“Kisna is an outcome of the drive to make something different” - Subhash Ghai 
By IndiaFM News Bureau, January 19, 2005 - 08:02 IST
With only a day left for his dream project Kisna's release, Subhash Ghai is in a contemplative mood. Will the champagnes be popping after the release or not that only time can tell, but if they do we believe that would be the best gift for our Showman on his birthday. Restless though, he settles down for a chat on Kisna - its inspiration and future...
After Yaadein you were to make Motherland, what happened to that?
After Yaadein, I had a choice of scripts with me - a comedy, Motherland and Kisna. Before the film could go on floors there were several other films on similar lines. Also Motherland was an ambitious project with Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, Shahrukh, Abhishek and Akshaye Khanna. And assembling such a starcast takes time.
With fresh female leads you could have opted for a new boy too…
Besides writing, directing and producing the film I was also grooming two girls. So my team advised me to take a professional actor for the male lead. I initially had Hrithik, Abhishek and Vivek in mind, but then the character is a boy from the mountains and a servant's son - that amongst the three of my options Vivek looked like. He fits the bill and has pulled off the role of my warrior poet very well.
There must have been some inspiration for Kisna…
Yes, the drive to make something totally different from what I have already made and also a story that I heard from a young British boy. His grandfather had been a deputy collector during British Raj and he has fond memories of his Indian Staff and colleagues. That set me thinking that even though have grown up hating British there was a time when they mingled with our people. And on these lines Kisna was born.
In a short time Kisna's music has caught up in a big way?
Yes, compliments are coming from music companies, composers and singers. I was lucky to have two great composers working for the film; they have amazing knowledge about Indian and Western Classical music.
Recently you have taken a back seat in direction. After Mukta Arts went public you have turned to directors like Abbas- Mustan, David Dhawan and late Mr. Anant Balani…
Yes, no two directors can make a similar film and a company should churn out different types of movies. As a producer I just need to approve the scripts and cast and leave the rest on my directors.
What's happening with your academic institution, Whistling Woods?
We have been working on it for the past three to four years. The building is almost complete in Film City and we should be ready by July. It will be an autonomous body and I will only be promoting it. Education is not my business, making films is.
What are you planning after Kisna?
That is something too big to reveal right now. You will have to wait and watch.
Where do you see Mukta Arts in the future?
In 2005, we have four films going on floor, by Abbas-Mastan, Satish Kaushik, Nagesh Kukunoor and my film. I want to see Mukta Arts living on after me and it will.
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