Sarkar is a family drama

What is ‘Sarkar’ all about?
Sarkar is a family drama. It is about a family set against the backdrop of power. It will be for the first time that you are making a family film. I have made the film with my perception. It is like ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ but minus – exotic locales, songs, lavish sets, make-up, costumes and other stuff. ‘Sarkar’ is based on The Godfather. The first time I read the book, I was tempted to make the film. But, there is a definite difference between ‘Sarkar’ and ‘The Godfather’.

What is the difference?
‘The Godfather’ was about a man who misused the loopholes of the law for his purpose while ‘Sarkar’ is about a man who does it openly and no one can quite do anything about it. He does what he feels is right.

Is it not another underworld film?
The film does not focus on the main protagonist’s work but dwells on him and his family. ‘Sarkar’ is not at all an underworld film.

But what about the audience who will enter the theatre with a mindset of watching another underworld film from RGV?
The audience can come with their own assumption but once the film starts, they will have a different view.

Is ‘Sarkar’ also full of violence?
Everyone has liking for action. Action does not essentially mean bloodshed.

Earlier, you were planning to make this film with big names. Comment.
I was thinking of making a multi-starrer film at a point of time but later I changed my plan.

Does RGV believe in changing his plans?
I do. I keep changing my mindset every moment.

Who is better in ‘Sarkar’ – Sr. or Jr. Bachchan?
Abhishek Bachchan has surprised me with his performance in this film. Mr. Bachchan, as we all know, is Mr. Bachchan.

After a long time your film is hot in the trade market. Comment.
Hot or cold in trade does not matter. What matters the most is – whether it will work or not? I made a film I believe in and now what is important is whether people like it or not.

Are you unconcerned about commercial success?
When everyone wants to make commercially successful films, why is it that 95% of films are flops?

What about the risk of constantly backing new names?
What is wrong with it? Last year, three successful films – ‘Vastu Shastra’, ‘Gayab’ and ‘Ab Tak Chhappan’ were made by new directors. In fact, my directorial venture, ‘Naach’ failed miserably. In which case, you may say it is a risk for me to direct a film.

Three successful directors of your company are no more a part of your company. What are the reasons you attribute to this?
It is completely their decision. I make films with people I want to and those I believe in. I give people chances when I see passion in them. I am the biggest proof that I never assisted anyone and started without any experience whatsoever.

People still know you as the maker of ‘Satya’. Comment.
I do not know. May be the film was very hard-hitting and it is still present in everybody’s memory. Though, ‘Daud’ was a flop, people still remember it. When, ‘Raat’ released, nobody liked it, but today when people watch it on TV or VCD, DVD, they tell me it was a good film. I always got my due credit and have made my own brand of cinema.

Do you agree that movie making is a risky business?
I do not think so. There is a huge market but the question is how you exploit it? How to go about it? You should know which audience to target.

Does that mean that term called – universal hit – does not exist in today’s time?
In a bookstall there are all kinds of books but every individual has his own choice. It is a question of matching sensibility of cinema with that of the audience.

Why is it that you always make films as a joint venture?
It all depends. Joint ventures are always beneficial for both the parties in terms of creativity and economics.

There are rumors that your company is parting ways with K. Sera Sera. C