Rajat Kapoor writes a column on independent cinema 
By Deepa Gahlot, April 6, 2007 - 09:29 IST
I graduated from the Film and Television Institute, Pune in 1988. I could make my first film Private Detective only in 1995 and it could not get released. In 2003, I made Raghu Romeo, and at least it saw the light of day. From then on, there has been an exponential change. I was able to make Mixed Doubles (2006) and now Mithya (almost complete) in quick succession.
And this change happened after the multiplexes came in. After the Akashwani auditorium in Mumbai shut down there was no space for alternative cinema. If an offbeat film were to be released in a large theatre, even with two prints and two ads in the papers, to pay just the rent you would need at least 400 people to come in to see the film. Now multiplexes charge no rent and share revenues, and in a 150-200 seater, even if there are 70 people it looks full.
Most importantly the audience is ready for a change. If Khosla Ka Ghosla is remembered and Naksha with big stars is forgotten, that is a positive development. For 30-40 years filmmakers were being told that this (mindless commercial films) is what the audience wants. The fact is that they didn't know anything better. Today the audience is saying we don't want it and they have the option to be able to say that.
This is a great time for independent cinema. If a Kisna, Salaam-E-Ishq, Eklavya can fail, then nobody knows what will work. So why should filmmakers like me not try to make our kind of films? Today a Page 3 can be made in 2 crore and can make 9 crore. Earlier a film that was made in 70 lakhs lost it all. At least today there is a chance for a small film to recover its money. There is an alternative model in place.
Today I can make a film with producers like Handmade Films and Planman Motion Pictures and get complete creative freedom. I had promised myself that I would never take a shot I don't believe in. It was a choice I made and never cribbed, even though I went through some tough times.
Nearly 20 years after graduating from the FTII, I can say that I am now a practicing filmmaker, and I am earning a living from making films.
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