After highlighting issues like bondage labour and kidnappings in Bihar with Damul and Apaharan, Prakash Jha returns to the big screen with Raajneeti but the director says his upcoming film is not a judgemental take on Indian politics.
Jha's words sound like a disclaimer before the opening of a film when he says that Raajneeti "does not resemble any Indian politician, political party or incident past or present".
Understandably so, with a clutch of top Bollywood stars, four years of hard work and a huge budget, the filmmaker does not want to invite any trouble to his "epic story" and wants the audience to judge it for themselves.
"I have not tried to show something extraordinary. I am not trying to be judgemental about Indian politics with Raajneeti. What I have tried to show is the conflict that emerges when we decide to forgo everything for power. I tried to tell the story of such families," the 58-year-old director told PTI.
"We can't sit and pass judgement on the politics of our country. It is the largest democracy in the world and growing everyday. However, we are free to interpret certain things in it. This is why I wanted to tell this story," Jha said.
{{/usCountry}}"We can't sit and pass judgement on the politics of our country. It is the largest democracy in the world and growing everyday. However, we are free to interpret certain things in it. This is why I wanted to tell this story," Jha said.
{{/usCountry}}Starring Ajay Devgn, Nana Patekar, Arjun Rampal, Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor, the film hits theatres this June. The film is a modern take on Indian epic the Mahabharata.
"Every story is challenging for me. It is not easy to interpret a story and present it on the screen. And the 'Mahabharata' is so deep that you can easily find references for your story. In this film you will find that characters are similar to the Mahabharata and how they behave in present context is the story," said Jha.
Katrina dons the role of a young politician in the movie and it is being speculated that her character is inspired by none other than Congress President Sonia Gandhi, but Jha denies it.
"Soniaji's life story is very inspiring. But how can I make a film on her life without even talking to her. People are trying to find similarities because like Soniaji, Katrina also comes from England but her character is completely different and is not inspired by any real life person," he said.