Ashutosh on movies, life and philosophy

Very few filmmakers have the wherewithal to make entertaining movies and connect with the youth in a positive way. Ashutosh is a rarity, and he is able to simplify his message within the constraints of hindi movie format, and at the same time not come across as condescending. He is also very well spoken. Here's a snippet from an interview series with Rediff:

Q. There is no cynicism and an idealism you project very sensitively in Swades.

A. I am not cynical because I like to look at the positive, brighter aspects and move on. Even in Lagaan (image above), I touched upon it very lightly. We are playing cricket and don't have a 11th player, and Kachra comes in. So we touched upon the most glaring issue in the 1890s -- untouchability. You will be surprised that be it 1893 or 2005, the problem exists in a huge way. In fact, now it has taken violent forms.

If you don't find the film cynical is the reason I have created a village which is very Chandamama (the children's magazine of the 1960s and 1970s), Malgudi Days. In reality if an NRI comes into a village and starts asking questions about how the village structure is, the first thing you get is a lathi on your head.

Check out rest of this enlightening multi-part interview series on Rediff:

1. We don't look back in anger any more
2. Aamir Khan pulled me out of the rut
3. Shahrukh Khan is so obedient as an actor
4. Everything Gandhiji stood for can be made into a film