National and Filmfare award winning filmmaker Kamal Swaroop has been a part of Oscar winning movie Gandhi and Oscar nominated movie Salaam Bombay. He has created several feature and documentary films like Om-Dar-Ba-dar, Rangbhoomi, Pushkar Puran and The battle of Banaras among others.
Swaroop was in the city to attend the Indian Documentary film Festival, where his movie Rangbhoomi was screened. On a brief interaction with Orissa POST, he shared his experience, challenges and future plans. Excerpts:
What does the movie Rangbhoomi entail?
I am working on Dadasaheb Phalke’s life and career since the 90’s. I have authored A Journey Tracing Phalke and directed a documentary on Phalke’s children. In association with Indian Foundation of Arts, I had conducted workshops on Phalke in all the cities that he has worked in such as Nasik, Kolhapur, Pune, Mumbai Baroda etc. Varanasi had a special place in Phalke’s life as he lived there after his retirement. Rangbhoomi traces the two years (1920-1922) of his life in Varanasi.
How do you see Phalke’s legacy in today’s time?
He initiated filmmaking in the country and turned it into a commercial platform. This has metamorphosed into a huge industry at present. Even Thomas Edison and Lumière brothers (Auguste and Louis), who were among the first filmmakers of the world, had not realized the commercial aspect of cinema. His movie Lanka Dahan in 1917 was a big success at the time.
Many of your films were stopped from screening by Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)? How do you see their role in Indian cinema?
It is unfortunate that my movies were stopped from screening. However, I was never irritated by this. I always tried fight for it legally. I don’t like it when these things are politicized. I never made any movie with any commercial intention. I prioritise good content and sufficient funds. You can say that I am less ambitious.
Which is more challenging among documentary and feature films?
Making documentaries is comfortable for me due to years of research. Feature films take longer to be completed due to the presence of fiction elements. My writings and choice of movies is different to my contemporaries. As a result, sometimes, producers reject my stories as they hunt for commercially viable projects.
What is your opinion on experimental movies which are seen a lot these days?
Independent movies struggle a lot, especially in the Hindi film industry. Well marketed movies or those with a star-studded cast like Newton will always beat the lesser known movies. Movies such as Ankhon Dekhi starring Sanjay Mishra and directed by Rajat Kapoor did not earn enough despite receiving critical acclaim and awards.
What are your upcoming movies?
Currently, I am busy collecting funds for some movies that I have planned. I am also in talks with Netflix for a series on Dadasaheb Phalke. I am also working on a movie script Omnium for some time now. I’m also working on a non-fiction film on Kashmir. It’s about 19 January 1990, the night when the Pandits left Kashmir.
Arindam Ganguly, OP