By IANS
New Delhi : One makes his films in Hollywood, the other in Bollywood. But both Jagmohan Mundhra and Sudhir Mishra say they want a future where the director and the script should be the boss, not the stars.
“I hope the writer and the director become the stars in 2025. Right now, it’s the actors and studios,” said Mishra.
The two filmmakers were speaking on the topic “creative power – who holds it?” at a two-day summit on entertainment and media organised by the industry lobby Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham).
“When corporate houses entered the filmmaking business it was my hope that these companies will provide money for incubation for good ideas. They will think the script is important than the star. Unfortunately, that is not happening,” said Mundhra.
“They are trying to manipulate the stock market. There are announcements coming every day that they have signed such and such stars for many millions for so many films to hike their stock prices,” added the director, who unveiled the first promo of his film “Shoot at Sight”.
“My film ‘Provoked’ worked in India because it had Aishwarya Rai. But major part of the revenue came from other countries.
“I don’t hear any stories about they (corporate houses) acquiring so many stories, writers to create content. In fact, first they sign the star and then look around for scripts that will suit the star.
“And the stars have the right to select what they would want to be in the film. It is really the wrong way. Somebody will have to change it. May be market forces will change it. So, I agree with Sudhir that it should be the writer and the director who should be the star,” said Mundhra.
Mishra said: “Everybody says that the director runs the show and those who pretend otherwise are lying. The star calls the director, shows the DVD and thus the films are made.”
However, Mishra, whose recently released “Khoya Khoya Chand” wasn’t received well at the box office, sees a ray of hope in digital technology.
“I think technology will unleash a lot of creativity. Good changes are coming. In 2025 perhaps animation will be king, technology will be different and Internet will me more organised. I hope the star system is demolished.
The other positive he sees is some thinking minds associated with the corporate houses who are recognising good content.
“Without taking names I am glad to say that there are a few people in corporate houses who are noticing the change and a creative person is taking the call. He is deciding on good scripts. It is quite interesting. I would say that all the corporate houses should do the same because they don’t know from where they will get the market.”