Amitabh: We have inherited casteism

Aarakshan, which releases August 12, brings together a formidable team Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Prateik, Manoj Bajpai, Hema Malini and Deepika Padukone led by filmmaker Prakash Jha. The film is a socio-political drama on India's policy of caste-based reservations in government jobs and educational institutions.

Bachchan, who plays a professor fighting against reservation in education, and director Jha tell Sonil Dedhia about the film.

Why a film on reservation?

Jha: We have tried to assimilate every kind of feeling. We have tried to understand the equation that works in a fast-paced society. We have tried to tell a story that is kind of therapeutic. If someone finds a solution it's good, but we have not tried to preach through the film.

Can it be called a political film?

Jha: It doesn't support, contradict or supplement any kind of ideology. It will probably not fall in the category of politics... We can call it a social or issue-based film, which is very contemporary because it is a story of any family in our country.

Has your opinion on reservation changed after this film?

Bachchan: I never had an opinion on reservation. I was born and brought up in a family that didn't believe in the caste system. I am very proud that I am the first bearer and the originator of the Bachchan name that was started by my father and had no caste reference.

My father Harivansh Rai Bachchan was the first person in the city of Allahabad to have undergone an inter-caste marriage; you know that my mother was a Sikh. When the question of my admission to school came up, he said he didn't want any caste to reflect in my name. Therefore, his pen name became my surname.

What insights did you get on reservation after working on the film?

Bachchan: I was not as conversant as Prakash was. I never paid attention to it, nor did I think about it. I never believed in it... I was just another citizen of this country. During the making of the film various aspects were convincingly and adequately explained to me. When Prakash narrated the script, I found that his research was so in depth that it opened my vision to a lot of things. 

Do you think we can ever eradicate castesim from India?

Bachchan: In the past many attempts have been made. It is something we have inherited. Our social structure has developed in such a way that we have to live with it.

Jha: Eradication of caste system from our society is a difficult proposal. What we can do is create an equitable society. There should be little or no difference between different parts of society.

Have you ever encountered reservation?

Bachchan: Yes, when I was contesting elections in 1984. A lot of people would come and tell me that this area belongs to a particular caste and so on, but I never believed in it.

I believe Mr Jha received threat calls over the issue of Saif Ali Khan playing a Dalit in the movie.

Jha: I have given my explanation to them and I am hoping that they agree with me. I told them that what they were trying to do to Saif was the kind of discrimination they had been going through for centuries, which is not right.

Why did you pick Saif for the role?

Jha: He is very talented. He is underrated and I have always liked him. I was surprised with the keenness and the intensity with which he worked on his character. He wanted to know about the whole system and his character. He is playing a Dalit and by the time we started shooting he was completely absorbed in his role. Apart from the moustache, I didn't have to work on his character.

This is the first time the two of you have worked together. How has the experience been?

Bachchan: I really went crazy after working with him. I have had a wonderful experience. The kind of environment and the discipline that he maintains on the sets is unbelievable. From a simple call sheet to the way a dialogue is said everything is so perfect.

Jha: I had an amazing time. Amitabh is an inspiration. At this age too he is so hungry for work. He is always ready and on time and fully alert, trying to give his best every time. Every day was a pleasure working with him. After the day's shoot would wrap up, he would give me a call in the night and ask, 'Do you think I did that scene properly? Are you sure?'

Mr Bachchan, tell us about your character in the film?

Bachchan: I am the principal of a private institute and since it is a private institute the question of reservation does not arise. My character is an idealist and wants to treat all castes and creeds with equality. He imparts education for free to those who cannot afford it. He tries to bring a balance. He believes that every capable person should get a chance to move forward.

Were you inspired by anyone to play your character?

Bachchan: No. This is the first issue-based film that I am working on. But yes, there are many things that I speak of in this film that I feel hold true in real life, too. I believe equal opportunity should be given to everyone. There is a part in the film when my character is giving an interview to a journalist. He says, 'In this country there are two Indias if we want equality in our society, then we need to remove the difference between them.'

Mr Bachchan, you have worked with Smita Patil (Namak Halal, Shakti). What is your take on her son Prateik, who is also in the film?

Bachchan: He is very natural in front of the camera. To be natural is one of the biggest tests for any actor.

Mr Jha, how do you strike a balance between making an issue-based film and not treating it as a documentary?

Jha: This is the biggest challenge and I have been fighting it for years. I have always tried to make my movies in such a way that the narrative is communicated, in a way that engages the audience with the story, in a way that they can relate to the characters. Fortunately, my movies have worked so far.

Your films are issue-based. Is there any particular reason for that?

Jha: A person is a part of society and he is moulded by it. I have always been fascinated by society. If you look at the society that I showcased in Damul it is completely different from what you will see in Aarakshan. To record these changes and understand them and present it to the audience is what I have been doing. It is a very exciting topic and I love making these films.

Does the film offer a solution to the issue of reservation?

Jha: It is not the question of a solution. It is the question of trying to understand the situation and present it emphatically. If we understand the problem and the symptoms and the pains we have been going through, the solution will come through understanding.