Rahul will make a good PM: Ritiesh
Has shooting for Rann revealed anything new about the Indian media?
There wasn’t anything shockingly new for me. The film is part
There wasn’t anything shockingly new for me. The film is part
fiction. Corruption exists in almost all spheres of life and the media is no exception. Rann is all about the battle to be in the top slot. Be it sports, politics, the corporate world or the media, competition often breeds cruelty. How many times have we heard of what cricketers do to get a berth in the team, how tough companies get to bag a contract or what top leaders do to get a Parliament ticket? It’s a war right upto the end.
Speaking of power, when have you felt the most powerful?
Power means the will to register a change for the better. A man who lives in a small house might bring about that change by buying a television. Since I’m not the number one star who can take a call on things, I haven’t ever felt powerful enough to bring about any change.
When have you felt completely vulnerable?
When you are in a profession that is written about in the media, you are vulnerable everyday. You have no control over how you will be projected. Freedom of expression is such a great weapon that people can say whatever they want to, in a bold font. Days later, they might retract and apologise, in a smaller font size, which can easily elude people’s eyes. With time, one tends to make peace with all of this. I’m not averse to criticism. Since childhood, I’ve learnt to take criticism in the right spirit.
You’ve faced a lot of flak for RGV accompanying you to the Taj. On hindsight, do you think you could have been more cautious?
It’s not about being cautious. Had I known what it would lead to, I wouldn’t have done it. During my dad’s career as the CM, I’ve hardly attended functions with him. Television channels had run footages that were provided to them by the government. There was a lot of anger in people and by using that footage, channels started projecting opinions rather than letting the audience think for itself. Things were blown out of proportion, and some said that RGV was there because he was making a film on terrorism. Others went on to
imagine that he was making a film on the terror attacks and that my dad had invited him there.
Some even said that RGV was responsible for your dad losing his chief ministership...
That’s an immature viewpoint. Those who don’t understand politics might make or believe that
statement.
The National Anthem song controversy has sparked off a huge debate...
There is a sense of the National Anthem in the song. But there is great passion and integrity in the lyrics. Jana Gana Mana Rann Hai isn’t a love song or an item number. I’ve often been to Ganapati festivals, where the idol is shown as a cricketer or even an astronaut. Even CDs and cassettes of bhajans set to filmi tunes are on sale. But we have never found such works to be derogatory because they were done with a purity of heart. Every person will have an individual view of the song. If people are upset, I would humbly ask them to listen to the song carefully for themselves. If they are still upset, I will say sorry. I haven’t chosen the song, but since I’m part of the promo, I am also responsible for it.
What’s your take on dynastic politics? Any inclination to join politics in future?
Every child finds a hero in his father. If a person is doing a good job of making the people of his
constituency happy, where is the problem? I love politics, keep myself updated and am not averse to the idea of joining politics actively. But right now, I am happy doing films. Moreover, joining politics can’t be an overnight decision. If I join politics, the same questions on dynastic politics will be raised.
Do you see Rahul Gandhi as India’s future Prime Minister?
Why not? He is young and has been working for the people. With his charisma and acceptability, I think he will make a good Prime Minister. I’ve only met him once, though.
A lot of stars didn’t vote this time, despite asking others to vote...
I had flown down to Latur to vote. It’s sad that Mumbai registered only 40 per cent votes. If tomorrow
someone complains about bad roads, I’ll first ask whether he has voted or not. If he hasn’t, he has lost his turn to question and will have to wait for another five years. It’s important to be responsible citizens.
Your film, Aladin is there at the market in Cannes. Are you Cannes-bound too?
No. When I saw the film on Monday, it felt like dreaming with my eyes open. Cinematographer Sirsha (Roy) has done a great job. Every kid wants to be Aladin. And imagine my luck that I was rubbing a lamp, only to have Amitabh Bachchan appear as a genie in front of me!
In real life, what would you want from a genie?
Human beings are greedy by nature, unless one is aspiring to be a Miss World or Miss Universe, where all one seeks, is peace! But jokes apart, finally everything one asks for, boils down to a craving for happiness, respect
and love.
Though that almost sounds like a pageant wishlist, are you still single or have you found love in Genelia?
I am not seeing Genelia. The media, I suppose, doesn’t get the answer it wants to hear and hence, keeps on
asking me the same question.
Speaking of power, when have you felt the most powerful?
Power means the will to register a change for the better. A man who lives in a small house might bring about that change by buying a television. Since I’m not the number one star who can take a call on things, I haven’t ever felt powerful enough to bring about any change.
When have you felt completely vulnerable?
When you are in a profession that is written about in the media, you are vulnerable everyday. You have no control over how you will be projected. Freedom of expression is such a great weapon that people can say whatever they want to, in a bold font. Days later, they might retract and apologise, in a smaller font size, which can easily elude people’s eyes. With time, one tends to make peace with all of this. I’m not averse to criticism. Since childhood, I’ve learnt to take criticism in the right spirit.
You’ve faced a lot of flak for RGV accompanying you to the Taj. On hindsight, do you think you could have been more cautious?
It’s not about being cautious. Had I known what it would lead to, I wouldn’t have done it. During my dad’s career as the CM, I’ve hardly attended functions with him. Television channels had run footages that were provided to them by the government. There was a lot of anger in people and by using that footage, channels started projecting opinions rather than letting the audience think for itself. Things were blown out of proportion, and some said that RGV was there because he was making a film on terrorism. Others went on to
imagine that he was making a film on the terror attacks and that my dad had invited him there.
Some even said that RGV was responsible for your dad losing his chief ministership...
That’s an immature viewpoint. Those who don’t understand politics might make or believe that
statement.
The National Anthem song controversy has sparked off a huge debate...
There is a sense of the National Anthem in the song. But there is great passion and integrity in the lyrics. Jana Gana Mana Rann Hai isn’t a love song or an item number. I’ve often been to Ganapati festivals, where the idol is shown as a cricketer or even an astronaut. Even CDs and cassettes of bhajans set to filmi tunes are on sale. But we have never found such works to be derogatory because they were done with a purity of heart. Every person will have an individual view of the song. If people are upset, I would humbly ask them to listen to the song carefully for themselves. If they are still upset, I will say sorry. I haven’t chosen the song, but since I’m part of the promo, I am also responsible for it.
What’s your take on dynastic politics? Any inclination to join politics in future?
Every child finds a hero in his father. If a person is doing a good job of making the people of his
constituency happy, where is the problem? I love politics, keep myself updated and am not averse to the idea of joining politics actively. But right now, I am happy doing films. Moreover, joining politics can’t be an overnight decision. If I join politics, the same questions on dynastic politics will be raised.
Do you see Rahul Gandhi as India’s future Prime Minister?
Why not? He is young and has been working for the people. With his charisma and acceptability, I think he will make a good Prime Minister. I’ve only met him once, though.
A lot of stars didn’t vote this time, despite asking others to vote...
I had flown down to Latur to vote. It’s sad that Mumbai registered only 40 per cent votes. If tomorrow
someone complains about bad roads, I’ll first ask whether he has voted or not. If he hasn’t, he has lost his turn to question and will have to wait for another five years. It’s important to be responsible citizens.
Your film, Aladin is there at the market in Cannes. Are you Cannes-bound too?
No. When I saw the film on Monday, it felt like dreaming with my eyes open. Cinematographer Sirsha (Roy) has done a great job. Every kid wants to be Aladin. And imagine my luck that I was rubbing a lamp, only to have Amitabh Bachchan appear as a genie in front of me!
In real life, what would you want from a genie?
Human beings are greedy by nature, unless one is aspiring to be a Miss World or Miss Universe, where all one seeks, is peace! But jokes apart, finally everything one asks for, boils down to a craving for happiness, respect
and love.
Though that almost sounds like a pageant wishlist, are you still single or have you found love in Genelia?
I am not seeing Genelia. The media, I suppose, doesn’t get the answer it wants to hear and hence, keeps on
asking me the same question.
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