With a stellar cast, the TV show, Namkarann is raising a lot of curiosity. We caught up with the brain behind the project, Mahesh Bhatt to unravel what lies in store for the audiences ahead. Excerpts from the interview:
Tell us about your TV show Namkarann is a retelling of your 1998 film, Zakhm?
My last directorial film Zakhm was autobiographical. It was based on my mother and my troubled life. But to say that Namkarann is a rehash of Zakhm is totally incorrect. In fact, it takes off where Zakhm ends. It’s not an autobiographical show. Every writer draws from their own lives or people around them. My life too has provided a springboard to Namkarann.
You have been comparing the leading lady of your show, Barkha Bisht with the legendary actress Smita Patil. Is this comparison justified?
Barkha is a fascinating actress. Her performance reminds me of Smita Patil of the bygone days. Barkha has a beautiful face. I am giving this much time and energy to television after a very long time.
You have made brilliant films like Daddy and Dil Hai Ke Maanta Nahi for Pooja Bhatt. But you haven’t made a single film for Alia so far. Does she complain about it?
Alia will only work for my films if I contribute to her brand. She is a professional — she should keep me out if I do not contribute to her growing stature. As you know, I don’t work with stars and Alia is a star. Secondly I do not use my children as my ticket. I am a very active man, very relevant, perhaps more relevant than them. If and when our mutual needs agree, we will perhaps work together. One day she came to me after she saw Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee and said ‘Papa you must write a film like that for me’. And I was like what’s happened to her? I don’t think she needs to hold her father’s hand. Whenever she comes to a crossroad in life, she messages me and we talk. I think nothing can be more fulfilling for a father than to see his daughters flying on their own. That is a sign of having been a successful parent.
Alia has been a commercially successful star unlike Pooja. What do you think went wrong in Pooja’s case?
Alia is dedicated and younger. Pooja chose to move away from stardom and make movies. She has not been able to establish herself as a filmmaker. That’s another story, but she is still a person who is in the driving seat.
I believe she is far more successful because she has lived her life on her own terms. To me, that is success. Success is not how much screen time you had or how much space you get in the national glossies. Success is when you live life on your own terms without being manipulated by any external power centre. She lives her life on her own terms and she never leans to her father for a penny.
