expect every film to be about song and dance. It’s a very entertaining genre. I miss doing it. But Bollywood has transformed. There is greater variety today. Low budget movies are breaking new ground, every day.

How do you think Hollywood differs from Bollywood?

There’s obviously more money involved in the west; they have high technology-visual effects and they can boast of a lot more professionalism.

Here, that’s not the case largely, barring a few films and directors. People often say, “chalo theek hain, picture hit ho jaayegi.” Here, there are fewer directors who have the power or the inclination to go that last mile and give the film their best. I think we need to go and make that effort.

Films like Lagaan, Satya, Company have gone the last mile. We need more of that.

What do you think about Indian actors? Who would you like to work with?

Every actor has his or her own ‘use’. Sometimes you have to show performance, and sometimes you show the star power. That’s the way it is, that’s what they get paid for, and the audiences want to watch that. Everyone is very different, so taking an actor depends on what the part is. Apart from that, Hrithik, SRK, Amitabh Bachchan are all very unique.

How do you rate the Academy awards?

Well, after bagging one, you can double your price the next time you do a movie! The international attention is also huge. It’s become a huge iconic thing, which I don’t think it deserves to be.

Being at the awards is not very interesting; it’s more interesting to watch it on television. I would rate it only for commercial interest…

You’ve done two films on Elizabeth... Why the fascination with the subject?

It’s nothing, I was offered the film and I accepted it. Whatever subject that comes my way, I explore it, and then make sure not to make a film I’m not fascinated by! That’s my way of making a movie. I would like to make a third one (Elizabeth); I have one more story to tell.

You’re clearly a story teller who loves to share his dreams. Have you ever thought of compiling your thoughts in a book?

I like sharing things with people. I enjoy writing but without the pressure of getting it published. I feel that more people will read my web site than they would a book… maybe sometime later.

How was it like working with Cate Blanchett?

Cate is fascinating and fantastic. It’s pleasurable to work with such actors; makes our job easier.

Finally, any Bollywood plans yet again?

Hmmm... I might do a film here… genuinely hoping.