“My next is based on Chittagong Uprising starring Abhishek” – Ashutosh Gowariker : Bollywood News

There is a general saying that 'He came, he saw, he conquered'. Well, when it comes to the master filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, the same saying rechristens itself as 'He came, he made and he made others see'! For starters, Ashutosh is the same very man, whose 'Pehla Nasha' is to make movies which not only wins every 'Baazi', but also touches every heart and soul. Testimonials to this stand in the form 'Lagaan' and 'Jodhaa Akbar', that not only won hearts in 'Swades' but internationally too!

“My next is based on Chittagong Uprising starring Abhishek” – Ashutosh Gowariker

The good news is that Ashutosh Gowariker, who is back with yet another cracker of a film What's Your Raashee? was on Bollywood Hungama's Celebrity Chat, wherein he chatted with his fans from all over the globe. For those who missed the bus, here are the excerpts of Ashutosh's chat:

Niraj: -Ashutosh saab, What's Your Raashee is good but not as beautiful as Jodhaa Akbar or Lagaan. According to me, Jodhaa Akbar is the most beautiful film made by you. Please make a film as beautiful as Jodhaa Akbar once again.

Ashutosh Gowariker: Niraj, Thanks for your observation. Someday, I will make another film like Jodhaa Akbar. But that day is very far. In the meantime, I will want to try diff kinds of cinema, and I hope that u will come to see it each time.

Ashutosh Gowariker: Sheeba, it is thanks to Pehla Nasha and Baazi, that I could make a Lagaan. And thanks to Lagaan, I could make a Swades. And hence, Jodhaa Akbar.

Sheeba: Dear Ashutosh sir! I just loved your directorial debut Pehla Nasha, which I think is one of the best suspense thrillers from Bollywood and very intelligently directed movie, then what you think that film has flopped and gone completely unnoticed??

Ashutosh Gowariker: Sheeba, it is thanks to Pehla Nasha and Baazi, that I could make a Lagaan. And thanks to Lagaan, I could make a Swades. And hence, Jodhaa Akbar. And the fact that u appreciated JA, give me the courage to go in2 a new territory a rom-com ...WYR? And I hope people like my attempt!

Rick: Hi Ashutosh, i just saw your movies yesterday, it was brilliant but i think was lengthy u should have deleted some songs. What's ur justification?

Ashutosh Gowariker: Rick, Glad that u liked it. You are right. There are too many songs. But I thought that its important that every raashee gets a song that represents that raashee accurately.

Niraj: what are the responses that you got up till now for your movie?

Ashutosh Gowariker: Niraj, one common response is that it's very good, but a little long. But, I think that if u view the film as my attempt at a romantic comedy after making period films and historical, u might enjoy it.

Niraj: Ashutosh saab, how did the idea of Jodhaa-Akbar came? Although I don't disagree that Akbar-The Great was a secular ruler but Jodhaa says not to force her to change her religion but Jodhaa was renamed Mariam-Ul-Zamani as per historical records. Also how Akbar nama commissioned by Akbar didn't have mention of the name 'Jodhaa' Is there any historical reference to this scene you shot. Also is the Akbar asking Jodhaa to go back Amer after conspiracy based on historical facts?

Ashutosh Gowariker: Niraj, Marium-uz-Zamani was a title conferred on Jodhaa the day she gave birth to Salim aka Jahangir. Till then, she was referred to as the princess of Amer or Jodhaa. It was not a regular norm for the court writers to mention the women from the harem in the books, especially Akbarnama and hence the exclusions. The fact that Akbar allowed Jodhaa to keep her religion and built a temple for her, later abolished the Pilgrim Tax, and introduced so many Hindu customs in court, also included a lot of Hindu courtiers in court and finally, wanted to start his own religion in the belief that he can unify everyone under his philosophy of 'Sul-e-Kul' are reasons enough to believe that he was secular.

Dkhan: Hi...right now you are working on which script?

Ashutosh Gowariker: Dkhan, my next is a thriller, based on the Chittagong Uprising of 1930 called 'Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se'. This one will only be 2 hours long!!!

Ashutosh Gowariker: Dkhan, my next is a thriller, based on the Chittagong Uprising of 1930 called 'Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se'. This one will only be 2 hours long!!!

Aniket: hii...i liked ur movies..the vfx were good...don't u think the nanaji part and the detective thing was not required as Priyanka and Harman were so good?

Ashutosh Gowariker: Aniket, glad to know that you liked the film. If I had not kept the tracks of the detective and Nanaji, then all the Priyankas would have come together and would have made the viewing more tedious. So these tracks give us the relief from Yogesh and the different Raashee's girls.

Ally: Was there any awkwardness between Priyanka and you after what you said at the award show?

Ashutosh Gowariker: Hi Ally... no not at all... I had said it in jest. The fact is I should not have said it at all. It was bad timing. But we know each other very well and hence she understood. Thankfully!!

Ashutosh Gowariker: Hi Ally... no not at all... I had said it in jest. The fact is I should not have said it at all. It was bad timing. But we know each other very well and hence she understood. Thankfully!!

Englishbox: Hi Ashutosh sir, How would you describe what it was like working with Sohail Sen on 'What's Your Raashee' soundtrack (and singing on it)?

Ashutosh Gowariker: It was wonderful to work with Sohail, Englishbox. His knowledge of the various forms of music including, folk music, Indian classical, western classical and also world music was very helpful in creating the rich soundtrack of the movie. Also, he created tunes which did complete justice to each of the Raashees! I hope you liked the songs...

Shriya: why did you cast Harman knowing that all his movies have been a flop till date....?

Ashutosh Gowariker: Hi Shriya, when I cast Harman, his two films had not released. I liked his performance and thought he would be best suited for my movie. And I am glad I did cast him. He did a splendid job. Did you get the chance to see the film?

Dkhan: Priyanka Chopra is the first actor possibly in world cinema to play12 different characters in a single movie. That is quite a challenge. What made you cast Priyanka?

Ashutosh Gowariker: Hi Dkhan... quite simply because she is a fab actress. I have seen her right from her first film HERO and then in AITRAAZ.

Aniket: Do u believe in bound script or r u open to changes on the set? Which one u think is better?

Ashutosh Gowariker: I like to have a combination of both a bound script as well as improvisations on set. I also believe that all my direction happens 80 percent on paper.

Sachin: sir. I want to work with you...how that's possible?

Ashutosh Gowariker: Hi Sachin... you can surely contact my office and leave your pictures. I have a system by which, when I am casting for a new movie, I look at each and every picture and make my selections. So, let's see if our raashees match... :-)

Akshay: The song 'Manunga Manunga' is damn funny and you have really sung well in that song.

Ashutosh Gowariker: Thanks Akshay... I'm just a bathroom singer who got the opportunity to sing the simplest song in the film, of course after the permissions from Sohail Sen the composer and Sunita, the producer... and I'm serious! :-)

Ashutosh Gowariker: Hi Rohit, as we chat now, I have only finalized the actor who will play Surjya Sen - ABHISHEK BACHCHAN.

NV: Ashutosh Saab, what is the difference between 'Old School' and 'New School' of Filmmaking?

Ashutosh Gowariker: Dear NV... in terms of scripts, there is no difference. Whichever school you belong to, your script has to be supreme. I am someone who belongs to the new school but who respects and admires the old school!!

Rohitmishra: Who are there in Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se?????

Ashutosh Gowariker: Hi Rohit, as we chat now, I have only finalized the actor who will play Surjya Sen - ABHISHEK BACHCHAN.

Rahim: How do you react to the negative publicity each time?

Ashutosh Gowariker: Dear Rahim... I take it in my stride and hope for the best - that is YOU ARE WATCHING THE MOVIE! Have you seen it yet?

Ashutosh Gowariker: Well guys... the moderator now tells me that my time is up (that too when I was just beginning to enjoy)! So, looking forward to chat with you another time... till then... take care... ciao!