When the biggest Hindi film of the year comes to the biggest film festival of the country, eyebrows are bound to be raised. Does Bajrangi Bhaijaan deserve space in the Indian Panorama? Director Kabir Khan feels it does. “There should be more representation of mainstream cinema. People often say that Bollywood actors don’t turn up for IFFI. It will happen only when you engage with the industry. Of course the film has to be meritorious. One should not look at a mainstream film only when it becomes a huge blockbuster. There were very nice films this year which could have made the cut.” But then many argue that mainstream films already occupy so much space at the box office. “Festival is made by audience and I believe they like to watch all kinds of films. Good cinema could be popular as well. Bajrangi was screened at the Busan Film Festival and 5,000 people came to watch it. It thrilled me as much as its box office performance,” counters Kabir.
A regular at film festivals in his earlier avatar of a documentary filmmaker, Kabir is in an interesting space today where he is blending the best of both the worlds. His films are as political as they are popular. “A film should have a real context. It can’t be set in a vacuum. As an audience I used to struggle. For a long time people used to say that don’t put politics in films but I don’t buy this argument. So when I got an opportunity I strived for this balance and Bajrangi has been the most satisfying experience because here I have been able to achieve the correct balance between an entertaining story and real politics, something I have been trying to achieve since Kabul Express. There was a time when my friends used to advise not to talk about my documentary background in front of a producer. Today, it is my biggest USP.”
Edited excerpts from an interview on the sidelines of NFDC’s Film Bazaar:
The film continues to be relevant in these times when the intolerance debate is making headlines
The context is very important. I see cinema as a great opportunity to address issues. We are living in times where there is huge a polarisation between communities. There are pre-conceived notions about eating habits. A lot has been said about Indo-Pakistan angle in the film. But to me the first half was more important as it dealt with the borders within. How do we address each other in this country? I am glad that I adopted a humorous treatment. It allowed me to access a larger audience. When the chicken song plays you can enjoy the song at face value but it also conveys something deeper. It celebrates our diversity.
But recent incidents show not much has changed in the real world
Unfortunately, films can do only that much and not more. However, the kind of money it made shows that the subject found acceptance. And some lives have changed. Like the Geeta episode.
There is a point of view that the film was made to please the ruling dispensation
I am surprised when people say this. In the film Chaudhary dhaba is half vegetarian and half non vegetarian and the owner says he doesn’t make a distinction among its customers. The hero comes from the RSS background but the ideology doesn’t serve his purpose. Ultimately, he realises that to become a good human being you should overcome your prejudices.
When I was growing up Ramleela was an important part of our lives in Delhi. For 20 days we used to remain engaged with the tale and the nights when Hanuman was in charge used to be the most fascinating for me. But in the mid 80s with the rise of right wing organisations like Bajrang Dal, Bajarangbali became an alienating name for Muslims. I was told that that naming the character Bajrangi will alienate one community. I said Bajrangi is part of our ethos. I wanted to reclaim Bajrangbali and I am glad I did it because today when you say Bajrangi the first name that comes to your mind is not Bajrang Dal, not Babu Bajrangi but Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
In the process the film has also washed out memories ofGadarkind of cinema.
My point was every character should come across a person and not a cardboard. What happens is the moment you tell an actor that you are playing a Pakistani even seasoned players start posturing in a certain way. I made it clear that the nationality of the character should not come in the way of performance.
Now that your canvas has got expansive, your documentary on Indian National Army could be good turned into a feature film
Of course, it is a story waiting to be told. It could well be my next film or the film after that. I will make an announcement within a month.
