JAYA BACHCHAN

The return of Jaya Bachchan to acting via Govind Nihalani’s Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa is a good omen. Viewers can now hope to see some real good performances in the near future. But there is a tinge of doubt, too as this great actress is extra choosy as far as her roles go.

During the recent Mumbai film festival, her comeback film was in the news. But media's focus was on the Naxalite movement which raised its head as the ’sixties and ended in the formative years of the ’seventies which figures in the film. In the process, the protagonist of the film, Sujata (played by Jaya Bachchan), got a bit sidelined.

About which Jaya explains, “The problems of a middle class family never make headlines. But the Naxalite movement does. So the sensation was in the Naxalite movement depicted in the film. Not in Sujata. Hence that movement was highlighted. Not Sujata. All this is the need of modern times. What does one do?”

Like the mother who understands the pain of her son, she also understands the pain of the character she has played. “The biggest sorrow of Sujata was that she could not understand her son Brati. Yes, she does sense a change coming over her son. But she feels that it is because he has grown up. She just immerses herself in the laughter of her son. But she is unable to figure out the pain behind his laughter... She is unable to understand that her son wants to revolt. She is unable to understand the hardships and frustrations of her son. The whole film is a journey to understand Brati.”

In real life too, she says, she feels the generation gap.

“We parents are wary of putting any kind of pressure on our sons, because already they are under tremendous pressure. Today’s generation believes in getting everything overnight. It doesn’t believe in patience and perseverance. The post-independence generation received everything on a platter. And this is a problem which every country faced. After a war or movement, the evolution process sets in. But I don’t find anything wrong in it. Whatever physical, mental and intellectual change had surfaced in Brati, Sjuata failed to understand that. She begins to like the people who are close to him. And about those whom Brati detests, Sujata wants to know why her son hates them.”

Jaya on the present film scenario and
the taste of the viewers:
“I fail to understand what kind of films are liked by audiences now! After every six months, their tastes change. Even clean, entertaining films are not doing well! We produced Saat Rang Ke Sapne. But even this film did not do well. May be it did not have Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan or Aamir Khan. If any of these actors would have been there, may be it would have done well! Sometimes it is said that stars run the show. Sometimes it is said that if the story is good, only then a film does well.”

On Jr Bachchan, Abhishek:
How true is the news of Abhishek’s first film with Manoj Desai?
“I don’t know how this news got published. At least the journalist who carried this news to the editor could have confirmed it with us. I say this because my father was a journalist. I can understand the eagerness and haste of a journalist. But I believe that a journalist must exercise some amount of restraint and have some responsibility towards what he is writing.”

And how true is the news that Abhishek was supposed to start his career with a Shekhar Kapur film?

“Yes, talks were on with Shekhar. We wanted Shekhar to direct Abhishek in his debut film. Because Shekhar is a very good director. But Shekhar was very busy with his Hollywood venture. At that time neither Shekhar was sure about how long it would take for him to start the project nor was Abhishek clear in his mind about his entry into films. Then, one day, JP Dutta approached us. And within fifteen days everything was finalised! It is not at all true that we were having long discussions with JP for months. In fact, initially JP had dropped the idea of making his film. He felt that it was a very difficult project. He felt that the project was beyond his means. Then, one day, he saw Abhishek somewhere and immediately decided that he would make this film with Abhishek and would delay his project Jhelum on which he was supposed to work after Border. When he saw Abhishek he said: ‘I have got my Mirza Mughal.’

“Amitji, Abhishek and I had decided that Abhishek should not limit himself to commercial films. Because today’s cinema situation is different. We did wish that he should work in a commercial film, but, at the same time, it should have something unique about it.”

“Abhishek is a very lucky boy. In his very first film he is getting a chance to work with a legend like Dilip Kumar. I really craved to work with him, but never got the opportunity. That is why I tell him again and again... work hard... after all you have to work with a great actor like Dilip Kumar. In the past, we had a number of offers from other producers too. But when Abhishek himself had not shown any inclination towards acting, how could we say that he was interested in films. When he finally made up his mind only then did he sign JP’s film.”

On the film production department of ABCL which she heads:
“We are trying to make quality films which are good in every aspect. They should not be routine films. At the moment three films from ABCL are ready for release. The Karisma Kapoor-Saif Ali Khan starrer Laveria, which is directed by Kundan Shah, Naam Kya Hai with Mukul Dev, directed by Sachin and Major Saab directed by Tinnu Anand. When we will release these films, I don’t know. ABCL is firm on its decision to make one film every year with Amitji. Now Amitji will be working in Dariya directed by Priyadarshan. But it will take a while for the project to take off. Priyan is very busy at the moment. And we don’t want to make a film in a hurry. But this news is totally false that ABCL is launching five films simultaneously.”

“It was for the first time when investors invested money in film production. Though film-makers like Yash Chopra were doing it since a long time, it was ABCL which started it on a big scale. We received support from every quarter. I am sure sooner or later ABCL will be able to make a mark. We know that. Initially it will not be smooth sailing. Many other concerns too started at the same time when ABCL did. But the focus was only on ABCL. There was a lot of mud slinging too. But we are not disheartened. In fact in such times I remember the song from Laawaris, Jo hai naamwaala wohi to badnaam hai!”

On the rough weather ABCL faced:
“I feel we faced some problems because we did not have experience and know how. Because the people who were working with us were unaccustomed to the way the film industry functions. Though they did their level best. Now the situation is under control. Yes, it is true, we did face financial problems. But tell me, barring Rajshri Productions and Yash Raj Films, who is not facing problems? They are experienced makers. Initially everybody has to incur losses. Yashji is into film production since a long time. Some of his films flopped too. We are answerable to our investors which other producers are not.

“ABCL does intend to make a film with Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek. A suitable script is also with us. But to say anything about it will be premature.”