Indian cinema shouldn't be remembered just for Salman films: Naseeruddin
What's the story
Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah believes cinema serves as a record of times and he would not want the audience to look back at 2018 as the phase of only one kind of cinema, case in point "Salman Khan films".
Shah emphasizes cinema is for posterity and hence he takes it as his responsibility to do as many socially relevant films as possible.
Here's more.
Purpose
Cinema can't change society or bring a revolution: Shah
"I feel that cinema can't change society or bring a revolution. I'm also not sure of cinema as a medium of education... The only serious function Films can serve is to act as a record of their times," Shah said in an interview.
He says it's for this reason he chose to work in movies like 'A Wednesday' or his recent short-film, 'Rogan Josh'.
Shah hits out
'People shouldn't end up seeing only Salman's films 200yrs later'
Shah further said, "All my serious works are a representative of their times. Cinema will survive. These films would be seen 200 years later."
He added that people should know what the India of 2018 was like.
"They shouldn't end up seeing only Salman Khan films 200 years later. India is not like that. Cinema is for posterity," the 68-year-old veteran actor adds.
Premise
'Rogan Josh' portrays a chef's family's experience during 26/11 attacks
Shah's recent short film 'Rogan Josh' is set in the aftermath of 26/11 attacks.
Directed by Sanjeev Vig, it features Shah as a celebrated chef at The Taj Hotels who invites his family and friends home for dinner to celebrate his birthday, where they share their experiences during and after the attack while questioning the quality of their existence after the life-changing event.
Information
'Rogan Josh' was screened at MAMI Festival this year
'Rogan Josh', by Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films, was screened at the 20th edition of Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. It also features Shishir Sharma, Avantika Akerkar, Bhuvan Arora, Shriswara. Vig worked as an associate director for movies like 'Naam Shabana' among others.
Preference
Shah likes working with people who makes socially relevant films
Shah, who has won three National Film Awards, says he's always keen to work with young people who're struggling to make what they believe in.
"If there's a young man trying to make a song-dance film, I wouldn't give him a second. But here was a young man (Vig) trying to make a film on a subject he believes should be made," he said.
Experience
Shah has never regretted working with first-timers
The actor, who has worked in a couple of short films, says the medium is absolutely liberating for budding filmmakers and that he loves working with first-timers.
"I have done so many films with first-timers, and I've never regretted it," Shah says.
He added that they have the freedom to make the kind of film they want without the worry of the box office.