Rakeysh's attempt to strike a chord with audience
Content-driven movies open a hundred doors for the audience as well as filmmakers to explore and know something different, says Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, a renowned Director known for making movies on out-of-the-box subjects.
"If we really want to bring revolution in society through the medium of cinema, it is important to move out of the shell and work on new ideas. It might be a strenuous task initially – especially when your audience has developed taste for a specific kind of cinema. But a filmmaker needs to understand that repeating the subject/content is just like putting old wine in a new bottle."
"As creative people, our responsibility is to expand the horizons and give best possible choices to the audience," said Rakeysh, while explaining his idea of good cinema.
The Director feels that instead of working on something new, if we are recreating a 'subject' that has been applauded by the audience earlier, we are allowing ourselves to cheat.
"Being aware of what the audience will like and how we can earn back the investment with high profits, is nothing less than cheating."
"It's a fact that no two people would like the same book, but that fear should not confine our creative spirit and urge to offer something new," he added.
After Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (film on the life of Milkha Singh), the filmmaker will now be directing his second biopic on dacoit Putlibai, for which the work will start in the next 3-4 years.
During an interview with Millennium Post, Rakeysh talked about the ongoing trend of biopics and how the genre has been overused by the filmmakers.
"Movies are not like cars that can be replicated to meet the need of the consumer, hence you need to keep experimenting with the story. But in the case of biopics, you have a different 'subject' every time – thereby making the movie one of its kind (with a story that's unknown to the majority)."
Recently Omprakash Mehra was in the Capital for the launch of 'PVR Screening room' which will give a stage for more interactive sessions and help creative minds to connect and discuss content and techniques.
Speaking on occasion he said, "Conversation is very important to go in depth and to know the perception of audience, as their voice is extremely important to be heard."
Further, he added that increasing the number of screens will give an opportunity to those new filmmakers who have great ideas but lack the money. "Such spaces can prove to be a platform for the growing artists who want to change the face of Indian cinema"
While concluding the conversation, he said "Movies are produced By the people and For the people – conveying a large number of emotions. That's why My favourite subject to make movies is 'people'. This is something that moves me and what moves me requires to be in
the frame"
Quoting an example he stated, "Rang De Basanti's characters were inspired by people who were around me during my school life, and experiences I had all along. I tried to put all those experiences in the movie and that's why audience feel connected to the story even today."
