How did you come up with the idea of doing a show on Big Pharma?
Ronnie (Screwvala, producer) and I have worked together on several films. We made Nobody Killed Jessica and Ghanchakkar together. We were thinking of doing something else and while we were talking, he came up with the idea of doing something on pharma. I’ve been reading up on this topic for a few weeks and thought it might be worth investigating. That’s where the list-making bug in the pharma world came from. Then we went to research and the first group of ideas that came to mind was to do something that he has been hearing or seeing in the hospital. There, my team of writers and I managed to create the concept of the Pill from the germ of
an idea.
Are you enjoying the long story-telling process?
This is the first time I have tried this, so it has been very difficult. The language of movies is different from the language of online movies. Of course, as a filmmaker, you learn from every attempt at storytelling. You learn a lot along the way. While making Pill, I learned a new grammar of filmmaking, which I can explore in a long way. This is another form of filmmaking grammar.
Are you eagerly looking for an opportunity to try your hand at a long form of storytelling?
No, I’ve been toying with the idea of trying a longer version for a while now. When the opportunity came, I was approached by several OTT platforms to pitch but honestly, I didn’t have a story to tell. I was also very busy writing and directing my own films. That’s why I took the time to make my first list. There was no topic that I thought would benefit from explaining this story. But when the topic of the Pill came to my mind, I thought that there was something in this story that I wanted to say. And that’s how I thought to tell this story.
What do you enjoy about a lesson? When do you think this is worth spending my time and money on?
I can create stories in and around a topic. The story should be fun, interesting and thought-provoking. It should also give the audience a glimpse of themselves along the way. Entertainment should also be interesting.
Nobody Killed Jessica, India’s Most Wanted Pill and Now. You are naturally drawn to the pleasures of exploration.
I think if you look at my films, there are dramas, entertainment and films of many genres and subgenres. Aamir, my first film, was different. Nobody Killed Jessica was also very interesting, then Ghanchakkar was very different. It didn’t take direct inspiration from real life, it was a dark comedy. Even Raid had drama, humor and fun. I go by what I feel based on the story I want to tell. I don’t choose a subject because it is inspiring. They should have opportunities to engage in interesting and fun activities, too. I look at topics from the quality of their story, not what comes naturally to my mind. If I chose education based on instinct, I thought that I would be self-disciplined as a filmmaker.
Since Aamir and Nobody Killed Jessica, which was made ten years ago, how have you seen the landscape of filmmaking change?
When I made those films, they were unique and directed by women, which was rare at that time. Now, with different platforms, you can explore different genres and courses. The secret has always been telling a good story.
Usually, Hindi filmmakers look to South movies for inspiration, but you are one of those Hindi filmmakers whose movies are also made in the South. How do you see this?
Yes, southern filmmakers also made my films for me. Aamir was changed to Aal in Tamil, Raid was also changed to Mr Bachchan in Telugu. I am glad that the stories I found so effective have also connected with filmmakers and people from other languages. Designing your videos for a diverse audience is sure to make for a great story type.
Do you think the key to your success is the time you devote to writing?
Absolutely. Spending time with the script is important. Real writers have to settle into their stories, rehearsing until they make sense. The first preparation is not enough; it is a continuous improvement process. Sometimes I get to the 10th mark of a story and realize I’m 90 percent there. But sometimes I feel that it is not good. It is important for the writer to finish his work and leave it, walk away, distance himself from the temporary planning and do other things. Then, when you exit the area, go back and review your notes and you will find new and important information. When you come back, you have to ask yourself, is this script reading as I thought.
Do young writers today rush their work?
Great writers understand the importance of taking time with their writing. Each draft should be better than the last, and it is important to remove and review your work. That has been my plan. I have never rushed to start shooting a script because the second or third time has been satisfactory. Every piece of writing or visualization needs a certain amount of time to be perfect. New writers must cultivate patience to see if their thoughts and ideas emerge over time.
You have the ability to spot and develop young talent. Amar Kaushik, who shot to fame with Stree 2 and Bhediya, made a short film called Abba, in 2017. What do you think of the new legend?
I’m a creative person, I make films but I’m a writer-director first. I try to give the best guidance to my assistants, giving them the freedom to participate in the creative process. Many have gone on to direct their own films, and I feel blessed to have been part of their journeys. When Amar first came to me with the Abba script, my first reaction was, ‘Please go ahead and make this film’. I always try to get my friends and collaborators to be a part of writing and commenting on my writing. Developing new talent is important.
What’s next? You have reunited with Ajay Devgn in Raid 2.
Yes, I am currently finishing up Raid 2, which is slated to release in February 2025. It is great to meet Ajay and Riteish Deshmukh again. We’ll talk more as we get closer to release.
Should we expect long stories from you? You have a talent for it.
Thank you. I need to find a story that inspires me, so let’s see what my next project will be.
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