I’m still learning: Rakeysh OmPrakash Mehra

Filmmaker Rakeysh OmPrakash Mehra talks to PT about the expectations from his new film, and the kind of cinema he is looking forward to make.
His debut film, Aks, might not have been a box-office scorcher, but it definitely proved his mettle. And, with the success of Rang De Basanti, he proved that he is not your run-of-the-mill filmmaker. Rakeysh OmPrakash Mehra is back with his new film, which features Waheeda Rahman, Rishi Kapoor, Om Puri, Atul Kulkarni, Pavan Malhotra, and of course, the lead pair ��� Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor.
Expectations are high, but the director is cool. ���It is something that is bound to happen. It is part and parcel of my job. But, RDB and this film are quite different. They are as similar as apples and oranges. The story of the film deals with today���s times. It is a romantic family drama, though it is not meant to target any particular audience,��� says he.
There���s talk that the main plot is inspired by Mehra���s own experiences in Chandni Chowk, the famous walled city of Delhi. The director agrees,
���This film does take me down memory lane. I have pulled out people and their experiences and put it in the film.��� The title of the film also indicates that it is a story about six people. The filmmaker clears the air. ���The movie takes place in Old Delhi in Chandni Chowk. If India shrunk into a small town, then it would fit in Chandni Chowk. The locals there refer to the pin code as Delhi-6. It is a microcosm of India.���
Moving on to the star cast, he says that he always had Abhishek in mind for the lead role. ���I gave him the script seven years ago! As for the heroine, I was looking for someone fresh. Sonam���s personality fits the character, and she was able to really get into the skin of the character. Other than them, we have a host of talented actors. This is not a plot-oriented film. It is like a fabric. Every character is a thread; some are dull, some bright. Some are cotton and others are wool. But, they all come together to make a single cloth.���
The director says he is very particular when it comes to casting actors for his films. ���It is the content that is the main hero. One should cast correctly and sincerely. I always see which actor fits the role and then decide upon them, not vice versa.���
With three films already in the bag, does Rakeysh see himself growing as a director? ���I hope so,��� he replies. ���Otherwise there is no point of directing. You need to grow internally and externally. You need to raise the bar every time. This film was a far more difficult movie to make than RDB. I���ve learnt a lot and I���m still learning.���
What about future projects? ���I���ll wait for the response to this film first. I would like to start on another film only after I���ve garnered reviews from the audience. But, I have a great desire to do a romantic film. That is one genre I haven���t tackled as yet. I���m dying to make an action, a thriller, perhaps a musical as well. I would love to make an animation film. But, for now, romance is probably the next genre I will work on. I have slowly found my own style, my own voice in filmmaking, and I think I am all ready to handle romance now.���
So, romance it is! But, we are sure that whatever genre he tackles, the chances of the audience backing it up will be really high.