Interview: Vikramaditya Motwane on Trapped, Aamir, Salman, Rajkumar Hirani and more!

Post Lootera, Vikramaditya Motwane started working on two scripts i.e. Bhavesh Joshi and AK vs SK. While the later has been shelved, the director is currently shooting for Bhavesh Joshi with Harshvardhan Kapoor.

Amidst the two films, Motwane came across an interesting script titled ‘Trapped’ which he shot in merely 20 days. The idea of directing a film with just one character got Motwane all charged up and he believes that the film will find its audience in cinema halls.

The director in a conversation with us spoke about the film and much more.

How did Trapped happen?

I was working on Bhavesh Joshi since last 4 years but it didn’t happen so I put it on hold and started working on another film called AK vs SK. Even that film didn’t get made and in the meanwhile this little script came my way. I was developing it side by side and the idea was really exciting. I quietly and quickly finished shooting for this film.

Is it upsetting for you thinking that AK vs SK might never see day of light?

Yes, it does upset me but that’s a natural human emotion. Time is the most important commodity in a person’s life and I had given a lot of time for AK vs SK, but sadly it didn’t work out. It hurts but I think may be because I had enough rejections in the past, it takes me quicker to get over it and move on to the next.

The trailer of Trapped gives away the entire story. Was it a conscious attempt on your part to do so?

I wanted the trailer to be clutter breaking and not the typical stereotypical trailer. I wanted people to get invested in the opening scene rather than just wonder as to what is happening. We didn’t want to give them a chance to say ‘this is a trailer’. No, this isn’t a trailer, it is a scene.

Do you think the high ticket pricing at multiplexes is having a negative impact on independent Bollywood films?

I think it is not a very good scenario for the Independent films not just because of big Bollywood films but also because of Hollywood. People know that a big film would ensure ‘Paisa Vasool’ entertainment so they don’t mind spending Rs 350 or Rs 450 on a film ticket. The independent films are definitely suffering. We need to figure out a way where the ticket prices can come down and a strategy wherein such films can have a longer run in cinema hall because by the time word of mouth spreads, the film is out of theatres.

What is your take on commercial Hindi cinema?

The gap between commercial and independent cinema are narrowing a little bit. The kind of story line Dangal had is a perfect example. For that matter even Sultan. Salman Khan playing an aging wrestler is a big thing; people would have laughed five year ago if someone said ‘Salman will play an aging wrester in this film’. Even Aamir Khan playing the role of a father in Dangal is just inconceivable. If we look at things that have happened in last couple of years, things have changed for better.

Do you ever plan to make a commercial film?

I don’t remember the last time I went and saw a film which was typical Anees Bazmeeish kind of film. I don’t even remember the last time when someone recommended me such kind of a film and I can’t even connect to them. I think Rajkumar Hirani has become a commercial benchmark and everyone loves those kinds of film. I would love to get myself associated with such kind of cinema.

What is your take on the kind of cinema senior actors are associating them with?

I think all the senior most actors are doing good work. Salman, Shah Rukh, Akshay and Aamir are not shying away from experimenting. I think Hrithik can do a bit better but I am sure even he would eventually be back. Even young actors like Ranbir and Ranveer are balancing their career really well.

Don’t you think we are losing out on a major chunk of audience by making metro centric film?

Bhai (Salman Khan) is there for them. That cinema is not going to change. As long as you make films about heroes and villains, the tier 2 and tier 3 audiences will be served with their brand of cinema. Hindi cinema doesn’t have to be the flag bearer to reach out to everybody as the regional industry is also doing very well individually. It is great to make films reaching out to all, but that shouldn’t be the only vision.