Zubeidaa is Farouq Rattonsey’s third film in 20 years. For a film producer he is not the hardcore mercenary sort who is interested only in the returns. Good work, he believes, pays rich dividends. And in the Shyam
Benegal-directed Zubeidaa, he is sure he has a winner on his hands...

What is it about Zubeidaa that made you decide to return to film production after a gap of over ten years?
I had not made a film in the last 13 years after the Jackie Shroff-Dimple Kapadia starrer, Kaash. In fact, in 20 years, this is only my third film, the other one being the Amitabh Bachchan-Parveen Babi-starrer Khuddar. I was disappointed that Kaash didn’t do well and I just gave up making films. But Khalid Mohammed sent me two subjects to read, Fiza and Zubeidaa. I liked Zubeidaa better because it was a love story. It appealed to me more as it was a period film and there is so much of nostalgia in period films. So I decided to go ahead and make it.

Shyam Benegal had already worked on the script and knew it well. I thought he was the best person to direct Zubeidaa. We met and discussed the film. The casting followed next. Khalid suggested Karisma Kapoor and the rest of the cast.

Has Zubeidaa turned out the way you wanted it to?
Absolutely! Benegal’s done a great job. It is like a Mills & Boon story, or rather like a fairy tale. You know the beginning and the end, but you don’t know where the story is taking you. There is so much nostalgia, so much authenticity, A lot of care has been devoted on the minutest details such as costumes and hair-style.

How was it like working with Shyam Benegal?
Very good. Unfortunately, I frequently find myself having to defend Benegal. I have often been questioned about his ability to direct a film that will appeal to the universal market. I shan’t call it the commercial market because I don’t understand it myself. Even the so-called commercial directors don’t deserve the tag. Their track record hardly justifies it. Last year, for instance, we had just two super-hits, Kaho Naa... Pyar Hai and Mohabbatein, and a couple more that just about managed to break even. And last year was not an exception. It’s a trend that’s been repeated for quite some time.

Benegal’s ability to direct a film is well-known. 25 years ago when his Junoon was released, Time magazine in its review, compared the director to Francis Capola who made the classic Godfather. It’s not as if he cannot make the kind of films that are being made today. In Zubeidaa for the first time, he has actors and a music director who’re popular, and a story with a universal feel to it. So there is no reason why it should not do well. He is a man who knows his craft, an institution in himself. His work and talent do not need my endorsement.

What do you have to say about the starcast?
I have nothing to complain about. Karisma Kapoor, Rekha, Manoj Bajpai, Amrish Puri and Surekha Sikri have all done well. I feel proud to call Zubeidaa my film. It’s a heroine-oriented film and everybody knew Karisma was playing the title role, a role bigger than the rest. Yet Manoj took up the challenge and did the role of the Maharaja. Rekha, of course, was the right choice for his first wife. Everyone has performed very well.

Are you happy with AR Rahman’s score?
What can I say about it? Doesn’t it speak for itself? It’s already in the market on top of the charts. For the first time, Benegal has a young man composing his tunes.

Benegal, I’m sure, is going to be the film’s real surprise package. I dare say he’s going to lose the tag of being an art-house director after this film.

What was the reason behind your 13-year absence from the scene?
Like I said, I had no intention of making another film after Kaash. I don’t have the mental makeup to work in an environment of total chaos. I agreed to make Zubeidaa because Shyam Benegal is a very organised man and an excellent team person. Producing films, after all, isn’t the only thing I do.

Your first film was Khuddar. What made you decide to get into film production?
It happened by accident. A friend of mine, Anwar Ali was making Khuddar with Amitabh Bachchan and Parveen Babi. When he approached me for help. I decided to make it for him. You sit there watching something beautiful being created in front of you and at the end of the day, it gives you great satisfaction. Being in the limelight has never has been my motivation. I produce films because it gives me creative satisfaction.

Have you ever thought of getting into direction?
Never. I have neither the patience nor the inclination for it. The reason why most films are not doing well today is because they lack content. You can’t hope to lure in the crowds just with razzle-dazzle and item songs.

What do you have to say about the state of the industry?
It is bad, alright. But I’m confident it will pass. The industry has survived all sorts of problems earlier, this is just another hiccup. Ours is the only entertainment industry in the country so I guess no major harm will come to it.

Coming back to Zubeidaa, how long did it take you to complete the film?
The film was ready in two schedules and 15 days of shooting.

Will it appeal to today’s audience?
If a film is narrated and treated well, it should go down well with the audience. The project is absorbing and engrossing, it holds your interest throughout.

Are you nervous?
Terribly so. I want the film to do well and there’s no way I can predict its fate.

After Zubeidaa what?
If Zubeidaa does well, I may just make another film. If it doesn’t, I may even join you as an assistant. (Laughs).

Namita Nivas>>>

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