“Hrithik’s presence in Mohenjo-Daro will make the civilization believable” – Ashutosh Gowariker

By Subhash K. Jha -

June 7, 2014 - 1:50 AM IST

Ashutosh Gowariker talks about his next film with Hrithik Roshan.

“Hrithik’s presence in Mohenjo-Daro will make the civilization believable” – Ashutosh Gowariker

Why did you decide to make a film on the Mohenjo-Daro era?

Simply the lack of information about that period, and therefore the challenge of recreating lives about which little is known. There was very little on how they lived, what they ate, how they felt. Whatever information is available on the era is minor and superficial. That lack of information about the period troubled me on a subconscious level. I decided whenever I get a story to tell that can be located in those times, I'd grab the opportunity.

So you have conceived a fictional story set in Mohenjo-Daro?

That's right. I feel if a story doesn't have resonance to current times it just doesn't connect with the audience.

I remember when you were doing Lagaan I used to wonder how the contemporary audience would connect with story from the Colonial times?

Yes, even in Mohenjo-Daro I have a love story to tell. The story featuring Hrithik Roshan is fictional. But the period is real. The four walls of the house are real. The people inside the house are fictional. I am very excited about it.

In Jodhaa-Akbar you did a historical. In Lagaan you did a fictionalized account of history. Now in Mohenjo-Daro you will fuse the two formats?

Yes, you can say that. When I researched and read up on the various cities that existed during that period I realized every city in Mohenjo-Daro had its own story to tell. It took me three years to piece together the entire civilization through various cities and then weave a love story into it. Incidentally I seem to be going further and further back in time with each film. Lagaan was Modern India. Jodhaa-Akbar was Ancient India. Now Mohenjo-Daro takes me to Medieval India.

What is your fascination with the time gone-by? Is it a sign of disenchantment with present times?

My first two films Pehla Nashaa and Baazi were set in modern times. I find it fascinating to recreate another period. I find it very challenging to visit different cultures and eras in the past. I wouldn't want to return to the same era twice. And this fascination with the past has got nothing to do with the times we're living in. I like to explore different cultures. Whatever the backdrop, the behaviour and attitude of that culture has to be recreated in minute detail.

How do you prepare yourself for the challenge of recreating an entire era from the past time after time?

It's a responsibility to recreate a manner and mores of a culture. If I've taken on the responsibility of recreating a culture, then the work required to get the details and nuances right follow. There is no escaping the personal joy of that journey undertaken into another era. Luckily I have actors and technicians who believe in my vision. The journey starts with me. But I need many others to accompany me to get to the chosen destination.

Why have you chosen Hrithik Roshan as the lead?

Let's put it this way. Just by his presence in Mohenjo-Daro he will make the entire city and civilization believable. Likewise, I may have succeeded in creating the Mughal era without Hrithik in Jodhaa-Akbar. But the era would not have come alive without him. I am glad we're back together. The film will go on the floors in three months.

And is Sonakshi Sinha your leading lady?

I don't know how a section of the media came to that conclusion.

You are also immersed in your television serial Everest?

For me shooting a television serial is no different from shooting a film. The grammar of storytelling doesn't change much. Neither does the question of fulfilling audiences' expectations. In cinema, they have the option of leaving the theatre. On television, they can change the channel.