“Mahesh Bhatt said he could have never directed Woh Lamhe and I think I would have never been able to write this film” - Mohit Suri 
By Reshma Kelkar, September 20, 2006 - 05:10 IST
"No filmmaker can make a film that is complete original." says director Mohit Suri, who is all set with one more intense subject once again. This two film old young director follows his heart and this time he showcases the precious moments of Mahesh Bhatt and Parveen Babi's life. Mohit enlightens his emotional attachment with Woh Lamhe.
He has proved his talent through the success of his first two films Zeher and Kalyug. According to him, he has always made films of his age. He says, “It's a marketing gimmick so I generally make films that could stand out. I don't have stars to back me up, neither do I have big budgets but I go high on ideas. I don't think any actor of my age would have attempted a subject like this. I want my films to stand out from the crowd. You can call it my vanity or my potential but that's the truth.”
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I don't have stars to back me up, neither do I have big budgets but I go high on ideas.
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He believes every filmmaker needs an inspiration that he converts into a film. “It was a big responsibility for me as I was not making a film based on sex or crime. It was equally difficult for me to make a film that is not exactly an autobiography but a semi- autobiography. I generally believe that no filmmaker can make a film that is completely original; he is always inspired by books or foreign DVDs or from real life. I think I was lucky enough to experience Mahesh Bhatt and Parveen Babi closely. I told Mahesh uncle to pen all the moments that he spent together with Parveen Babi and he did.”
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It was difficult for me to make a film that is not exactly an autobiography but a semi- autobiography.
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Apparently, Woh Lamhe showcases the time when director Mahesh Bhatt was an aspirant director from the industry and had a relationship with actress Parvin Babi. It's about the moments that they spent together. As a director Mohit has added his interpretation of their relationship. “The setting changes, costume changes, people changes but the moments that people have in their life never changes. My theme caters on those moments. The reason I kept a contemporary setting for this film is because I didn't want to make the film look like an autobiography. Secondly the characters of yesterday would not work today.” He adds.
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The reason I kept a contemporary setting for this film is because I didn't want to make the film look like an autobiography.
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Mohit declares that they all were emotionally connected while making this movie. He also reminisces that he made Mr Mahesh Bhatt cry while watching this movie. This was a film where Mohit didn't use his mind but has worked with his heart. He says, “It is scary when Mr Bhatt is watching your film. He asked me to grade my self and I graded myself eight out of ten. I saw him crying while watching a scene where Kangana feels that she is attacked by people but actually it's an attack of madness. It's a sad scene because it shows the helplessness of the other character as well. Mr. Bhatt is a powerful man today but that time he felt a kind of incapacity to deal with that condition. Moreover, when I saw him touched by watching that scene I realized that the objective of making this film has fulfilled.”
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I generally believe that no filmmaker can make a film that is completely original.
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Talking about his first choice Emaran Hashmi he says, “The script was star by itself. I told Emran that you should do this film and this film will change your image. But it's really unfortunate that he couldn't do it. However Shiny has done a brilliant job in this film. I don't think anyone can replace him except Shiny and Kangana in this film. Mr Bhatt has watched this film and feels that this is the best film ever made by his company. He said that he would have never directed this film and I think I would never be able to write this film. I know this is the most passionate film and everyone is connected with the film on an emotional level. I can't give credits to myself as I feel it's a team work that reflects through and my film will speak for itself.”
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I told Mahesh uncle to pen all the moments that he spent together with Parveen Babi and he did.
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When asked would he like to work with other filmmakers as well, Mohit quips, “I get offers from everybody except Yash Chopra. But I am not amazed by working with any banner or by working with the stars. I think I have done pretty well on my own. I am enjoying my work with these people. Mahesh Bhatt is my uncle; he is like father to me. My aunt is a producer and she is like a mother. Vishesh is my bother and I enjoy this family scenario so where is the question of going out? I don't want to go out just to make stars. Nowadays when I see a big budget movie I feel jealous because I feel why I couldn't think of the idea that they could. I want to make big ideas not big films and that is my motivation all this while. I have never been fascinated by anyone or any particular star. I made non actors act. I made newcomers act.”
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Woh Lamhe: Promo Watch
