Earlier reports have indicated that ARR is doing Ashoka...
----- Original Message ----
From: Gomzy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, January 4, 2008 10:24:47 PM
Subject: [arr] [SemiARR??] RajKumar Santoshi on Ashoka and Ajay Devgan
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I hope ARR is doing this ??Also RKS talks about Ramyan!
http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/jan/04raj.htm
You love working with him, don't you?
He is a trusted friend. And I feel that I will continue working with him for
many years. I never get tired of working with Ajay. He will be playing the lead
in Ashoka and then in the
Ramayan. Both will be made within two years. I am sure people will be astounded
how he will interpret the two compellingly fascinating characters. Ajay is one
of the few leading men in the industry today who will some day become a very
valued character actor.
What do you feel most appealing in him?
He has never been a chocolate face actor. Though he has received a lot of
praise for his performances and awards, I feel every time I work with him,
there is so much more talent in him that is waiting to be exploited. Ajay
surprises me every time we are doing a new film.
What kind of Ashoka would he make?
I am sure he will bring out well all the contradictions, weaknesses and
strengths in Ashoka. I love history and I read extensively about historical
people. I have been thinking of this film for many years, and Ajay was always
there in my mind as Ashoka.
Some filmmakers would have been tempted to cast 'handsome' actor as Ashoka.
(Chuckles) That is the point. From my reading, I know that Ashoka was not a
handsome person in the traditional sense. He was also a dark skinned person.
One of Ajay's strengths is that he can get under the skin of any well-written
role and make it his own. He has sharp, expressive eyes. And he appears to be
very natural in all the challenging characters he has played so far.
People surely have asked this question before. There is already a film on
Ashoka, starring Shah Rukh Khan [
Images
] and directed by Santosh Sivan. The film got mixed reviews and did not perform
well. What made you decide on another film on the emperor?
The answer lies in your question. It is not that I did not like the previous
film. But I found it ended at a very important juncture, the Battle of Kalinga,
that led to Ashoka getting horrified with the carnage on the battlefield and
renouncing warfare.
My film starts where Santosh Sivan's film ended. I am fascinated by the life
and times of Ashoka. I remember reading H G Wells, who considered Ashoka to be
the most powerful emperor because of the moral strength he had in renouncing
violence and seeking an ethical life for himself and his people. Wells
considered Ashoka to be even greater than Alexander and Julius Caesar. It would
not have surprised me to read an Indian historian calling Ashoka great. But a
British historian recognising Ashoka's greatness? How can I resist the idea of
making a film on Ashoka?
There surely some people in the film business who think it is a risky subject?
I am sure. But the fact that I am all ready to make the film --- we plan to
start shooting it in February --- shows my confidence in the subject.
What did you find most interesting about Ashoka's life?
I am tempted to look at what might have happened after he renounced war and he
actually begin to believe in the renunciation. I don't think the transition was
easy. I don't think he stopped fighting the demons within himself once he took
that decision. I am often intrigued by, whether I read a novel or study
history, the transitional period.
What made you choose Bipasha Basu [
Images] for Ashoka?
I think Ajay and Bipasha have excellent screen chemistry. She plays the role of
Kaurwaki. She has to be sensuous and also a person of determination. This could
be one of the most challenging roles of her career.
There surely are people who will remind you about The Legend of Bhagat Singh.
Did that film eventually make the money?
The producers of the film say they haven't recovered the investment. And yet,
TIPS is so proud of the film, it is mentioned as their proudest achievement.
Though the film was not a runaway hit, thousands liked it. It won many awards.
Many people in India consider it to be one of the finest historical films made
by an Indian filmmaker.
