Prakash Jha: I would like to make a romantic film

Like the lead actor in his just-released film Satyagraha, Prakash Jha is just as happy with its box office response.

He claims that he has been able to convey his message across to the audience despite the sharp criticism the film has received from the critics.

In a brief interview with Sonil Dedhia, Jha defends his film and also talks about his upcoming projects.

People either love Satyagraha or hate it. Why do you think the film has generated such a strong response?

Yes, you are right, but that happens with any film.

Some critics thought that the message I was trying to convey was delivered while others thought it didn’t happen.

These reactions happen very often in the kind of films that I make because people have different expectations from them.

I have never claimed that I am trying to make great cinema. I have always taken cinema as a medium to express my opinions and take it to the audience.

At the end of the day, the audience has proved that they like the film. I am happy that the film is well received by the audience. 

A lot of people believe that your recent films lack clarity of thought because of which the execution of the plot suffers.

When it comes to clarity of thought or executing the story, you have your own opinion and I cannot argue about it. I have conveyed the message that I wanted to in the film.

There are lots of complex things that have been said and people have understood it. This can be an ongoing argument.  

There are renowned sociologists, who are writing articles about Satyagraha.

A journalist can never take sides and yet, Kareena Kapoor plays a journalist in the film, who takes part in the protest and gives one-sided opinions.

I completely disagree with you on this. She remains neutral, honest and true to her job.

Any journalist can take part in a protest. At the end of the day, she is a human being. She is just being a source of inspiration for other people. She does protest certain steps taken by Ajay’s character in the film.

You have always denied that the film is inspired by Anna Hazare, but there are lots of similarities...

(Interrupts) Just because the film is about an old and a young man it doesn’t mean that it is about Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal. 

I have been working on Satyagraha for the last three years, even before the whole movement started.

My films have never been issue-based rather they are emotional. If I don't have strong emotions in my stories, then I think nobody will watch them.

What next? It is rumoured that you are planning to make a sequel of Gangaajal and Rajneeti.

Gangaajal brand is with Ajay Devgn We share a good bond. I like him and he is a good actor and would surely work with him again. Both the films are in an advanced stage. I don’t know which one I will take first.

I might just make another film as I am working on a few things.

It’s been quite some time since you have made a romantic film.

I hope I can make a romantic film. I hope I get a good subject. I would love to make a film filled with romance.