Let classics be classics: Kukunoor

JAIPUR: In the present scenario when many filmmakers are testing new waters by trying the remakes of yesteryear classics, the maker of films like Hyderabad Blues, Rockford and Iqbal thinks that classic films should remain classic and there is no need of trying the remakes.

On a visit here to promote his upcoming film Dor, Kukunoor said, "I don't think there is a need of remaking the classics and thus disturbing the original beauty of the film."

"I am not saying anything about the filmmakers who are trying remakes. What I think about remaking a movie is what I said. I am not saying any filmmaker who is trying the remakes is doing the wrong thing" he said.

Refusing to be drawn into the issue of remakes of Don and Umrao Jaan, he said, "Since both these remakes are yet to be released, I can't comment on the movies. But my personal opinion is that let classics be classics because even if you watch any yesteryear Amitabh Bachchan film or other classics the beauty is the same, and we still love these films."

On Dor, he said, "I believe in making my films in real life stories. So, Dor is a real life story of two women and it is all about love, friendship, hope, redemption, with the two women from two different worlds, one has nothing to lose and the other has everything to fight for."

"The most difficult thing while shooting this film was working in the desert of Rajasthan for 12 hours a day," Kukunoor added.

Disagreeing to suggestion that he was desperate to get back into mainstream after Iqbal, he said, "There is no desperation. Iqbal clicked because it was the film of the masses. I am just a story teller who thinks to tell a different story in every film."

On being asked why he has signed up John Abraham and Rani Mukherji then for his forthcoming movie Aaashayen if commercial stream is not what he is aiming at, Kukunoor clarifies, "As far as John is concerned, I have not signed him because he has got 'star' stature. I have signed him because he is an actor and as far as casting Rani Mukherji is concerned, nothing has been finalised as yet."

Nagesh, who spent a part of his early life in his birthplace -- Hyderabad -- moved to Atlanta, US in 1988 to study Chemical Engineering. While working as an environmental consultant in Atlanta, he discovered his passion for filmmaking and did a course in acting at the Warehouse Actor's Theatre in Atlanta. After spending a year in Mumbai to understand the working of Bollywood industry, Hyderabad Blues was born in 1998.

"Every film is like a vacation for me. There are some people who go for a long vacation saying that they are doing it after completing their projects and films. But, for me making every film is like a vacation having new people around, new team and a new story to be told," the maverick director signs off.