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| Mahesh Bhatt with Pooja Bhatt |
Says papa Bhatt, "I was invited for the convention as I could quit drinking 18 years ago, on my own.
While addressing the audience, Pooja spoke beautifully about what it meant to have an alcoholic father around. Without getting self-conscious even once, she easily pulled out grey images from her memory bank. I thought it was a creative achievement for her."
In an interview to Go 92.5FM on Monday, Bhatt declared that Pooja has spoken to him about making a film on her life. We talked to Mahesh about his reaction, and his experience of making autobiographical films…
Do you support Pooja's decision to make an autobiographical film?
How can I not support her? I have always encouraged people to talk about their private lives without any inhibitions. I'll be the last person to step and prevent her from translating her experience into confessional cinema. Pooja has my fullest support in this endeavour. In fact, I would fan her need to exploit the autobiographical idiom of filmmaking.
Would you advise her to showcase her life on-screen?
After the event, I messaged her, 'Your movies should have the emotional resonance that your speech had,' and she completely agreed. It's only when you talk from the point where life has hurt you most, that the world finds relevance in it.
Should an autobiographical film be pretty — or must include the ugly parts as well?
I have always believed that life is untidy, and fiction is life made bearable. An autobiographical film should have the ugly events, but shouldn't be in your face, as the world can't deal with absolute truth. However, it depends on the individual filmmaker to push the bar.
Won't people from Pooja's past be offended about their portrayal in the film?
I'm not too sure if she's making the film. Right now, it's just an idea, but I hope she makes it. The plot can revolve around her childhood days and what it felt like to have an alcoholic filmmaker father. Or replay her teenage days, before she blossomed into a beautiful actress. I am sure it will be miles ahead of what we achieved with Daddy.
Ever regret making autobiographical films?
I have never regretted anything in my life. Any reflection that involves a re-edited past is an exercise in futility. There's a sense of great anguish and guilt in me when I recollect the earlier days of my life. But if I had to relive it, I would follow a similar path, as I don't regret it.
Do you think our audiences appreciate autobiographical films?
In my case, audiences loved Arth, Zakham and Janam. The bedrock of my films has always been confessional cinema. It's only when I have revealed my life's burns and indulged in bloodletting that I found my own voice. Also, any form of art is autobiographical.
The Darshan brothers, who are your maternal cousins, are upset with your portrayal of your mom. Comment.
It's the truth that had a discomforting impact on them. But that cannot stop me from living life on my own terms. I've spoken about my mother, who was a Muslim, and was not legally wedded to my father.
How can they conceal the truth? In the age of test-tube babies, it's stupid for anyone to carry baggage from the 17th century. The world has gracefully accepted my tale and I have nothing to complain about.
Any thoughts on Vikram's Bhatt's autobiographical film, Ankahee?
I'm looking forward to seeing Vikram's film based on his life.
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