"Shah Rukh Khan is extraordinary" - Narayana Murthy
Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, believes that Hindi cinema can bring home an Oscar. Filmfare understands why dreams are his biggest investment
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For global software tycoon NR Narayana Murthy, co-founder and now Chairman Emeritus of Infosys, it may all be about airport hopping, conferences across continents and turnovers that topple balance-sheet records. But Murthy, India's paramount IT player, still cherishes the small joys associated with romancing wife Sudha Murthy, writer/ philanthropist and Chairperson of the Infosys Foundation. And Hindi movies were a touch point of their courtship during the '70s. Movies that anointed the boy next door as the hero, movies that celebrated a plain heroine in cotton sarees and undone tresses, films that promised clean laughter. Even today, films mean 'together time' for the couple and a visit to theatre is a much sought for bonus. Yes, Murthy enjoys films. Films that speak of dreams ' often of the gritty kind. Because when he had no money he had only dreams. Something no one understands better than his better half, who sidestepped her ambitions to help him achieve it all'
"My parents didn't take us along for movies"
My father was a teacher. We were five children. My parents watched a lot of films but they never took us along. But the first film
I watched was the Kannada movie Schoolmaster (1958). A similar storyline was witnessed in Amitabh Bachchan's Baghban (2003). But Schoolmaster was more impactful. It described the virtue of a teacher and his sacrifices.
"Sudha reignited my interest in films"
My interest in Hindi films was reignited when I met my wife Sudha in Pune in 1974. We got married in 1978. She's a movie buff and as a good suitor I did what she liked. Those days for us youngsters, who were away from their homes, movies provided clean and affordable entertainment. Buying a ticket for four rupees and sitting in an AC theatre was great fun.
"I enjoy comedies more than romances"
I loved Chupke Chupke (1975). It had a great cast of Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore and Jaya Bhaduri. I enjoy comedies more than romances. At the end of the day, we all need to laugh and comedies provide that relaxation. I love to laugh. I also enjoyed Amol Palekar's movies; Golmaal directed by Hrishikesh Mukherji and Rajnigandha and Chhotisi Baat by Basu Chaterjee. Amol Palekar came across as someone you could easily relate to. And his directors created situations that a common man could identify with.
"Amitabh finally found his match in Shakti"
Jaya Bhaduri and Shabana Azmi made an impact on our generation. They played characters we could identify with, be it in Guddi (1971), Abhimaan (1973) or Masoom (1983). As for the definition of beauty, for me, my wife is the one. I don't go beyond Sudha. But all radiate charm. I loved Anand (1971). It had good music and spoke about the goodness of life. Even someone who's terminally ill sees life in a positive light. Rajesh Khanna, as an actor, brought so much joy. Shakti (1982) was my first Dilip Kumar film. Finally, Amitabh had found his match. Though Sholay (1975)was a superhit, I'm not a fan of violence.
"A young man can melt a girl's heart with Shammiji's songs"
I happened to hear a lot of film songs. Though I can't recollect any specific lyrics, you could take any of my good friend Shammi Kapoor's (the late actor was India's first Internet user) songs. Any young man can take any of Shammi Kapoor's songs and do a good job of melting a young girl's heart.
I usually listen to Western classical music. But right now, it's the music of English Vinglish on my iPod. Today's singers are no less than the older ones, whether it's Sunidhi Chauhan, Shreya Ghosal or anyone else. Unlike between the '50s-'80s where there was monopoly, today there's democratisation and that's good for the industry.
"SRK is extraordinary"
The finest movie going experience in recent times was watching Chak De India (2007). Sudha and I were the only two 60 plus people in the theatre. The youngsters shouted at every goal the hockey players scored in the film. SRK is an extraordinary actor. But this is his only movie that I've watched. I end up watching a movie once in three months or so. The last movie I saw was English Vinglish. Director Gauri Shinde, Sridevi and her onscreen husband Adil Hussain have done a great job. We may have 5000 DVDs at home but it's not as much fun as watching a film in a theatre.
"Naseer and Shabana are world class"
I also admire Naseeruddin Shah. When you bring Naseer and Shabana together it has to be world class cinema. Though Masoom was based on Erich Segal's Man, Woman and Child, the way Shekhar Kapur adapted it was brilliant. The characters made you laugh in their joy and cry in their sorrow. Amongst the current actresses Konkona Sen Sharma is our finest. I've watched her in Mr and Mrs Iyer (2002), 15 Park Avenue (2005) and Laaga Chunari Mein Daag (2007). She's what Shabana Azmi was in her days.
"I admire the patience of actors"
I don't idolise any actor. But I admire them. In 1969, I remember watching a film shoot in Ahmedabad. I realised it was so difficult to shoot. I may have given a lot of interviews for TV but I'm still not comfortable with the arc lights. The actors had to give multiple takes yet were patient and cheerful. To overcome your inhibitions and show talent with thousands watching is not an easy job.
"I've never asked for an autograph"
I didn't but Sudha did once. A few years ago, when the then British Prime Minister Tony Blair had come down, Sudha being a fan of Aamir Khan and Lagaan being just released then, did ask for his autograph. Aamir and I've participated in several philanthropies. He's generous and concerned about society. Yash Chopra is perhaps the only person I knew well. I liked Yashji's Silsila. He brought Amitabh, Rekha and Jaya together while they brought so much authenticity to their roles.
"My wife is my censor board"
Sudha suggests films only which are worth it. (Laughs) Consequently, my view of the world is highly censored. So I don't know whether I am the right person to comment on skin show in the movies. But when I look at English Vinglish and what Gauri Shinde has achieved and what Sridevi has demonstrated, it's possible to overcome any bottleneck with commitment. 3 Idiots is another example of good values and message.
"If Omar Sheriff could make it to Hollywood so can our actors"
Hollywood is more competitive, grander and has global reach. My favourite Hollywood actors are Christopher Plummer, Julie Andrews, Rex Harrison, Audrey Hepburn, Richard Burton, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston to name a few. But succeeding in Hollywood is difficult. It doesn't mean that our actors can't make it there. If Omar Sheriff (Egyptian actor) can be successful, so can they. They have the personality. Perhaps, there was so much adulation and work in India that none of them thought it was worthwhile going there.
"I want an Indian film to win an Oscar"
I used to tell Yashji that I admired his late brother BR Chopra for making the epic TV show Mahabharat. Not only would the streets turn empty on Sundays but people would not take a flight on Sunday because they didn't want to miss the show. I told Yashji that it was my dream to see Indian filmmakers make a movie for the global audience on Western personalities like John Kennedy, Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, Pele... just like Richard Attenborough made Gandhi. I want such a film to win an Oscar Inshallah! I'd want it to gross over two billion dollars. With people like Aamir Khan we'd be able to do it. A biopic on my life? I don't think my life is worth such a thing. I've had a small job to do in life and I've done it to the best of my ability.
Book Talk
Anupamaa
Vasudha
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