I'm first a storyteller, says Mundhra of 'blue' past (Interview)

Comments [ 0 ] By IANS | 26 January 2008 | 7:00am

Mumbai, Jan 26 (IANS) He used to be known as a soft-porn maker. But after years of struggle against that reputation, Jagmohan Mundhra has acquired a more respectable image with films like 'Bawandar' and 'Provoked'.

But Mundhra told IANS in an interview: 'I consider myself first and foremost a storyteller...If the story has shades of blue, you can't tell it effectively by shying away from sex and nudity.'

He has now made 'Shoot On Sight', which tackles the sensitive issue of Islamic identity in the West.

'Shoot On Sight' goes into a very sensitive and topical area of our life - Islamic terrorism and the director hopes that it will start a healthy debate instead of creating controversy.

'The film's tagline is: Is it a crime to be a Muslim? That says it all. A majority of moderate Muslims are caught between Islamic extremism on one hand and Islamophobia of the West on the other.

'The film's protagonist speaks for this silent majority. Hopefully, the film will be controversial enough to spark a healthy debate and not a backlash.'

Excerpts:

Q: Have you finally left your 'blue' days behind?

A: I consider myself first and foremost a storyteller. Whatever story I have chosen to tell, I must tell it with conviction in a gripping and engaging manner. If the story has shades of blue, you can't tell it effectively by shying away from sex and nudity.

Q: Your new film 'Shoot On Sight' goes into a very sensitive and topical area of our life - Islamic terrorism. Do you expect a backlash?

A: The film's tagline is: Is it a crime to be a Muslim? That says it all. A majority of moderate Muslims are caught between Islamic extremism on one hand and the Islamophobia of the West on the other. The film's protagonist speaks for this silent majority. Hopefully, the film will be controversial enough to spark a healthy debate and not a backlash.

Q: Has it been a satisfying experience working with an actor of Naseeruddin Shah's calibre in 'Shoot On Sight'?

A: Oh, absolutely. He brought a lot of dignity to the character of Tariq Ali. I had no doubt that Naseer would interpret this character very well. I am glad he liked working with me too.

Q: What about the rest of the cast?

A: Everyone was cast appropriately. Greta Scacchi plays Naseer's wife. She plays a liberal, supportive and loving spouse but no doormat. She doesn't shy away from confronting her husband when she feels he is in the wrong. Brian Cox plays Naseer's manipulative boss with great elan . Om Puri's radical imam passionately inciting vulnerable youngsters to do jehad was totally convincing.

Gulshan Grover's butcher Yunus speaks for all working class Muslims in Britain who want to be left alone to make a living without being branded as terrorists because of their faith. Pakistani actor Mikaal Zulfiqar plays a young, educated youngster from Pakistan who is manipulated because of his anger against Western governments which in the name of spreading democratic ideals are committing the same atrocities they are accusing the terrorists of committing.

Q: What plans do you have for its release?

A: After the Dubai Film Festival premiere Dec 15 and unveiling of the film for buyers in Berlin during the European film market, we plan the release in Britain and India some time in March or April.

We'll release a dubbed Hindi version only if it gets us a satellite deal in India. Theatrically, it'll be released only in English and only in metros in multiplexes for a select audience.

Q: What do you think of Indian films like Mahesh Bhatt's 'Dhokha' that addresses the question of terrorism and Islam?

A: I think it is a problem faced by all civilised societies. Cinema as pop art must reflect this fear and anguish, the causes and consequences. I haven't seen 'Dhokha'.

Q: Why are you so enamoured of real-life subjects?

A: I like subjects which cause debate. I like conflicts which impact our daily life. I like drama that makes an emotional connection.

Copyright IANS

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