INTERVIEW

You have lately become known for the horror genre in Indian films. How do you view this tag? A. It is the age of branding. No matter what you do you will win yourself a tag. If you kiss you will be a serial kisser and if you don’t you will be Mr Antiseptic. It is like the dialogue from the film, “I don’t know who you are but I will find you and I will slot you!” Though personally, it does not matter to me. It is better to have a brand than no brand at all. Q. What attracts you to horror films in general? A. I am a fear seller. I like selling fear. Fear is the most and the purest emotion that man has felt since the dark ages. I get this asked very often, and I wonder why people keep asking me this. We are all emotion sellers here. Some directors sell laughter, some sell tears, others sell love, and I sell fear. I feel fear, and so I can sell it. I think what attracts me to horror has to do with the fear that I can feel. You can only tell stories that you feel. Q. Why is the quality of horror films made in Bollywood not the same as those made in the West? A. Who says it is not? Just because we are a different art form? Why is the quality of love stories or comedies or sci-fi or action not the same? Come on! Let’s not kid ourselves. We love our films with music and emotions. Q. Your recent film, 1921. How was it different from your other movies? A. It has already released now. It has done well. Mission accomplished. It was different in many ways. A great love story, no religious overtones, real fear and palpable! Q. How was your experience shooting this movie?