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But much more needs to be done in Bihar, says filmmaker Prakash Jha
Filmmaker Prakash Jha may have derided the 'corrupt' Bihari neta in his hard-hitting potboilers but is now aspiring to become one, though he claims voters call him 'bhaiji'. A Ram Vilas Paswan-led LJP candidate from Betiah, Bihar, the maker of movies like Mrityudand, Damul and Gangaajal says Paswan was 'very inviting' when he needed the 'backing of a political party'. He also said that being a part of the system won't compromise his films. He spoke to MiD DAY over phone while on the campaign trail in Betiah.
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Celluloid dreams unlimited: Prakash Jha | From making films on Bihar's political situation to being a part of the system you have criticised in your films, what inspired this leap of faith?
Bihar is my homeland and I have always wanted to see it progress. Even my films are an extension of this passion. I have returned to Bihar from time-to-time to do my bit for the people. But I realised that I needed access to resources to fulfill the dream that I have for Bihar. And only a politically elected people's representative can use those resources.
Won't netagiri affect your filmmaking? Will you be able to be as unbiased about the system once you are a part of it? Will your films be as hard-hitting about the politician-criminal nexus?
There is nothing that can compromise my cinema. In fact, my next film Rajneeti is about democracy or loktantra and the downfall of a government and the election of a new regime.
The plot seems too uncannily close to your present situation.
It's an interesting coincidence. But that's it. The movie is a cumulative creative expression of many years of experience. It didn't happen in a day. And it isn't based on any particular political party or leader.
Actors have been associated with politics. But this is the first time that a film director has jumped into the fray.
Yes, I am the first film director who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections and as you must have guessed, I am not here for glamour. Actors, both in South India and in north are roped in by political parties to gather crowd during rallies. Actor-turned-politicians have no commitment to either their party or people. I don't have any such intentions. I am here to work. I am not even going to any other state to canvass for the party.
Prakash Jha the filmmaker derided the neta. Now, he himself aspires to be one.
I am not a neta and not even if I win the election will I be one. Here, people call me bhaiji not netaji.
Outside Bihar, the corrupt Bihari neta is associated with Lalu Yadav. But you are now in a political equation with Lalu.
Lalu alone can't be blamed for Bihar's downfall. The state has been neglected since Independence. Lalu has done whatever he could under the given circumstances.
If you are elected, won't your political commitments keep you away from Bollywood?
No. I have already planned my films for the next 15 years. I make only one movie in five years. I am working on five to six scripts and they will keep me busy for the next decade or so. My production company is also running successfully, so the pressure on me is nominal.
I can continue to do both films and serve my constituency. I have a home here, own four companies in Bihar that have been running for sometime now.
Your decision to join Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) came as a surprise. You were considered close to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
There was never any indication that I would join Nitish Kumar and his Janata Dal (United) JD(U). I share a cordial personal relationship with him but we have never shared a common political platform.
A month ago you had said Nitish denied you a ticket.
This is utter nonsense. The JD(U) does not have a seat in West Champaran, my constituency, so why will I approach Nitish for a ticket? This is just a rumour.
Were you not campaigning for Nitish Kumar in his constituency Nalanda just a few months ago?
Yes, I was. But that was just a friendly gesture. I was doing a friend a favour. There were no political aspirations and no common agenda.
You share a political agenda with Ram Vilas Paswan?
His agenda is the betterment of the poor and so is mine.
Isn't that the motto of every political party?
May be it is. But Paswanji has been extremely good to me and very inviting. I have worked extensively for social development both in Bihar and outside it. During this course I realised that to contest parliamentary elections, you need the backing of a political party. It's difficult to make an impact as an Independent candidate. Voters tend to relate a leader to a party and the ruling force at the state and Centre. The backing of a party is a must.
And Paswan was inviting...
I am not insinuating anything and nobody should... (slightly irritated). I respect Paswanji and am grateful that he gave me the chance to serve my people. Once I decided to contest the Lok Sabha elections, joining LJP was a natural choice.
You did ask people to support Nitish and his government once. However, today, you say that his government has achieved nothing in Bihar.
What has his government given the state in the last three-and-a-half-years? Not a penny has been invested in industrialisation of the state. Several projects have been declared but there has been no change at the ground level. Infrastructure remains poor and only superficial changes are being done.
No medical college or engineering college of repute has been set up. Even the Nalanda University project that the chief minister had announced with much fanfare is yet to materialise.
Bihar needs gigantic infrastructural development which can't be achieved through a non-productive government. Vikaas (development) can't be achieved by distributing money among the lower castes the way the chief minister is doing.
Will you disagree that the law and order situation in the state has improved in the last three years? Youngsters who had left the state are planning to return.
The law and order situation may have improved, the dehshat of criminals may have been controlled but much more needs to be done.
Youngsters may be planning to return but haven't done so yet. Bihar still doesn't offer them any hope. What will they do here? Not a single industry from Bihar is listed on the stock exchange, none of their chips are traded. Bihar is absolutely disconnected with the market. A reason why the recession hasn't impacted the state at all (laughs).
What's your formula for success?
Only wealth generation can develop a society. All means of wealth generation have dried up in Bihar. In my constituency Betiah, I am trying to create jobs. I have set up a sugar factory and have developed a farm to supply high-quality seeds to farmers.
With some volunteers I have been able to turn around the condition of the district hospitals in Betiah. From hell holes, these hospitals have now become successful healthcare centres, attracting 600 to 700 patients everyday.
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