Bollywood director Sudhir Mishra is on cloud nine. His latest film, ‘Yeh Saali Zindagi’, has been getting rave reviews. But not one to rest on his laurels, Mishra is excited about his next film, ‘Dhruv’ starring Kareena Kapoor, Farhan Aktar and Chitrangada Singh. He’s also busy shooting for ‘Tera Kya Hoga Johnny’ slated for release this April.
But thanks to the leak of a few scenes from the TKHJ last month, he was mum about the details of both films. “Every action does not necessarily have an equal and opposite reaction,” explains Mishra. “Newton’s Laws of Motion do not apply to the film industry any more. The trends have changed drastically over the years.”
He says he understands the change in trends and adds, “A big budget or a big star cast cannot guarantee a hit. No more mechanical or the A+B = C kind of clichéd assumptions.”
Mishra prefers to call himself the son of a mathematician, DN Mishra.
“I owe it all to my father who introduced me to the world of cinema when he set up the Lucknow Film Society. I’m one of its founder member.”
Does his political background influence his films?
“Yes, of course! Dwarka Prasad Mishra, the former CM of Madhya Pradesh, was my maternal grandfather. Hailing from such a background, I understand political equations,” he says. “But, as I said before, I’m a mathematician’s son.”
Other than the gritty screenplays, one of the USPs of Mishra’s films have also been the titles — ‘Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi’, ‘Main Zinda Hoon’, ‘Dharavi’ and ‘Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin’.
“I set the title depending on the story and screenplay. I don’t like to name my films after a character or the protagonist,” he says. “‘Yeh Saali Zindagi’, for instance, did strike a chord with the audiences. Though its an exclamation of frustration (This bloody life), the film revolves around love.”
He is all praise for Chitrangada Singh whom he wants to cast in ‘Dhruv’ as well. “She’s an excellent actress and has fit all the characters I’ve made her play. I hope she agrees to play a part in my next film,” he says.
