“We Need To Re-think What Stories We Want to Tell, For Whom And How”
Hansal Mehta, the director of the much-acclaimed film ‘Shahid’ (2013) starring Rajkummar Rao as well as the super-successful web series ‘Scam 1992 – The Harshad Mehta Story’ talks to BW Businessworld’s Jyotsna Sharma about storytelling in cinema, the movie business and success, among other things.
Excerpts
What is your definition of success?
Success for me is creating something that lasts beyond temporary material gains. It is about creating a legacy rather than creating wealth.
How has the movie business changed over the last five years?
The last three years saw a huge disruption. We are now at that point where we need to re-think and re-strategize on what stories we will tell, how we will tell them, and where those stories will be seen. The audience now is more diverse, story tellers need to ensure that the stories reach their audience through their chosen platform (theatrical, OTT, television etc.)
Are multiplexes a thing of the past and is OTT the future?
The theatrical business will never die, it will always be there. We have been through multiple phases in this business. For instance, I have lived through the time when VHS came in, this was a time when films were not working and we though theatres are dead, and everyone will watch films at home. The industry went through a crisis in 2000 but, it bounced back – this is a resilient and a robust industry. So, I believe the wonder of the big screen will never go away but we need to know which stories we will tell on the big screen.
How has the audience changed over the years?
The audience is evolving. We have wider and a more diverse audience now. There is a story for everyone and we have to find those stories.
What are some of the most unique aspects of Indian cinema?
We come from a rich tradition of storytelling. And, this is apparent in the films of Satyajit Ray, Bimal Roy, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Manmohan Desai to name a few. They recognised what it meant to make cinema for Indian audiences. We need to adapt that kind of storytelling, and communication for our audiences while making films and telling new stories. Through all this, we should hold on to our ‘Indian-ness’ and our culture.
Who is you all-time favourite actor?
Well, it would be Balraj Sahni. He was one of finest actors we have had. At a time when there was a lot of stylised and over the top acting, Balraj Sahni was very refined in the way he interpreted his characters. He was an actor among stars!
