. He believes that he will always be a no-frills filmmaker. Why do you dislike commercial cinema so much?
I don't dislike it, but I don't believe in these "masala" movies either. In fact, my belief in intelligent cinema is not even important. It is the distributors "" well, most of them "" who don't trust the audiences enough to understand good cinema.
Is this coming from the disheartening box office reports of Khoya Khoya Chand?
(Smiles) I am certain that my movie had the audience reacting and noticing my message.
While making Khoya Khoya Chand, I didn't think of Hazaaron... or Chameli. I don't like to think that one film is better than another one that I have made. Khoya Khoya... is just a different kind of film. You may not call it a commercial success, but I believed in my movie.
So, you will never get into making a commercial hit, even if it was to raise some money?
No, I won't. I have no intention of getting into the rut of making "inspired" films or remakes from south Indian cinema. Last year, we had several hit films that were clear rip-offs of yesteryears' hits or copied versions of south Indian movies. Is this what they call creativity today?
In India, it's either Gandhigiri or nothing. I am supposed to clap because some filmmaker has taught me Gandhigiri. I also know that actors like Shah Rukh Khan or any other Khan would not be a part of my films, ever.
Did you ever offer them films?
They won't do my films as they do not believe in my kind of films. They are commercial heroes, and I am not blaming them but they do not want to do my movies.
On the other hand, the mass audience today seems to be drawn to stars in multiplexes not movies in theatres.
Are there any lessons learnt?
Yes, that stars get you money in the first few weeks of opening and distributors are happy to distribute such a loaded movie. Of course, the content matters, but a good star cast matters more.
Any new projects that you are getting ready with?
I am very serious about animation and will be announcing plans to launch an animation project soon. I have met producers and I know the script is good. This year, you shall also see a new face.
