One Vidya Balan can’t take my dream away, Aami on course: Kamaluddin Mohammed - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

One Vidya Balan can’t take my dream away, Aami on course: Kamaluddin Mohammed

Hindustan Times | BySubhash K Jha, New Delhi
Jan 13, 2017 01:00 PM IST

Malayalam filmmaker Kamaluddin Mohammed, better known as Kamal, who is being accused by right-wing parties of anti-nationalism, opens up in an interview about the incident and Vidya Balan, who walked out of his latest project.

Kamaluddin Mohammed, better known as Kamal, who’s behind the Malayalam masterpieces like Celluloid, Gramohophone and Aggathan, is under siege. The filmmaker, who’s being accused by right-wing parties of anti-nationalism for protesting the forced entry of policemen in a cinema hall during a national anthem, opens up in a candid interview.

Kamaluddin Mohammed, better known as Kamal, has made Malayalam masterpieces like Celluloid, Gramohophone and Aggathan.(Kamal)
Kamaluddin Mohammed, better known as Kamal, has made Malayalam masterpieces like Celluloid, Gramohophone and Aggathan.(Kamal)

From a National award-winning filmmaker to an anti-national, this happens only in India, don’t you agree?

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

I still don’t know what happened. I thought India belongs to all Indians. I was born and brought up in India. I am as Indian as anyone else. I don’t see myself as a Hindu or Muslim.

You had to be hospitalised?

Yes, but it had nothing to do with the controversy. I needed to get myself looked at.

Have you been provided security from the people who are threatening you?

Now, I am in my hometown Kodungallur which is on the outskirts of Kochi. Everything is peaceful here. No sign of any aggression . Actually this is a Communist-dominated area.And although the (Bharatiya Janta Party) BJP has clout in these parts too, I am safe.So here, I am only hearing about all the things that I am supposed to have done and all the things that people want to do to me.

So you make you films from this little town?

Yes, I prefer to stay here because all my relatives and friends stay here. I feel comfortable and secure. My hometown is communist and secular. That’s why I grew up feeling neither Muslim nor Hindu.

Vidya Balan’s last few films haven’t done well. (Prodip Guha/HT PHOTO)
Vidya Balan’s last few films haven’t done well. (Prodip Guha/HT PHOTO)

What’s your reaction to being called anti-national?

I don’t even know what happened. I am the chairperson of the Kerala State Film Academy. The national anthem is played before every film here. I never protested against that, and why would I? I only protested against the police forcibly entering a cinema house to arrest people during the anthem. That was not right.

How does this make you anti-national?

I don’t know. Maybe those who accusing me can explain.It could be my communist leanings. During the last elections, I campaigned for some communist candidates. I am a communist. That’s my political ideology. But that doesn’t make me anti-national. They’ve be targeting individuals from the arts. I am sure you’ve heard of the way the veteran littérateur MT Vasudevan was targeted.

To add to your troubles, Vidya Balan has backed out of your Kamla Das biopic Aami...

Yes .The timing is unfortunate, though I’d like to believe that the right-wing pressure had nothing to do with it. She liked the script, but backed out suddenly. It came as a complete surprise when she walked out just a week before the shooting was to start, and it just doesn’t suit such a great actor to behave like this.

But I am not stressing over her departure. I am going to make the film with another fine artist. I have distinguished names like Gulzar and Resul Pookutty associated with the project. This is my dream project and I’ve been planning it for four years. One Vidya can’t take my dream away.

Do you think this incident scared her off?

I don’t think so. I think Kamla Das proved too controversial for Vidya. As you know, Kamla Das had converted to Islam. I think Vidya was scared to portray her. Plus, maybe she was under pressure because her recent Hindi films have failed. But I wish her well.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

Oscars 2024: From Nominees to Red Carpet Glam! Get Exclusive Coverage on HT. Click Here

Get more updates from Bollywood, Hollywood, Music and Web Series along with Latest Entertainment News at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On