Subhash Ghai is back to what he is best at– direction–with Yuvvraaj *What kept you away from directing movies?* Give a gap of four-five years and people tend to think that 'Subhash has given up on direction'. But I was busy creating new filmmakers in the process at my Whistling Woods Institute (WWI). I also spent these years to design, set up, to operate and just to get the Institute at a position where it is today. I have made WWI with my blood, soul, money and precious time. I am glad that 78 diploma holders graduated from the Institute this year.
*It must have been a huge task for you.* Yes and today I have 320 students. It was not an easy job for a filmmaker like me to stop churning out films and make filmmakers instead. Movie making was not as tough a job for me as this was and so I would say it was as good as making 25 films during these five years. *You obviously want to take this institute to a greater level.* I want to take my institute into multi-locations for the next generation. I have not constructed this for my daughters; it is to get them jobs. I want them to grow with this institution. I don't want them to be spoilt with my money and property. They have to grow with the values and knowledge provided to them. It is also for other ambitious youngsters who want to prove their abilities. *During this time, you turned to production and saw success there as well.* I know I am talented, I know my job, I am passionate about my work and work very hard. The day I feel I am no longer talented and have lost passion to work, I will say 'goodbye' to films graciously. But I am yet to say that and till then I have umpteen things to do in life of which producing films is one of them. I took a risk to get away from the Subhash Ghai stamp and made Black - And-White to convey my thoughts to our society. This year has been too hard-pressed for me as I was making two films with diverse sensibilities. This is also the first time ever that I have released two films in a year. And what is interesting is that they are a contrast; while the theme of one is black and white (dark side of the human society) the other is colourful. *Your films are known to be different.* That's because I have my own genre. My films are never compared to anyone else but my own. One can easily make out a 'Subhash Ghai film'. Not all can make a film like Yash Chopra, Madhur Bhandarkar or Anurag Kashyap as they have their own style. There are some very brilliant filmmakers today. I respect them all. But I think I am also one of the best, still. *Coming to your latest Yuvvraaj, what according to you is the USP of the film?* Its music. I promise you that everyone will appreciate its compositions. My focus was to make a film of modern times and the best musical ever-made. For this you need a plot to expand your music over two-half hours. *And isn't this also the first film that you have come together with AR Rahman and Gulzar.* To make a musical, it is Rahman who first came to my mind. We had worked together in Taal. When I told him that this film has no story but only music, he was all for it. He has composed six songs that are a blend of Indian classical and folk music as well as western music. This is the first time I am working with Gulzar sahab after working with Anand Bakshi for 25 long years. I do miss Bakshisahab because I was so used to him and his sense of expressing various relationships in words was inimitable. But with Gulzarsahab, for the first time, I came across the values of poetry in film lyrics. Initially though I had a lot of problem understanding them as he would express love through nature. I would even get angry reading about chand, sitaare. It was very tough for me but when I started picturising them, I began to understand and value the words. I have justified every word in the picturisation in such a way that when he saw the songs, he was very happy and complimented me by writing, 'It is a class; Magnificient.' He even wrote to Rahman saying that 'It is amazing that Subhash could do such a good job with my lyrics'. What more can one ask for? *It is also the first time that you are working with Salman Khan? And Katrina as well?* Salman is like my younger brother. He has always been my favourite though we never worked together before. He respects and understands me and in return, I have written a very good character for him. He has performed brilliantly as well. I have always known that he has a lot of talent that has yet not been exploited and this is one of his best performances, believe me. Everyone will love him in Yuvvraaj. As for Katrina, she is a fast-growing talent. I was moved by her honesty when she said she wanted to work with me and I must say she has evolved as an actress in the 12 months since that first day of shooting in September 2007. She is a much better actress today. She plays a cello player in Yuvvraaj. *You are back with Anil Kapoor, another favourite of yours.* Anil plays a child-like simpleton. He is the son of a billionaire but is not interested in the money. His interest lies in music and is extremely talented. I have always loved to work with Anil as he is fun-loving and extremely talented. *Were you surprised to find Katrina Kaif's lookalike on your sets?* I had seen her and was impressed when I first saw Zarine Khan as she looks very much like Katrina, but it was Salman who has a great eye to select a talent as he has worked with some of the most beautiful girls. I spoke to her but that was it. And next thing I knew was that Salman was auditioning her for his next film and that she is his heroine in Veer. *Now that you are back to direction are there any more such plans?* I do have something up my sleeve. I shall declare it on December 1. Meanwhile there are also plans to produce more Marathi as well as Bengali films. *What are your expectations of Yuvvraaj?* Yuvvraaj is not for judging, it is to be enjoyed. Yuvvraaj has beautiful Katrina, handsome Salman, great actor Anil Kapoor, youngster Zayed Khan and above all, Subhash Ghai peeping out of a window (laughs). What more do you want? *Were you happy that your superhit Karz was remade?* I have not yet seen Karzzzz as I was busy with Yuvvraaj. What can I say? It was their prerogative to remake my film. Of course, I would have been happy if it would have run. *Finally in a nutshell, how would you term Yuvvraaj ?* Yuvvraaj is a non-pretentious film. It is a commercial masala entertainer with some great performances and excellent music. Yuvvraaj has everything and it is a film that everyone will love. Unlike my Ram Lakhan, today brothers have become more business partners than brothers. The emotional conflict in the family is whether we are heading for money or relationships. Yuvvraaj is all about three brothers and their emotional conflict. I would say Anil is the soul, Salman the heart, Zayed, mind and Katrina is the beauty of the film. http://www.screenindia.com/news/back-with-a-bang/387774/ -- regards, Vithur
