The one thing that Vidhu Vinod Chopra did was that he proved his point, that an Indian can write a script, produce and direct a Hollywood movie, with the style, class, story and cast, intact. Others who have had tried to do his before had inserted many Indian elements, with or without knowledge.
And yesterday, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, arrived at his Alma Mater, D.A.V. to be awarded by the president of DAV, Mr. Punam Suri. During his speech, he told the people present there about how, his education, and teachers played a big role in his building up in school and college days.
“When I displayed my desire to want to make films, as crazy at it sounded, my dad said, you can become anything, even a cobbler. But be the best cobbler of your area.
He narrated the story about how he wanted to go to Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and since he couldn’t because he didn’t have the money, he saved money to buy the prospectus for Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, which cost him 2 pounds. He used to drive his inspiration looking at the prospectus.
After the release of Eklavya, Peter O’Tool called me to say that he had seen the movie and had liked it. He had also invited me when I was in London, for dinner. Post diner we went for a walk and he showed me his picture at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
On the occasion, he said, “In all my movies, whether it was Parinda, 1942: A Love Story, Munnabhai MMBs or PK, I have tried to say something through the movie.”
He urged the teachers, present to understand how big a role they play in the development of an individual.
Talking ABOUT HIS LATEST MOVIE Broken horses and on the occasion of world autism awareness day, he said, “One of my characters in the movie, Buddy is gifted. And I want everyone to understand that they are gifted. As children, we are innocent and with time we lose the innocence. People who are autistic are gifted not to lose their innocence. We are the ones with problems. They aren’t.”
On censorship, he urged the censor board to let things go naturally and not to sencor words and put disclaimers of smoking as happened in his movie Broken Horses.
Broken Horses is set to release this Friday in Theatres.
