Point Taken | Editor's Pen

Well, I am the friend Ali referred to last edition in Editor’s pen.

To some extent I do agree with Ali that cinema needs support of icons to send across the message to masses. But there should be a line. Aamir’s patronage to Peepli Live brought that movie to centerstage. Every odd channel was showcasing the movie in prime-time slot because Aamir was presenting it. Some parties supported while few opposed it; just to hog some lime-light. Movie got hype and may get an Oscar. Great. Amazing. My Point: Do you remember the Director? Who played the role of Natha? Aah… everything got overshadowed by Aamir Khan. Why? Because he was right there in every odd frame while on publicity spree.

But yeah… atleast he is trying to bring people to fore.

The irony of cinema is that the better actors don’t have smart face. More labor more scars… For example, Om Puri is easily one of the best actor. He could have been superstar with a hard-hitting movie like Ardhasatya but did he? No. With a gruesome face he had at that time; it was impossible to attract ladies to theatre. Had the face being replaced by Salman Khan; the movie might have been right there at the top with Deewar and Sholay.

The bitter truth is that we are not able to accept new people. It’s safe to work with regulars, with Khan and Kapoor surnames or with faces on billboards. We make products; not cinema. If someone make a cinematic effort like Peepli Live; he needs to label it with Aamir Khan Productions to make it work as a product. But then that’s not quality…

I am not a big fan of Aamir Khan. But I sincerely respect his way of interpreting commercial cinema and ensuring that there is some good amount of cinema in his movie. Many of his contemporaries just make advertisements…

Ali had a question. Would I like my movie to be a blockbuster or a critically acclaimed flop that attains cult status with time? My answer: Anyday I would like to be in league of Shyam Benegal than in league of… well. I should stop. People may sue me.

Love…

Sujoy Ghosh