Young actors’ pool more committed to their work: Vishal Bharadwaj

Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj is full of praise for new-age actors of Indian film industry. He says it is a beautiful time to work in Bollywood as there is a pool of talented actors like Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Varun Dhawan and others who are committed to their work.

Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj is full of praise for new-age actors of Indian film industry. He says it is a beautiful time to work in Bollywood as there is a pool of talented actors like Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Varun Dhawan and others who are committed to their work.

Vishal Bhardwaj in Lucknow.(Subhankar Chakraborty/HT Photo)

Midsummer Night’s Dream next!

After the success of film trilogy based on Shakespeare’s plays: Maqbool (2003, Macbeth), Omkara (2006, Othello) and Haider (2014, Hamlet), Bhardwaj now has a plan to adapt Shakespeare’s other plays like Midsummer Night’s Dream. “But I’m still hunting for an exciting backdrop for the film,” he said.

Bhardwaj also wants to adapt works of Indian writers like Sharat Joshi and Prem Chand in days to come.

“These actors are hungry to perform and are giving their best to the industry. Unlike 5-10 years ago when actors use to work in several projects simultaneously, many of the modern age actors are doing one film at a time,” says Bhardwaj who started as music composer and then turned director-producer.

This director of Omkara and Haider was in Lucknow on Saturday to interact with students of University of Lucknow. He shared his old memories of the city when he used to come to his aunt’s place in Daliganj.

Delving more about one film at a time concept that is gaining ground among modern time actors, Bhardwaj said Aamir Khan was the first in the industry to bring this culture.

“His films stood out and earned kudos from cine buffs. The young actors are getting into the same mould which is very good on their part and also for the directors as actors are willing to spend lot of time on the set,” he said.

On the controversy surrounding Padmavaat, Bhardwaj said, “I believe that if Censor board has approved a film and the apex court finds nothing objectionable in the film, then it is the duty of the state to ensure law and order. Films are being made for entertainment.”

When asked what is more comfortable, composing music or directing films, Bhardwaj smiled and said, “Of course composing music is much easy. You sit with musician inside air-conditioned studio whereas when you direct a film you lead a troop of 300 people, from actors to spot boys, and keep them motivated. And then directors also had to face ire of Karni sena,” he said.