Ban on pakistani artistes at biffes is film fraternity's mode of protest
Bengaluru: Renowned Bollywood filmmaker Rahul Rawail, who started his career as assistant director to Raj Kapoor at 16, went onto direct more than a dozen hit Hindi movies including the classics such as 'Love Story, ‘Arjun, Dacoit amongst others. He had some advice for young filmmakers: break rules and follow your heart.
He was speaking at the interactive session anchored by Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy chairman Nagathihalli Chandrasekhar. The man who introduced Sunny Deol, Amruta Singh, Kajol, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and others to Hindi movies, expressed that the Pulwama attack in which more than 40 CRPF personnel were martyred was a shameful act.
As for the total ban on Pakistani artists, Rahul feels that although creativity transcends boundaries, language, or religion, the film industry had to protest and this was the most effective mode.
Recalling his association with Raj Kapoor, the director talked about Kapoor's love, passion and dedication towards films. “He had a 360- degree knowledge of movies. He was very passionate, and despite success and failures, nothing deterred his efforts as a filmmaker.
When one of his favourite creations, Mera Naam Joker, became a box-office debacle, he simply went on to do Bobby with two newcomers. “He shot when he felt like it only and never if he wasn’t in the right mood,” Rahul shares.
Regional cinema? What’s that, Raiwal asks. There is no regional cinema, just cinema. “A lot of good movies are being made in other than Hindi. Even Hollywood is a complex things, as they make a majority of movies which are trash. The Oscars, to me, are as good as the Filmfare Awards, which are given for the best works.”
About nepotism, he expresses that as long as a star actor or actress launches their children with an intention to make them bigger stars, then there is a problem. “If the audiences like them, it is good, but if they are failed actors pushed into stardom despite repeated rejections, then nepotism is a problem,” he says.
Today, content-driven cinema appears to have overtaken the fascination with the stars. “In the past, the star actors decided everything. Fortunately, the content driven approach has diluted that influence.”
Rahul Rawail has also writen abook, Raj Kapoor at Work, which wil be released soon. He also hopes to direct a web series soon.
