Director says making historical films may raise hackles but he will continue to do so
Director says making historical films may raise hackles but he will continue to do so
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Director Ashutosh Gowariker said that as a creative person he would never compromise on any of his films, even if it meant facing the ire of certain sections of society. He said historical topics would always be objected to by people. The screening of his movie Jodha-Akbar was opposed by certain sections in Rajasthan. He said the opposition comes from a community, caste and sometimes even from the nation.
Tenacious: Ashutosh Gowariker at the PIFF. Pic/jignesh mistry
Would you make films on a subject like Shivaji, which created an uproar in the city? 
Protests and controversies are very much a part of all our historical films. I am very careful about the historical details. I am learning the hard way that when you are making a film about people who existed, there is bound to be different opinions. I make each film with proper and systematic research and also take some cinematic liberties as a director to a certain extent. I won the court case about Jodha-Akbar in Rajastan, but am not ready to release it in that state. I received a court notice after a petition was filed by the Rajput community urging me to desist from portraying Jodha wrongly in the film.
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Do you think by taking cinematic liberties you have glorified the main characters?
While making Jodha-Akbar we had information about Akbar but little abut Jodha, his Hindu wife. I was thrilled that Jodha as a wife had influenced Akbar in many things. Their love blossomed after the marriage. Akbar agrees to build a small temple in her room and used to celebrate Krishna Ashtami (birthday of Lord Krishna) every year. Being a successful ruler, I think there is always a woman behind a successful man and Akbar may have been no exception. The same logic I applied judiciously while making the film.u00a0
What inspires you to make such period films?
The 'excitement point' has become a driving force in the making of each of my films. I became very curious about Jodha's character, but information about her was not available in many historical archives. This led me to make a film on Jodha-Akbar in which I gave much emphasis to Jodha's character.
Why are so few historical films made in India?
After the 50s, 60s, and 70s, not many films based on history were made. The first film Raja Harishchandra made by Dadasaheb Phalke was based on historical mythology. That historical films attract people in large numbers has been proved in the past. Making of historical films stopped when there was a major change in our socio-economic level. People don't identity with historical films unless they don't 'feel' it.u00a0u00a0
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