Rajkumar Santoshi has said that he did not want to cast his daughter Tanisha Santoshi for his new film Gandhi Aur Godse Ek Yudh, but was later convinced when he insisted on auditioning for a role. In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, Rajkumar Santoshi talks about Gandhi Aur Godse Ek Yudh, Tanisha’s debut, Battle of Saragarhi and more. (Also Read: Rajkumar Santoshi ‘scared’ if CBFC passes Gandhi Godse Ek Yudh)
Asked about launching his daughter Tanisha Santoshi with the film, Rajkumar said, “It’s not the right phrase, I’m not launching it. (Making her debut). Yes. The film is about the ideologies of Gandhi and Gonse, the story revolves around them, they are the stars and the main attraction. If you look at it, it’s not even there on any of the posters. He plays an interesting role that has scope for good drama.”
He added: “Actually, when he asked to be a part of the film, I wanted to avoid it. I didn’t like the idea of directing my daughter on the sets, I didn’t have the patience. Lekin wo zid kar gai, usne kaha ek mauka diya jaaye chahe audition lelo (She insisted that she should be given a chance and wanted to give an audition). Then I was like “okay”. I am happy that a girl from her generation wanted to be a part of a film like this. Girls her age want to work with big heroes and do the song and dance routine. They are rarely interested in de-glam roles like hers in the film. This is a serious issue and even she thought it was an issue that needed to be discussed, she just wanted to be a part of this important issue.”
Asked if there is a film from his filmography that he would like to remake or make a sequel to, Rajkumar said, “I don’t believe in sequels or remakes. Once it’s done, it’s done with. Maybe, if I find a story like, say, the Mahabharata, that can’t be done in three hours. So, it will be piecemeal. Other than that, there is no such thing as a sequel. People often ask me to cover Andaz Apna Apna, but I tell them “I can’t do it again. I can do another film in the same genre maybe, but it won’t be Andaz Apna Apna.”
He added, “Two young male stars with two young female stars. I have even spoken to stars and they have told me that they want to do a film like Andaz Apna Apna. I have been working on the subject and the title I have kept is Ada Apni Apni. In fact, I will announce the film by the end of the year. People keep talking about the remake of Andaz Apna Apna, but I’m done with it. I make Ada Apni Apni. Maybe it will be better than Andaz Apna Apna, I don’t want to make Andaz Apna Apna a benchmark.”
Gandhi Aur Godse Ek Yudh is Rajkumar’s directorial venture after 10 years – his last outing was Phata Poster Nikla Hero in 2013. Asked about returning to directing after a long time, the director said, “I tried to make a film – Battle of Saragarhi – but this could not be completed due to some reason. Actually, we worked hard on it for two and a half or three years. We spent a lot of money as well as time, but (it had to stop). I will make this film next year. I have (a lot of love) for the Sikhs and it’s an important story.”
Explaining why he decided to make a film on Gandhi and Godse, Rajkumar said, “I was working on another project of Asghar Wajahat sir and he gave me [email protected] to read it. I found it worthy of the cinema, although it did not. I think Godse had shared his word, because he killed Gandhi.”
“And his voice was muffled. In fact, only a few years ago (the book quoting Godse’s statement) was legally available in the country. I think it was wrong. Similarly, there are many allegations about Mahatma Gandhi and he has not clarified many of them. I hope people can understand both Gandhi and Gandhi better after watching my film. Just like Gandhi, I support discussions and debates. Maybe people can discuss, discuss and then come to the right conclusion after they see my film,” he added.
The director also said that he was conscious that the film should not take any side of the debate and present it as fair from both sides. “We were very conscious of not hurting anyone’s feelings. Even when we were writing scenes, we (Asgar and Rajkumar) used to check each other and correct if it was biased towards one side… we didn’t want to take one side and I think we succeeded.”
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