Anubhav Sinha | The writer-producer and director who has films like Ra.One, Dus and Mulk to his credit, talks to Shalini Saksena about how he is a director first and then a writer, producer and his next film set to release early next year
How did Mulk strike you?
Like the movie says in the beginning, it is based on certain newspaper headlines. Those kept coming back to me and I was lucky enough to weave them into a story. The film finally took shape in January 2017.
What challenges do such movies pose?
The biggest challenge is to make an unbiased film. This is because you belong to one of the two parties. It then becomes difficult to stay unbiased. You try to be. At the end of the day, it is the people who tell you that you have been objective.
Did you keep any pointers in mind while choosing the cast?
No, there were no pointers. A lot of times, typical Bollywood entertainers give priority to stars over the story itself. But for a story like Mulk, there is only one consideration which is dictated by the story.
The film got rave reviews. Did you expect it to do so well?
You leave it to critics but you do have expectations. Both on the box office and in critic’s reviews, Mulk outperformed my expectations.
Is box office performance important to you?
Very important! I don’t want to make films that no one will watch.
You have taken up different projects. How do you choose them?
There is no checklist that I have. If I feel excited about a subject, if it attracts me, I take it up. I have never thought of a strategy. That is why you see such diverse projects to my name.
You are a producer, director and a writer. Which role excites you the most?
I am basically a storyteller who wants to tell a story and then be part of the technical aspect of the art form of producing, directing and writing. Professionally though, I am a director first, then a writer and only then a producer.
Is directing the best way to tell a story?
Yes, that is correct.
Mulk is premiering on &Pictures. How would you want the viewers to perceive it?
If it was a message that could be sent in words, then there would be no point in making this film. Having said that, I would want people to see it as an emotional film about them. It is on us and our society, that is why it is called Mulk.
What next?
I have almost finished the film Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai which is a political satire. It should be out early next year. That is keeping me busy these days.