Dev Anand writes to PM

How do you feel receiving the Pride of India award at the hands of the Andhra CM?
At this stage in my life, I think I need the positive vibrations. Though the award has certainly boosted my morale, I feel that the love showered upon me by my fans for the last 60 years has been my biggest award.

What are your expectations as far as Mr Prime Minister is concerned?
I have never tried to recycle old hits, nor have I copied Hollywood films like some filmmakers in our country. Mr Prime Minister is based on my own story. I have even written the script. I will be launching Beauty Queen in January 2006 and will complete the entire shooting by March 2006. I will still continue to make films.

What is your role in Mr Prime Minister?
I play the role of Johnny Master, who sells newspapers in a small earthquake-ravaged town in Bachhau, Gujarat. The film deals with the incompetent and corrupt government and parliamentary constituency, and how Johnny Master, alias Prem Batra, contests the elections and reaches the coveted chair. I have showed that any Indian can stand up proudly and fight for his rights, as we are the biggest democracy in the world.

What is your film's USP?
You can expect many twists and turns in my film. Filmmaking is very risky and challenging these days. Any film, which will grip the audiences, should have many twists and turns like my two evergreen hits, Jewel Thief and Guide. Mr Prime Minister is totally gripping and daringly different. The climax scenes have too many shocks, which I can't reveal now.

At 82, what inspires you?
I have completed 60 years of my life as a hero, in more than 150 films, including 35 of my own productions. I have always strived for the best, and had great souls like Yash Johar, who learnt everything from Navketan. I remember having invited Amit Khanna, who now holds a big post in Reliance, to meet me in Bombay.

He, too, learnt filmmaking sitting in my office. I introduced Zeenat Aman in Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Tina Munim in Des Pardes, Richa Sharma, Neeta Puri, Jackie Shroff, Shatrughan Sinha, Amrish Puri (Prem Pujari), and many more.

Tell us about the locales where you shot Mr Prime Minister.
For Guide, I had gone to Gujarat, to a place called Limbi, where I filmed those drought scenes. There was no drinking water and no food. People were expecting the rains to come and they start believing I could do everything for them.

Goldie (Vijay Anand) brought out his most creative moments in this film. I used to sit on his head and he never complained; he knew that Guide was truly inspiring to our whole unit.

Even during the shooting of Mr Prime Minister, I went to Gujarat and was more inspired than Guide. Honestly, I feel Mr Prime Minister is a much better film than Guide. I have also shot the film at virgin locales in the UK and Italy. In India, I shot my film in Kutch, Bhuj Palace, Karjat, Lonavala and Matheran, besides Bachhau in Gujarat.

After having bagged the Padma Bhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, what are you aiming at next?
I have put all my experiences in Mr Prime Minister. I have witnessed the freedom struggle. I have also seen the great first Independence Day celebration of my country.

Now, I wish that the whole world accepts my views and watch, my most ambitious film, Mr Prime Minister, which will be released on December 30, with a grand premiere in Ahmedabad. I will go on dreaming and producing daring subjects.

Have you finalised the star cast of Beauty Queen?
I have finalised a boy from a college in Mumbai, and two young girls — one from Nepal and another from England — to play the main leads in Beauty Queen. I intend announcing the cast only after Mr Prime Minister is released.