In An Interview With Subhash K Jha Pooja Bhatt Opens Up About Her Life, Priorities,Pets & Peeves
Your stepsister Alia says you’re the only one the entire Bhatt family listens to , and that includes your father Mahesh Bhatt?
Is that true?
I don’t know. But I do know that I have a conscience and moral values. And I think a conscience is what finally matters You won’t see me compromising just because it is convenient for me to do so. A friend suggested that I write my autobiography. I can write a book. But I’ve to tell the truth. And I can’t do that because it involves other people’s lives. What would we be without those who are part of our lives? As I grow older I realize that just because I’m so obsessed with the truth it doesn’t mean that everyone else in my life is equally comfortable with it. So either I drop the idea of an autobiography or wait for everyone I love to just die(laughs).That’s a terrible thought. Cancel the autobiography.
Pooja, how come we don’t see you on screen any more?
I am not offered anything. No one wants to cast me! Earlier they though I was a producer-director’s daughter , hence difficult. Now I am a producer-director myself. So you can imagine how intimidated they are. The last person who was brave enough to cast me was Rahul Bose in Everybody Says I’m Fine. He gave me no choice. He is my dearest friend . I confided in him about how disillusioned I was by the business of cinema and stardom. He offered me a role. I was aghast. ‘What kind of a friend are you? I just told you I’m sick of the industry and you’re offering me a role???!!!’ He insisted that only I could play Tanya. But I am so glad he insisted.I am indebted to him. Though I haven’t met Rahul since Everybody Says I’m Fine he reiterated his friendship for me by insisting I do the role. When a friend insists the least you can do is succumb.
We haven’t seen you on screen since then?
After Rahul no one offered me any role except Padam Kumar. I was too petrified to respond to his offer. Filmmakers think I am Mahesh Bhatt’s daughter, so I’d ask too many questions. They thought the same way about the great Tanuja. She had the balls and the gall to be a thinking actress and they never allowed her to succeed to the extent that she deserved. I remember meeting her during the year of Zakham after a popular awards function. She told me she had seen me in Zakham and had connected with my performance like never before. Then Tanujaji said something to me that broke my heart. ‘Don’t think this industry is only for the men . Claim and inherit your space because you have it in you.’ Years later when I met her again she had forgotten her advice. But I remembered and cherished it. But you know that? I enjoy just being a producer and a home maker. I love being in-charge. I love being the tortured and tormented soul . I am a Piscean. I enjoy the real-life drama fully.
Being a woman how have you managed to survive as a producer?
I was India’s youngest producer .I was 21 when I produced my first film. I’ve continued to produce films because of the people who have worked with me and supported me.
But so many actors have betrayed you?
Actors betray. Technicians don’t. Movies are made by technicians. My DOP,light men, art director…these are the people who have stayed with me over the years. They’d give their lives for me. I safeguard their interests like a communist. My dear friend Randeep Hooda says I am more a unionist than an actor. I reminded him I was a star and not just an actor.Tell me something. How many of today’s stars know their spotboys and lightboys by name? For me the guy who holds the thermocol is more important than the guy who stands in front of it. Call me leftist or Maoist . But that’s the way I am. And it’s because of my deep bonding with my technicians that I am able to make my movies economically and they’re much better-looking than my father’s films.
You really think your films are better looking?
Yes. I am only in competition with the people who taught me cinema.I am not in competition with anyone in the industry.Who gives a damn about the industry? What industry? Everything I learnt about production came from my uncle Mukesh Bhatt. Mahesh Bhatt has taught me all that I know about sharing an equation with people.What my father has taught me is that you can lie to anybody but not to yourself.
Do you often come face to face with the truth about yourself?
Recently I went to Ooty after 15 years. My memory was hit by all those films that I shot there like Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin and Sadak. I found Gautam Rajadhyaksha’s book with his pictures of me in a store. I had posed nude long before anyone else had. Gautam had said, ‘The only person Pooja hurts with her candidness is herself.’ You have to be ready for the hurt. I believe when you are given a special life you owe it to the universe to be yourself.I’ve to rage against the wind. I’ve to experience the pitch-dark to relish the dawn. I think in India women with their own mind are still resented.A woman with a vagina, boobs and a brain is considered very intimidating.
How do you deal with Bipasha Basu or Sunny Leone moving away after getting their breakthrough project from you?
I let the film industry deal with them. There is no loyalty in this business, don’t you know that? If people say thank you after being given a break then I am lucky.With Sunny Leone it was the question of ,who would bell the cat? I had the gall to do that.I remember Sanjay Dutt sending a message to Dino Morea saying they wanted Sunny Leone for an item song in Ram Gopal Varma’s Department. If they wanted her they should’ve asked me. Instead Dino asked, ‘Baba (Dutt) Bol raha hai ussey Sunny Leone chahiye.’ I replied, ‘Bol do Baby bol rahi hai , nahin.’ Then Ramu sent me a message saying he would be able to shoot Sunny much better than me as his was the male perspective. I asked Ramu if he had seen my poster of Jism 2. I sent it to him. He asked me to trust him with Sunny. But why should I trust his male perspective when I was the one to bell the cat? You can’t suddenly come and steal my thunder away.
Ms Leone was back then condemned for being a porn star and how dare she, etc etc
Yes. My father and I got the point. …I am finished with all the ladies that I worked with. For me their stardom isn’t of any interest. Years ago I was offered Rahu Rawail’s Bekhudi the film that launched Kajol. My father wanted to know whether I wanted to be a star or an actor. The choice for me was clear. I chose Daddy. I am proud of Daddy, Zakahm and even Prem Deewane and Everybody Says I’m Fine…Even now if someone is willing to cast me I’d be happy to act. It’d be an absolute joy to be on a set and told what to do. Contrary to belief I’m not a control freak. I wish my men realized that. If they told me what to do I’d have done it.
You’ve been a rebel all your life?
Today I see Karan Johar finally attain puberty at 42. Everybody in the film industry is now discovering that turning pointing in their lives at 40-plus. I got there at 17. I’ve been there, done that, bought the teeshirt and sold it. How wonderful that I go to bed at 10 pm and wake up at 5 am instead of going to bed at 5 am. Thanks to Manisha Koirala and me today’s girls admit to a boyfriend .They even kiss in public. I was very happy kissing on screen.But if you asked me to sing a double-meaning song like Sarkayee lo khatiya I wouldn’t be able to do it. I am proud I made Tammanna at 21 and Jissm at 29.I want to ask you if any of my contemporaries are doing what I am? No. End of discussion.
Imtiaz Ali thinks marriage makes an individual a mediocre person. Your take?
It depends on whom you are married to.My happiness has never depended on the men in my life, be it my father, lover or husband.I found my happiness in my own heart.I made my mistakes.And I’m proud of them.
Your heart is that of a gypsy?
Of course it it. And thank God for that. I am great organizer, a great motivator and my unit dotes on me. The reason I make films cheaper than my father and uncle is because I’ve more heart. They can’t be on field during the job. I can.And I am.

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Rakesh Roshan: “Everything I Know About Acting & Direction, I Learnt From K Vishwanathji”

The mighty moviemaker K Vishwanath who was to Telugu cinema what Satyajit Ray was to Bengali cinema, passed away on February 2,leaving behind a luminous legacy.
Acto-director Rakesh Roshan who had the rare honour of working in four projects with Vishwanath recalls him with tremendous respect. “Everything I know about acting and direction I learnt from him. He was a stalwart , an institution, and so passionate about his work. I had the privilege of being directed by him in two films Aurat Aurat Aurat and Shubh Kamna. He would show his actors exactly what he wanted, down to the minutest gesture.His understanding of the medium was extraordinary.”
Rakesh Roshan remembers how he invited Vishwanath to make films for him. “I produced two films that Vishwanathji directed. One was Kaamchor, the other was Jaag Utha Insaan.While the first was a runaway success, the second didn’t do well.”
Speaking on how Kaamchor happened Rakesh recalls, “Vishwanathji and I used to meet socially in Hyderabad.We wanted to work together. But we had no script.One evening when we met he looked very depressed. When I asked him what was wrong, he said his new release Shubodayam (in Telugu) had flopped. That night I went to see Shobodayam in a theatre in Hyderabad. The next morning I told Vishwanathji, ‘We’ve found our script’. I told him where the storytelling in Shubhodayam had gone wrong.We corrected the script and that’s how Kaamchor happened. Although the entire story revolved around me, it was Jaya Prada who benefited from Kaamchor.”
About the beautiful Jaag Utha Insaan , Rakesh Roshan admits bluntly, “It flopped because of miscasting. During those days Sridevi was known in Hindi cinema as a glamorous heroine. We cast her as classical dancer. Mithun Chakraborty had the image of Gun Master G-9 and Disco Dancer.We cast him as a downtrodden underdog. I was known for Kaamchor and other citybred characters,I was cast as a Brahmin pandit.With other actors Jaag Utha Insaan would have been a superhit”
Rakesh met K Vishwanath six years ago. “We were shooting for Krissh in Hyderabad. He came on the set several times. We had so much to say to each other. After that we lost contact. He was very very busy with many projects. K Vishwanathji lived for his cinema.”
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As His Latest Work Faraaz Releases Today, Hansal Mehta Speaks To Subhash K Jha On The Exciting Times Ahead

Hansal, Faraaz is your fifteenth directorial venture. How does it feel to have come so far with so many milestones behind you?
I don’t count my films. Genuinely. Every film is a new beginning. Every film has its share of uncertainty and nerves. Perhaps it is also because of the choices I make. There is no scope for either complacency or me carrying a false sense of security. I’m not complaining,though. Living life on the edge keeps me going.
I consider Faraaz to be a part of your great trilogy on the dynamics of terrorism, after Shahid and Omerta…where do you see Faraaz positioned in your creative ambit?
Thank you , Subhash.Faraaz is a film I’m very, very proud of. It was a challenge to pull off, a tough journey but creatively a very satisfying one. As Rajkummar Rao told me after watching the film , the Trilogy is complete now. Time to explore new stories and new characters. And finish post-production for all the exciting things that we shot for over the past eighteen months.
Out of curiosity which of your films have given you the most creative satisfaction?
Almost every film Shahid onwards has been immensely satisfying , both in terms of process and the outcome. Save a couple that I need not name. But even those I own for all their flaws, failures, deficiencies and redeeming qualities. But Faraaz has been a great process. I’ve made so many new friends in this journey and found some of the most exciting colleagues that I’m proud to introduce through the film. Writers Raghav Kakkar and Kashyap Kapoor (who co-wrote the film with Ritesh Shah), Cinematographer Pratham Mehta, Sound Designer Mandar Kulkarni, Editor Amitesh Mukherjee, co-producers Sahil, Maz and Sakshi – all of whom have given their blood and sweat to make this film happen. And of course Anubhav Sinha one of my oldest friends in the industry who backed me in telling this story just the way I wanted it. So yes, Faraaz has been satisfying and also filled me with a deep sense of gratitude. I must have done something right, no?
Of course. Faraaz has a lot of young new actors in it. Tell me about the process of casting in this film? It couldn’t have been easy since there are dozens of faces?
That was the challenge and the joy of making this film. I worked on the story during Chhalaang and I always knew that it would be a return to my indie roots for Faraaz. The film had to be made. And it needed fresh faces, bereft of image or trappings of stardom. A huge credit to Mukesh Chhabra who has a huge role to play in my filmography since Shahid. We constantly challenge each other and never ever give up. Casting is a process I really enjoy and finding the right talent to bring characters alive is something I thrive upon. Faraaz has an amazing ensemble. Right from Aditya Rawal , Zahan Kapoor, Juhi Babbar to every small character in the film including the officers, parents and the hostages this one is a triumph of honest casting , casting without an eye on profits, simply in service of the film, of the character.
Faraaz is about a terror attack in Bangladesh?how do you respond to those who want to know, why Bangladesh?
In our research of this dastardly attack we realised that here was a story that had a larger message and something very universal to share. Misguided youth taking up violence in the name of religion or a parent’s love for her child or the unexpected bravery from an unlikely hero are themes that cannot be limited by borders, nationality or language. These stories must be told. They must transcend the limitations of perceived local relevance – particularly when our polarised times need such stories to be told to a larger audience.
In 2020, your OTT series Scam 1992 proved to b e game changer. Do you see Scam as a turning point in your career?
I see Scam 1992 as an enabler. We did not expect its humongous success and to say it did not change things would be fake humility. It gave me back a lot of things I had lost in the years before it released. Including some money. And the courage to tell the stories I desperately wanted to. Also exceptional friends and collaborators like Sameer Nair and his Studio Applause.
Your films and your attitude to cinema has always been fearless. How do you cope with the threat of growing intolerance in our society vis a vis your convictions as a filmmaker?
It is not new to me. Remember Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar in 2000? The only difference now is that then I was deeply affected by the intolerance to a point of self destruction. Now I channelise my despair and anger into telling relevant stories and through them taking on those who have made it a business to be intolerant.
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To Attend Siddharth-Kiara’s Destination Wedding, Karan Johar Preponed His Twins’s Birthday Bash

For those who are wondering why Karan Johar hosted the grand birthday party for his twins Roohi and Yash who will turn 6 on 7 February, six days in advance on 1 February here is why: on the day of his twins’ birthday, Karan will be in Rajasthan attending the wedding celebrations of his dear friends Siddharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani who are getting married on February 6.
Reveals a friend close to Karan, “Karan was in a dilemma. To him there is nothing more important than his children’s happiness. How could he break their hearts by skipping the most important day of their lives? At the same time, how could he not attend Siddharth and Kiara’s wedding ? They are very close to him.”
Karan did the best thing possible to resolve the situation: he put the dilemma before his children Yash and Juhi who happily agreed to have their party a few days in advance so their ‘Dada’ could attend his friends’ wedding.
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The Big Independence Day Clash To Be Averted?

Sunny Deol, John Abraham Ranbir Kapoor and the Covid Vaccine are all set to clash at the boxoffice this Independence Day .
While the Ranbir Kapoor starrer Animal and Sunny Deol’s long-awaited Gadar sequel are both scheduled for release on August 11, John Abraham’s Tariq releases three days later on August 15.On the same day Vivek(The Kashmir Files) also releases The Covid Vaccine.
It looks like a crowded weekend, with one too many releases for audiences to choose from.
Apparently intense discussions are on among the producers of the four big films to see how the clutter can be resolved.
A source close to the development says, “Gadar 2 is the right fit for the Independence Day weekend. But the producers of Animal are in no mood to move from August 13 . John who is a co-producer on Tariq and Vivek Agnihotri with his Covid Vaccine are also adamant on coming on August 15.The Independence Day weekend is a long weekend. So let’s see…”
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