Interview: Govind Nihalani

Article Updated 09 June, 2004 03:45:05 AM IST

Interview: Govind Nihalani

Govind Nihalani is a name that one always associates with parallel cinema. Starting his career as a cinematographer, he won accolades for many films including Richard Attenborough's 'Gandhi' and Junoon', for which he even bagged the National Award for cinematography in 1979. Besides having cinematographed and directed films like 'Aakrosh', 'Party', 'Drohkaal', 'Drighti', 'Aghaat', 'Hazaar Azaar Chaurasi Ki Maa' and 'Thakshak', Govind Nihalani has to his credit one of the most hard-hitting films of all times - 'Ardh Satya' - and the famous serial 'Tamas'. The fact that he has not been successful in commercial cinema, didn't deter him from making his forthcoming venture 'Dev', which has all the ingredients of a typical Hindi potboiler, including its cast, comprising of biggies like Amitabh Bachchan, Om Puri, Fardeen Khan and Kareena Kapoor. The film is due for release next week and at this juncture, Govind speaks out...

'Dev' is on the verge of release. What are your feelings?
It doesn't matter how many films you have made in the past. Whether it's your first or tenth film, the feeling is the same. But after looking at the changing scenario, one realizes that today the game has changed. With the coming of multiplexes and the changing pattern of audience viewing and weekend collections, you never know the fate of your film. However, one thing is sure that at this moment there are butterflies in my stomach.

Through its promos, the film appears to be another one in the league of police-based subjects. How much variation have you made in your film?
I have this fact very much in my mind. Here I would like to say that the promos of my film give the honest picture. Though it is based on the lines of police, it's not a 'hulla-gulla' film. It has certain amount of violence and action but it is not an action film. The film deals with the conflict of politics in contemporary times. It is a film with serious content, intense drama, powerful acting, good story and music. The film engages your mind as well as heart as it has a good balance of emotion, action and plot. I am sure people will be totally engrossed in the film.

What's the USP of your film?
The USP of my film is the story itself, performances, its realistic treatment, the human and political drama in it and above all the music, which enhances the emotional intensity of scenes.

Your very famous film 'Ardh Satya' too was based on the lines of Police. Is there any resemblance between the two films?
I don't know about the resemblance, but 'Dev' in a way is a sequel to 'Ardh Satya' in its spirit. While 'Ardh Satya' dealt with contemporary politics of that time, 'Dev' deals with politics of today.

Your name has always been associated with parallel cinema. Does 'Dev' fall in this category?
I don't know about these levels or categories. 'Dev' is a typical commercial film. Within the mainstream, it's a film with substance, having no trivial story.

Did you have to make any compromises in its making?
I really didn't have to make any compromises. I had the producers with whom I shared the relationship of mutual faith. They didn't have any problem as everything was clear right from the beginning. Ditto with the artistes. So there was no need for compromises.

What made you go in for this star cast?
Why shouldn't I go for the best in the industry? I select the cast of my film only after looking at the fact whether they suit the role or will they be able to give the performance I need. And I think they all fitted the bill.

Were you overwhelmed by the presence of Amitabh Bachchan?
I thought I would be. He has the tendency of making everybody at ease. We had the relationship of an actor and the director. There were no ego hassles and no disagreement of any kind. He is a perfect actor.

It seems you can't think of a film without Om Puri...?
Om Puri is an old friend of mine. Except one film, he has been in every other film of mine. With each year, he is becoming a finer actor, like the beautiful old wine. Working with him in this film was just like a reunion kind of thing.

What do you have to say about Fardeen and Kareena?
Fardeen's understanding of the character was excellent. He has vulnerability, sensitivity and intelligence. He just came across as real. Similarly, Kareena is an excellent actress. She has never looked as real. Both of them worked without fear as they were not worried about the deglamourized roles. The chemistry between them was superb. If your artistes are willing to do something different, half the battle is won.

Since you are a well-endowed craftsman too, how much does it affect your story-telling technique?
My being a technician helps me immensely. I have been the director and cinematographer of every film of mine. Being a cameraman helps me a lot during the detailing of the scenes. I can visualize things clearly. I look at my set as a technician and all these things affect the story telling. And above all, it saves a lot of time too.

Do you miss your old favourites like Naseeruddin Shah and Smita Patil?
Yes, one does miss those actors. Today you don't get the same energy, enthusiasm or talent. But still, every generation throws in its own actors. Earlier, you had theatre actors, but these days there are actors coming from acting schools. You can't compare veterans to today's actors. It will be totally unfair to compare.

At the end of the day, what expectations do you have from 'Dev'?
I expect 'Dev' to engage my audience in a major way. The film should become part of audience's subconciousness. It should go back with them when they leave the theatres. I hope it opens up the possibilities for me to continue making the kind of films I believe in. And in the end, it should recover its cost so that my relationship with the producers will remain as it is.

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