'Entertainment Is Not A Routine Formula Now'

Anupam Kher: Hindi films are going in the right direction. In my opinion in the lastone and a half - two years theaudience has changed. Earlier routine films were being made, but now, in the last two years that severalfilms have been flopping, films made by trained film makers are coming out. Entertainment is not a routineformula now. With the advent of satellite channels the audience has become very knowledgeable. I callit the transition period. Not only for Indians, but all the film makers in the world, whether in America orEurope.  Big films released in America do great business here, so in my opinion this is the golden periodfor Hindi films.

Nagendar Sharma: You mean to say that a variety has come into Hindi films just like your acting since you’ve essayed awide variety of roles.

BBC listener from U.P.: As you said, a lot of changes are happening because of the advent of satellite channels -  why are Hindifilms presenting the past to the viewers, especially when in the present 1, 30,000 people don’t have homes inIndia and 27 crore people live below poverty line? By showing the events of 1947 in the 21^st century,don’t you think that you are encouraging the Hindu -Muslim divide?

Anupam Kher:  You are talking about differences between Hindu -Muslims because of films, which is completely wrong.Films on Jews and Germans are being made since the last fifty years. In fact, I watched a movie last night calledThe Pianist, which showed the same events. I think that such  films inform.You can talk toyour local priest or Maulvi, I think they will be able to provide right direction to you. I disagree withyour opinion that ups and downs amongst community relations are because of films. Films have nothing to do withall this. Films are for entertainment and if you feel that they misinform, then those feelings must be thrivingin your heart rather than in films.

BBC listener from Calcutta: I thinks film stars are very lucky because in our nation we tend to forget our bravesoldiers who give up their lives for the country but even when film stars are caught with evidence aboutunderworld connections, arms, etc. they are still loved and admired. What is you opinion?

Anupam Kher: Recently a poll was conducted by a prestigious magazine in India which said the profession of soldiersis the most honest. The profession of films was rated number 4 and on number 11 and12 were similar professions.Whatever role is given to an actor, he essays it just as a doctor treats a rich or poorperson , criminal or murdereralike. That doesn’t mean that his line of thinking changes to suit his patient. So I suggest that youdon’t watch the films being made today, instead watch religious films and other goodfilms; or divert yourattention from films and I respect you for your viewpoint.

BBC listener from Dubai: In old films, when actresses like Helen performed cabaret dances, people criticisedthem.Even then, her (Helen's) work was far superior to the work being done now. So why can’t this happen in current-dayfilms. Why is their less acting and more exposure now ?

Anupam Kher: Do you think that people in Dubai, the city of you residence, walk around fully clothed? Earlier, onecooked on a stove and now one cooks using a microwave. I think it has become fashionable to criticise Hindi Films.I respect your point of view but Helen Ji had grace. I think its a way of looking at things. I am sure youcould see a lot of vulgar things on channels in Dubai or in magazines. Its all a matter of time. A few yearsearlier, one couldn’t imagine someone sitting in Dubai having a conference withsomeone in London or in Mumbai. Technologyhas both its disadvantages and advantages.

Nagendar Sharma: As you said, films entertain. So, keeping in mind what you said, is it that  you believevulgarity has not increased in films?

Anupam Kher: It has not been too long since Independence. I believe thatbecause of the way we’ve been fighting forIndependence for two hundred years before that, the films which were made after that were all social and familydramas. Films only reflect the times that a country is going through and a person from India who buys a ticketto a film only wants to be entertained. Someone asked me, what are the modes of entertainment in India? So Isaid, watching films and producing children We are number one in both - population and number of films. The samelimits you impose in your households should be imposed on films. If a person from a good household watches afilm, he will imbibe the good out of it. Similarly a person from a bad household will notice only the faults.So it all depends on your upbringing and values.

BBC listener from Aligarh: You have been an accomplished actor and now you say thatit is a good time forHindi films. I don’t agree with you. Some films which are being made cannot be watched with families. Filmslike Devdas and Lagaan inspire people. In spite of that, why are we making films which encouragevulgarity?  Filmslike Andaaz and Khwahish are being made. Why?

Anupam Kher: First, let me tell you that you are named after an actor, Dharmendra Ji. Secondly, you are right, if you feel afilm is vulgar, don’t watch it. As far as I am concerned, I have learnt a lotfrom films and earn mylivelihood from them, so I can’t really criticise these films. But I can recognise their shortcomings. In thelast eighteen years, I’ve acted in 295 films. If you find my films vulgar, you tell me, I can answer for them. In this society and our neighbourhood, there are both good and bad people. We usually ignore the bad andinteract with the good ones. Some film makers think that films with vulgarity are profitable ventures andhence make them.

Nagendar Sharma: Bend It Like Beckham was made in England. You were the only Indian actor to act init. It was a very realistic mirror of the Asian society in Britain. Why doesn't such experimentationtake place in Hindi films?

Anupam Kher: Dil Chahta Hai was a very nice film. I’ll give you an example: When Ramayan and Mahabharatbegan, I saw people garlanding their television sets and watching these serials only after removing theirchappals. But after 10 to 11 a.m., when these serials were telecast, life would return back tonormal.When these landmark serials could not manage to change people, how can films do so? Lagaan and Gadar were goodfilms and being Indians we should not hide our love for the nation.

BBC listener from Jhansi: You are the Chairman of National School ofDrama and have acted in theatre. There is a philosophy intheatre that vulgar scenes should not be enacted on stage, but don’t you think that the same should applyfor films? If you feel that the public demands it, then isn’t it your job to develop the publictaste?

Anupam Kher: A three hour film does not erode one’s culture. If your mental strength is so weak then the problemis with you, and not with the film. Because culture begins at home. I am sure viewers can access FTV inJhansi, and a lot of vulgarity must be displayed in other mediums like magazinesand internet as well. Somodernism has its advantages and disadvantages. And as you are saying that we must imbibe the positiveinfluence of modernity and save ourselves from its bad influences, my view is that  the day this happenswill be a day of extreme contentment and happiness for all.

BBC listener from Chattisgarh: My question pertains to your opinion that vulgarity lies in the mind, and films cannotinfluence one to be vulgar. Then why in a fifteen minute climax scene are ten minutesgiven to vulgarscenes and five minutes to other sequences?

Anupam Kher:  I will stick to my stand because I believe in it. I will not call for a judicial investigation into it.But if you feel that in a fifteen  minute climax scene ten minutes are devoted to vulgarity, then I suggest you closeyour eyes for five minutes, that will balance it out. Some films will be good and some bad, just like somerestaurants are good and some bad. If their is a good and a bad restaurant near your house, I’m sureyou’ll visit the good one. The same applies for films- watch good films and imbibe good education from them.

Nagendar Sharma: In the last two decades, the influence of the underworld has been more than apparent in Hindi films.What is the reason for it?

Anupam Kher: Yes, there are a few undesirable elements which entered Hindi films, but they are decreasing now.Because ninety percent of films have flopped in the last two years, now there is a knowledge that only those people shouldmake films who know their craft. Earlier, anyone with money could make a film.No certain degree ofprofessionalism was required. Those who have been through the underworld nexus is either because theyhave benefited monetarily or that they were helpless. I am in not in favour of this.

BBC listener from Bahrain: My question is slightly off thetopic: New actors speak mostly inEnglish. It is not good for the prosperity of Hindi. Why is it so then?

Anupam Kher: All I can say is that such people don’t survive for long in the industry. Instead, people who speakand think in Hindi have been able to survive long. Till the time you don’t think in Hindi and speak, youwill not be able to emote accordingly for the character you are playing. But since no prior qualification isrequired for joining films these things happen.

BBC listener from Delhi: These days there is a trend of copying Hollywood films in story andin style. Where willthis influence lead to?

Anupam Kher: There is a dearth of good writers in Hindi films but let me tell you that all blockbusters in the last20-25 years have been original stories, be it either Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,  Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, DilwaleDulhaniya Le Jayenge. In Malyalam, Telgu and Tamil, a lot of original work is being done. There isn't a totalbankruptcy of good writers in the Hindi industry. Movies Like Lagaan had  original scripts.

Nagendar Sharma: What is the reason for the dearth of original scripts and reason for copycat films?

Anupam Kher: I would like to repeat that this trend is finished. The audience likes to be entertained by variety.Till the entire audience doesn’t start thinking and watching thought provoking films, we can’t expecttotally original versions.

Nagendar Sharma: You have acted in almost 300 films and essayed various roles. Which do you think has been your bestfilm so far?

Anupam Kher: I think Daddy was a good film; Saraansh was more of an author backed role but Daddywas the story of a defeated man. I think I’ll be able to answer this question better 50 years from now.

Nagendar Sharma: From your villainous roles, people will never forget your role of Doctor Dang in Karma. Howdifficult was it doing that role?

Anupam Kher: The role did not require any special preparation as such,because Subhash Ghai had created the ambiencefor it. And as it is, a villain opposite Dilip Kumar is a big villain. The aura created around the character bySubhash Ghai was superb and I fitted the part well.