Why do people call you pitaji (father)IJ
Is mein koi raaz nahin hain betaji. It is very simple. People call me guruji — a guide. Just like a parent (father) teaches his child that the world has good people and bad and prepares him to face the world outside, I too help my followers. I impart knowledge; I give them a guru mantra that helps them face any challenge in life. Hence, some started calling me ‘pitaji’ and the title stuck.
You are a guru. What made you turn to filmmakingIJ
There is an interesting story behind this. It was in 2005-06. I was sitting with some youth and having a conversation with them. I wanted to know what they did in their spare time. What they liked. At first, they were a little hesitant. But on probing, they told me that they loved watching films. That got me thinking — why not make films and use it as a medium to connect with the youth in India. That is why the first film MSG:The Messenger. The response among the youth was tremendous. They loved it. Hence, the second film.
Will there be more filmsIJ
Yes, definitely. But I don’t know whether part three of MSG will be out first or will other projects that I am working on materialise first. I have many offers from abroad as well. I am looking at them. But rest assured, I will continue to make films.
Tell us about MSG 2-The MessengerIJ
In 2010, I had visited some tribal areas, I won’t say where. I found that they wore no clothes, ate raw meat, were constantly fighting among themselves; murders were common. The SP of the area told me that there was a murder committed every other day. When I went there, I saw for myself the situation. Young girls — 12-13 had had babies. I was told that boys and girls in this age group run away from home and then come back home pregnant. The families then marry them off. This was the common practice. I intervened. I gave them a guru mantra and slowly changed their way of thinking. The good part was they understood my message.
Does part 2 also come with a messageIJ
like in the first movie where the message was that clothes don’t make a man, it is his actions and attitude, the second one has a deeper message — if one wants to change, nothing is impossible.
You shot in one of the most haunted places in Asia — Bhangarh. Did you feel any negative vibesIJ
I shot during the day and night. Of course, we took permission because we didn’t want any trouble later on. But I found no negativity; saw no ghosts or heard any voices. I tell my followers — bhoot nahin hota, I tell them. It is all a myth. That is another message in my movie — there is nothing called a ghost.
Is that why you shot there — to prove a pointIJ
That happened by chance. We wanted to shoot is a place that resembled a ruin. Bhangarh proved to be an ideal spot. It looked like the tribal area we wanted to showcase.
You wear jeans, fancy and colourful T-shirts which is not in keeping with the image of a sant. Why do you wear themIJ
Actually, till 2005, I used to wear white clothes. But some of my young followers told me that I wanted to find a connect with them, I would have to behave and wear clothes like they do. I have always maintained that clothes doesn’t make a man. If I change the way I dress and it helps seven lakh youth to join me in my ‘donate blood’ campaign, I have no problem in wearing jeans and a T-shirt. I had designed clothes for my children in the wedding. So I changed my look and started designing my own clothes.
One message for the youth
Never get depressed. Never do drugs. If you fail, get up and try again; success will be yours.