“I have no hesitation about telling you a story with stars”- Amol Palekar 
By IndiaFM News Bureau, June 22, 2005 - 00:24 IST
He serves the best food for thought in the film industry. Having made immensely thought provoking movies like Kairee, Dayraa and Anahat, Amol Palekar needs no introduction. Widely appreciated for his sensitive filmmaking, Amol is a regular at various film festivals across the globe. With Paheli he moves out of the 'festival circuit' with none other than Shah Rukh Khan backing his film, everything seems to be falling in place. With only a few days left for the release of this grand fairytale, Amol chats with IndiaFM about a vision called Paheli.
Where did the idea of Paheli germinate?
I had read Duvidha, the novel, way back in 1984, and since then I have been an admirer of Vijaydan Detha, the author. The story 'Duvidha' remained with me and continued to fascinate me. The stories that I read remain in the back of mind and grow like a plant grows, the same must have happened with Duvidha. It was about 3 years back that I thought I must make a film on this. Then Sandhya, my wife and I started discussing on this. We also got in touch with Bidji (Vijaydan Detha) and the whole process started.
When did you approach Shah Rukh Khan?
While Sandhya was writing the script we also visited Rajasthan four times. By the time the shooting script was ready we knew exactly where we wanted to shoot every scene of the film. All the aspects of art direction, sets and locations were getting crystallized. The costumes were also being developed. We had approached M.M. Kreem for music and we had finalized the tunes. We approached Shah Rukh at that stage. After listening to the narration he said “Sir do you mind if I produce the film?”. That came as a pleasant surprise and there on the film went in full force.
Did SRK tell you what he loved about the film?
He loved everything about the script. Even today when we recollect, he is absolutely in love with Sandhya's script. Besides the script, he must have loved his role too. He also liked my style of working, where a lot of things were already taken care of, we knew exactly what to do and maybe that's why he offered to produce the film.
Did you take any cinematic liberties with the novel?
A folk tale has the strength to remain fresh inspite of time. Vijaydan Detha took a folk tale and wrote his interpretation, I took his interpretation and have re-told the story according to my interpretation. So that very process is so exciting and fun. Folktales have this age-old charm. This story particularly has so much depth in it and so many layers to offer all that excited us. We are glad that after Bidji (Vijaydan Detha) read the script he wrote an eloquent letter to us full of unreserved praise and acknowledgement, which is something that overwhelmed us. He said that the script gave him a fresh perspective on the story and should be evaluated as a separate independent work.
Why didn't you retain the title 'Duvidha'?
Because we are not remaking Mani Kaul's Duvidha. Unfortunately these days the trend is to take a third rate Hollywood film and to make a seventh rate carbon copy of that. I am taking an enchanting folk tale and having a fresh look at that, so it is but natural that everything will change except the core story.
Your films underline social issues, what does Paheli address?
There are many issues that the film deals with but the core issue is that many a times in our society women don't get to choose. I strongly believe women are equal to men and hence they have equal right to choose - Paheli is that. And we all liked this core question and other issues that emerge out of that so much that Paheli became our quest to find answers for them. I know when you put it like this then it sounds more like an art film or some thesis being discussed, but Paheli is a very beautiful, lovable, charming film, which gives you a “feel good” feeling. Audiences will take something back home.
Would you call Paheli a crossbred of the esoteric and the entertaining?
Paheli is an absolute conscious marriage of both. I have always believed in reaching out to the masses but in order to do that you don't have to make a senseless film and just because you have to make a meaningful film you don't have to make it boring, you need not have 'holier than thou' attitude; that will not keep the audiences engrossed in the film. Therefore I have no hesitation about telling you a story with stars and their charisma and their mass following. The actors that I have in Paheli are the best that we have today and that's a fact; that they have millions of fans only helps me to take my story to the wider audience.
Your film has a wonderful assortment of fine actors. How was the experience?
Absolutely fascinating and to be able to get them that itself is lovely. To be able to get somebody like Juhi Chawla who by her sheer presence can exude a kind of tenderness and warmth even without uttering a single word is something so beautiful and so refreshing so I am happy that she is able to give little more dimension to that character or Rajpal Yadav or Anupam Kher, they all have proved their credentials of being very fine actors over and over again, in Paheli they will not only satisfy the viewers with their performance but will give something more of them that people had not seen before.
With Shah Rukh being not only the actor, but also the producer, was there any interference from him?
Well, Shah Rukh is not only a very mature, very focused and a very down to earth man, as a producer. Shah Rukh loved the script and he knew what he was doing and he did exactly what was expected out of him as a producer, he stood very strongly behind me as a producer, gave me all that was needed. Had it not been for Shah Rukh we wouldn't have been able to make the film so fast. Speaking about the difference, when 100 odd people and each one with their own background, their own languages, their own way of expressing, difference were bound to be there. There were differences but they were creative and constructive. Shah Rukh is fully aware of his strength but he also has the humility to respect other professionals, same is the case with me, I know my job but I also give creative space to other artists.
Any special incident that touched your heart while making Paheli?
There is one thing about Shah Rukh I want to speak about in depth, there are a lot of special effects required in the movie and that is the inherent demand of the script, but not the special effects like that of today, very dazzling or tacky and plastic. Now for Paheli where we are dealing with a folk tale we can't have special effects that look plastic or contemporary. This is where Shah Rukh Khan, not only the producer but the human being who is so techno savvy got into the picture. He brought two technicians from abroad and they had a discussion with me and they assured me that they would not be tacky and give me exactly what I wanted. This speaks volumes about the kind of person Shah Rukh Khan is, I was truly touched.
Were SRK and Rani first choice for the role?
Yes they were, not only SRK and Rani…each one of them. This is again almost kind of a dream that every actor you can think of for each character is available.
Tell us what you think about the music of Paheli?
Paheli is a kind of album which you will not only love today but you will keep on loving it for quite sometime because M.M. Kreem, according to me gives beautiful melody which remains in your mind. This beautiful music will be loved and that too for a very long time.
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Paheli Jewellery now available!
