Films on socio-political issues making a comeback: Kashyap
His forthcoming film Mukkabaaz deals with the deep-rooted casteism which stands tall on the shoulders of corruption even today and director Anurag Kashyap says it was about time movies based on sociopolitical issues made a comeback in Bollywood.
“We grew up in a time [in 1960s] when filmmakers like Bimal Roy, Hrishikesh Mukherji, Raj Kapoor made films that dealt with elements in society about casteism, widows, unwed mothers etc. These films were appreciated by the audience but then we stopped making them, but again that trend has come back (in films). Our film is about boxing, so we have to be honest to our story, it is about where do boxers come from, what is the status of boxing in society and the like,” says Kashyap.
The 45-year-old’s film traces the story of a boxer from UP, named Shravan Singh, played by Vineet Kumar Singh, who belongs to a low caste and falls in love with a Brahmin woman. Things go south when he lands a punch on boxing federation head and politician gangster, Bhagwan Das, part essayed by Jimmy Shergill.
Producer of the film, Aanand L Rai questions the parameters of development in today’s scenario.
“Tomorrow, if a filmmaker wants to make a story like Prem Rog which was about child widow, will I be allowed to say (the story) now or will I be stopped? Similarly will I be allowed to keep the name of the character Ganga with a film like Ram Teri Ganga Maili? ...understand where are we going? Are we progressing? Is it progressive space for us or is it taking us backwards? It is not about makers or audience or media, we as country what is happening to us... Are we together to bring the change or are we accepting that?” he asks.
The upcoming sports drama film received a standing ovation at MAMI Film Festival.
We grew up in a time when filmmakers like Bimal Roy, Hrishikesh Mukherji, Raj Kapoor made films that dealt with elements in society about casteism, widows, unwed mothers etc... That trend has come back [in films]
ANURAG KASHYAP, FILMMAKER