August 11th, 2011
Prakash Jha: The caste system exists in India!
By Rachana Parekh
After exposing the ugly side of politics in Raajneeti, Prakash Jha has
made another powerful drama centred on reservation and caste system.
He talks about his new film and the issues it examines
Prakash Jha calls himself the observer and chronicler of current
times. Unlike others, he doesn't believe in frivolous films. His likes
his stories to be hard-hitting and poignant, yet entertaining.
Is Aarakshan a political film?
I don't think the film supports, contradicts or supplements any kind
of ideology. So probably it will not fall into the category of
politics. Education has the same value for every political party or
ideology. You can call it a social and issue based film. It is very
contemporary because it is a story about today. It is about every
child, every family and every aspiration, actually. We are all
concerned about the education of our children and the job that they
get.
The film focusses on certain sensitive issues. So, how did you balance
it to be something between a documentary and an entertainer?
That is a challenge and I have been trying to do that for a long time.
I am always scared of what I am doing in terms of a film and its
acceptance. I always keep myself alert that my narrative should get
communicated, like a nice drama. It should be an engaging story with
characters that the audience will relate to. This is a constant battle
that I have and I keep hoping that these stories will work.
Fortunately, they have so far; let's see now….
Have you tried to provide a solution to reservation and casteism in the film?
If through a wider and keener understanding, some kind of solution can
come, then we have tried to do that. We have tried to assimilate every
kind of feeling. We have tried to understand the equations that work
in a caste driven society. And we have tried to tell a story which is
kind of therapeutic. But we have not tried to preach a solution.
Do you think India can get rid of its casteism?
Eradication of caste from society is a difficult proposal in our
country. Whether it is religion or caste or gender bias, that's also
something of a paramount concern; these are things not easy to
eradicate. What we can do is create a more equitable society. And the
only thing that does that is a kind of economic affluence in every
kind of society. When there is little difference among different sets
of people, then there is more equality. When one part of the society
becomes very prosperous and has everything – like 'Shining India',
where very little of India is really shining – the difference
increases. To remove economic backwardness or backwardness due to
caste or gender, there has to be inclusive growth. Much easier said
than done, but it can only happen that way.
You received threat calls from some people for casting Saif Ali Khan
as a Dalit. Is the issue settled?
I hope that I have convinced them with my stance and they have
understood it. I can't change that Saif Ali Khan is playing a Dalit. I
told them a simple thing – they are imparting the same discrimination
on Saif that they have suffered for so many years.
Saif is an unlikely choice for the role. Why did you cast him?
You know, I have always felt that Saif is very good and underrated
actor. You don't know how much he is capable of. I wasn't
apprehensive, but Saif was. When I approached him to play the Dalit
character, he was quiet for a moment. It is not easy to convincingly
play it, because there is certain way of talking and a
distinctiveness, but Saif worked very hard on it. Except for the
moustache, I did not make any contribution to his performance. He is a
very hardworking, talented and serious actor.
Do you think cinema can transform the way society functions?
Cinema can definitely offer pointers on where we are going wrong or
whatever it is, because it brings to you in a capsule an issue, its
related human aspect and the emotional side of it. You can definitely
have your interpretation. Cinema has the capacity to offer pointers
and to bring about social revolution – it is definitely possible.
After all, somebody has to do it. But that, I think, requires
persistent persuasion like Gandhi or other social reformers who have
done it in the past.
Is there any other burning issue on which you would like to make a film?
It's not that I want a change. If something happens, I am trying to
observe it. Like right now, the issue of corruption has taken people's
imagination. So, definitely one sees what, how and why things are
happening. Why did Baba Ramdev jump the podium? It is very interesting
for me to observe. So maybe, eventually, if equations change, I will
probably come up with a story.
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