MAHESH MANJREKAR
On The Future

Mahesh Manjrekar's first claim to fame was the critically acclaimed Vaastav starring the dynamic Sanjay Dutt in a role that redefined his position in Bollywood. He followed the film up with a series of films like Nidaan that dealt with the stigma of AIDS and Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehata Hai which told the tale of a village simpleton's tryst with city life. Astitva, was a journey into the identity of a middle class housewife, and Kurukshetra, a battle against corruption.

Manjrekar's fascination for different subjects and styles of filmmaking became evident in every project he undertook. While earning himself the reputation of a versatile director, he also made the rounds in the industry as a man who could make the best of rare resources including time. Though most of his films have not fared as well at the box office as Vaastav did, the director has no time to fret.

In a short interview we talked to Mahesh about his films, his association with the deadly Dutt and his plans for the future.

You have been unable to recreate the success of Vaastav with any of your later films?
That on some level is untrue. It depends on how you measure success. To me, it means that I completed all my films with integrity and that I have tremendous faith in all the projects that I have directed so far. In that sense I think I have been more than successful in all my directorial endeavours.

Why do you always favour Sanjay Dutt?
I don't favour Sanju or any other actor. I work with Sanjay Dutt simply because we share a great working rapport. We understand each other extremely well. I also trust him implicitly as an actor. If there is something I want from him on screen, I know that he will deliver at any cost. Besides, he and I are good friends.

Are there plans for a sequel of Vaastav?
There are plans, but there is nothing concrete for me to talk about on the subject. I can only say that Part 2 of Vaastav while containing a few shades of the original, will for better part have a completely different story and identity.

Astitva created history of sorts what with it having been completed in 18 days.
To begin with, that was not an impossible feat to accomplish. All it takes is a certain amount of planning and a good sense of what you really want your film to look like. If you are thorough in your preparation, it doesn't need anything else. You are bound to complete a film in a short span of time, if you shoot from morning to night.

We have heard that there are plans to remake Astitva in English.
That is correct. But again it's too premature. It's a risk I'm willing to take. There are certain things in the script, which might be modified in keeping with the change of language, but I'm not changing the concept. I really want to go out there and create a good outlet for serious contemporary cinema. Besides, it'll be interesting to cater to an English-speaking audiences.

You are acting in Sanjay Gupta's Kaante.
Yes, I'm playing the role of a gangster in Kaante. The film is going to be shot in one long schedule. I'm really excited about it. As a director, its going to be a good chance for me to look at things from an actor's point of view. I'm sure I can use the opportunity to interact with other actors as an actor for a change.

Lastly, you name has always been linked with Namrata Shirodkar. Any comments?
What can I say? In the beginning these rumours used to infuriate me. I'd get really upset when I heard such nonsense being spoken about us all the time. But over the last couple of years, I've learnt to ignore it. That to me seemed like the best way to deal with it. I'm in a position where ten people are going to talk. I can't stop all the wagging tongues in the world.