-Hey! -Hi!
Hi!
How are you?
Oh my God! What are you going to do there?
What were we supposed to do?
-We have to walk the red carpet. -Okay.
Look at my shoes!
Oh my God! Those are lovely!
We will change into new clothes.
-We will change. -Yes. Okay.
We will get ready now.
Oh, God!
Shall I wear a hat as well?
Look at the minced mutton prepared by me.
Where are you going tonight?
Tonight is the premiere night.
I thought of cooking now as I will be late tonight.
I want to feast on mutton tonight after the premiere.
Did you have an apple?
No. You may have it.
I will have alcohol now.
And then I will leave.
That's when I will enjoy.
Your routine will be a bit changed today.
You generally drink in evenings, right?
But today is a big day for me.
You should drink alcohol when you're happy as well as sad.
Today is a happy day for me.
I definitely need a peg.
History had now come to a halt.
And the wait has finally come to an end now.
The era of those movies will bounce back.
SHANTI BASERA
MISTRESS TURNS INTO A WITCH
-Glammy-glammy! -Amazing!
We worked really hard for this film.
I am really excited to see the end product.
MISTRESS TURNS INTO WITCH
-All the people present here -Yes.
were kids when we had
-already entered the industry. -Correct.
Kishan Shah and…
-J Neelam. -J Neelam and…
Gulati…
-Ashok Gulati. -Yeah.
-Dilip Gulati. -Oh-- Who is Ashok Gulati?
These people always wished for this
but their dream never came true.
But it's today that their dream will finally get fulfilled.
I don't know if they will be able to sleep tonight or not.
They won't be able to sleep because of happiness.
Working with people from your batch
is a different emotion altogether.
You have this emotion in you and you realize it only when you meet them
and you feel that you miss that person.
-"I miss this person!" -Yes!
This is what I have felt today.
The fame I have earned today
Will soon be lost
I want the time to stop right away
Those beautiful eyes
Are looking away
I want the time to stop right away
You were unfaithful to me
Why are you troubling me more?
This evening is…
SHANTI BASERA
I kept calling out to you
I tried to control my feelings
I kept calling out to you
I tried to control my feelings
When you aren't with me
How will I control my feelings?
The fame I have earned today
Will soon be lost
I want the time to stop right away
Those beautiful eyes
Are looking away
I want the time to stop right away
You were unfaithful to me
Why are you troubling me more?
This evening is…
I think it is better to not call them as B-grade or C-grade films
because they had to face certain restrictions but we don't.
Had they been still making movies,
they would have been able to explore and make different kinds of films.
But they were honest people with great integrity.
But when you see their films, you realize that eventually they are filmmakers.
This evening is…
Let's not delay anymore.
-We are all here for cinema! -Yes.
I think I will start with that.
All of you had to face different problems and difficulties in life.
You faced some obstacles which you don't have a control on.
-Sometimes you had to make a choice. -Beyond control.
It's beyond control.
That era had a lot of contemporaries.
Things were pretty different then. How do you feel about the ones
who are not working versus the ones who are still working?
Would you like to talk about that?
It was an era where you could make
any kind of movies and it would work.
-It would work well. -Really?
The movies just needed some spice to it.
-I agree with you. -But people in those times
wanted extra spice in it.
There were many people making movies,
like be it your brother or even this man right here,
so did you never think of collaborating with any director?
-Did you never exchange ideas? -We didn't have the time for it.
-Okay. -We were too busy with work.
We didn't even meet each other
-Yes. -from 1998 to 2000.
We didn't even stay home.
We would keep shooting.
I would start working on the
-next time right after-- -But why would you do that?
You can say that
-it was the peak time for us. -You were doing it
-as you were -We were time bound and
-earning well during that time. -hence we concentrated on making movies.
-You knew this would happen? Okay. -No!
I didn't know about it but it was maybe in 2002 or 2003 that…
-It was in 2004. -it--
Corporate filmmaking started by then.
I had made two movies during that time.
Two Piece and Hunger.
The corporate filmmaking
-ruined my business. -What ruined your business?
-Covid? -Corporate.
-Corporate.
-Corporate? -Yes!
-That was an end to this phase. -Yes.
We had to stop making such movies.
Who were the other famous directors during that time?
-There were many directors -No.
-like Kanti Shah, Sinamika… -There weren't many known directors.
Basically, they--
-There was Neetu, me-- -Chandni, Kanti Shah, myself,
Neelam and Mr. Gulati were amongst the famous directors.
Actually…
-Can I say something? -Yes, absolutely.
So…
-it was because of these guys that-- -Your career was ruined.
-Don't mind my words. -That's alright. Please go ahead.
These people were making movies in six to seven days.
Directors like me, Mohan Bhakri
or Ramsay Brothers were also into filmmaking.
We used to take around 35 to 40 days to make a film
and it was because we produced
-a better quality film. -You would put extra efforts on it.
Yes, I hope you got it.
The distributor would come to me saying
that Kanti Shah is selling his film for 2.5 lakh rupees.
And I would ask them to go ahead with the offer
as I would not change the rate of the film.
But when I made my last movie, Bloody Fist…
I realized that I had to stop making movies.
Why?
It's because the demand for movies made in six days had increased.
-Absolutely not! I don't agree with you. -Wait a minute. You might be right.
No, I don't agree that there was a downfall in their business.
There were some directors
who didn't know what kind of movies to make.
Like you gave up on making movies as you couldn't match with us.
-We didn't ruin your business. -Of-course.
-You see that-- -This was your thinking, Mr. Vinod.
But we were just doing our job.
We had a good business and we were managing our families as well.
-So we were also-- -But he is talking about creativity.
There was a lot of creativity in our films. Why don't you watch one?
He is not talking about the business but the creativity.
You should watch our films and
-not the extra portions. -Okay.
You can also watch the films of the directors of the same time.
You can judge our movies on the basis of technicality,
creativity and also the story…
You're trying to say that even if you had to adapt to things,
but both of you believe that
you have never compromised on the creativity of the film.
-Never! -I don't agree too.
-Absolutely not. -Not even a percent?
I had a very bad time in 2000 and 2001.
I was too frustrated.
And I was thinking of leaving the industry.
It's because these distributors
wanted something which included the extra portions.
-Ultimately I had to… -Didn't these guys make films?
-I had to shift -They didn't make movies.
-to Gujarati and regional cinemas. -Why didn't they make movies?
-It wasn't great. -But…
Who said that?
But no one ever stopped you from making films.
You could have continued making--
-Yes, I continued. -But their movies were in demand.
-Because this is-- -Listen to me, Mr. Dilip.
-I went through a bad phase-- -I am not ashamed to say that
-Because-- -I used to make these movies
and I am here today because of my hardwork.
There was a bold song in the film Unmarried Bride.
The movie is about the unmarried bride.
That movie was full of sex.
-Kishan and all were-- -Totally!
Absolutely!
I was the first one to shoot a bold song.
Then it was Satnam
-and then you also made a song. -I don't remember it.
-You have made a song-- -No, I haven't!
I think you don't remember your own song.
-I have never done it. -I know it well.
And that's how we started showing bold scenes in our films.
If our movie is of around two hours and more,
then we would include five different bold scenes in it.
-It would be according to the situation. -Correct.
We would then make bolder movies.
We would leave it to the distributors
if they want our film or not.
But such movies were high in demand.
-You had to shoot in two ways. -Yes, we had to do it.
There was a high demand for such movies.
Let me tell you something.
Nowadays when you deliver your film,
you will deliver either print with publicity, or print with promo,
or maybe a teaser or something else with the print.
-You can think whatever you want to. -You didn't listen to me properly.
-We did make the bold scenes -Yes.
but left the decision to the distributors.
-Yes, they could make the choice. -Yes, absolutely!
But many distributors demanded it in that era.
We were just fulfilling the demands.
-The business was growing. -We were doing it.
-We were doing great. -The business was great.
But later there came some directors who did a really bad job at directing.
I mean to say that they did ruin our business
-but later ruined theirs too. -You mean to say--
I agree with her.
Neither did they make good films
-nor did they let us make one. -Correct.
-Correct. But then they were the ones -But it was because--
-who crossed all the boundaries. -Yes, they did.
They tried to ruin your business and that was the end of it.
Yes, sir.
That was quite a bold topic to discuss.
I always consider that there can't be
anything better than a premiere for a creative person
because your friends, family and the audience get to watch it.
It's a mixed feeling because you want to know
if your family and friends will like it or not.
You want to know if the shot is looking nice.
You are reliving everything with the audience!
As soon as the light goes off,
and the projector starts rolling, that's when you will be able to feel
if your film is going to the audience or not.
I have never come across such a situation.
I have never been to red carpets. This is my first time.
I have…
never been to any first day shoots…
or any premiere night.
But I watched my film…
-You were happy. -and was speechless.
I made movies with a less budget.
-And such movies would never be premiered. -Correct.
WRITER AND DIRECTOR DILIP GULATI
I recollected…
that my mother used to talk about Mughal-E-Azam premiere.
Oh!
And then I had an opportunity
to attend the premiere of Sholay.
I could recollect those two premieres.
What I noticed about this premiere was that
any films could earn up to 100 or 150 crores.
I found this larger than that.
Our film is like our child and
-we nurture them until they are ready. -Correct.
We developed and nurtured the child and did everything for him.
Why won't I be happy for this moment?
My wife felt really proud of me at the premiere.
It was because she was at the premiere
of the film which was
-made by her husband. -Correct.
She held my hand while walking down the red carpet
-Yes. -and I could sense it
-that she was proud of me. -That's it!
My mother lives exactly opposite to the Cinemax theater.
She has to just cross the road.
Okay.
I had to go and pick her for the premiere
and that moment…
was really special for me.
It was a memorable one.
It's a beautiful moment.
-It's a big thing for me. -Absolutely.
And I have missed a lot of things.
I mean I just heard the two of them and…
I missed my parents a lot.
My dad was really attached to me.
He knew that I would do great in life.
I was too attached to my family.
"How did I reach this level? How is she now?
And how did she manage to reach this stage?"
The journey of becoming J. Neelam…
was really…
I mean I really hoped my dad to witness this moment.
I am sure he must be looking at me from heaven.
He definitely is watching you.
I missed that a lot.
-When I came to the set… -Yes.
I consider Kishan as my elder brother.
I hugged him tightly.
I hugged him and touched his feet.
I wanted an elder person…
to be with me.
80 percent of the industry addresses me as an elder sister…
around 15 percent would…
address me as a mother
and the rest five percent just flirts with me.
-But no one like your dad-- -Five percent of people would flirt…
But there was no one who
could bless me like my father did.
That's what I missed the most.
I can understand what you're going through.
Actually, I can…
-I mean-- -connect with you on this.
Maybe our lives are very different…
In my case, I get angry…
only with the ones I love.
If I get angry on someone at the set,
it's only because I consider the set as my home.
Would you mind if I ask you a personal question?
Go ahead with it.
You must have felt the same when your first movie was released.
-When I heard her-- -He must have thought the same.
-We did talk about this. -I…
I didn't want to say it as this wasn't about me.
But you have gone through that phase.
Yes but I didn't want to talk about it.
But when you were talking about it, I remembered that…
My mother died 40 days before my first movie could be released and…
the saddest part was that, a month before mother got cured as well.
The doctors said that she was out of cancer.
So, I hoped that she would
-be able to watch my film. -I agree.
I went to Mr. Adi and I remember the trailer was out during that time.
I did show her the trailer but she told me
that she would watch the movie once she is better.
And that I will show her the movie on the big screen.
I really hoped that if
-she sees her son on big screen… -She'd be happy.
She'd be happy but I wanted her to see it on the big screen and not
a mere trailer.
But anyway, whatever God had in store, I…
We now come to an end to the question and answer session.
-Thank you. -And I enjoyed a lot with you guys.
Thank you for answering my questions.
I am happy that you guys did have arguments and opinions.
I got to know a lot about your era and also the films you make.
I thought I am a very passionate person.
But now I know that there are more passionate people than me.
-I enjoyed a lot. -No.
-Thank you. -Thank you for having me.
-Thank you for talking your heart out. -Thank you.
Thank you.
You take the car. I will go by auto. I have some work. Okay?
-Bye. -Where are you going?
We're having party tonight.
We're having a party.
We're going to the Navaratna Bar.
Now Ms. Suman will tell us her experience
-at the movie premiere. -Yes!
I was really proud of him.
I got really emotional to see his name on the screen.
-Wow! -Wow!
Honestly speaking, I have watched many award nights and red carpets.
But I have never attended an award night in these 40 years.
He always forced me to come along.
But I told him that I will go only when his or my children's movie is nominated.
-Wow. -This was the first time.
-Wow! -Look at sir's smile.
I have some friends and some brothers as well.
We all drink and enjoy our time together.
This is what makes me happy.
This is how I live my life.
And I am anyway working the rest of the day.
And that's how each day in my life is passing.
All I wish for is that…
even if I die someday, it should be in front of the camera.
I don't want anything else in life. I am content.
There's always one favorite among all the siblings.
A mother can never have two to three favorites.
And that too the youngest child is the pampered one.
And no matter what the elder one does, he'll always be the least favorite.
My mother still considers me a good-for-nothing.
After all, only a mother can say these things.
But I am happy to be living with my children.
I am happy and content.
I don't care about anybody else.
Even my mother stays with me.
I daily send food for my mother.
I am not worried about anything.
I know that she loves me as well.
It's just that she doesn't express it.
None of the mothers express it.
She will just praise Kanti in front of the world
and call the rest of us as idiots.
But even she knows the truth.
She feels bad as well.
MISTRESS TURNS INTO A WITCH
I just know one thing and that is…
I am there!
I just focus on myself.
I am important for myself.
The best thing was that my mother attended the premiere of my film.
She was the happiest at the premiere.
You know she thought that…
She accepted it but I didn't.
After attending the premiere, she accepted that
her son is a great director.
And secondly, my three children
are very happy with me.
Bhumika told me that…
"you're there, right?
You'll in that video, right?
It's a great platform for you."
My children are much more happy.
My mother is very happy.
My wife is… proud.
Listen to me, my beloved lover
You're right behind the camera
There are sprinkles of juice All over the thermocol mountains
Sprinkles of juice…
Listen to me, my beloved lover
You're right behind the camera
There are sprinkles of juice All over the thermocol mountains
Sprinkles of juice…
The path is lonely Leads you to the cemetery
The soul is quenching since 100 years
Look at the empty mansion
Hey, witch, where do you belong to?
Every corner is filled with vampires
You're the aunt of the witches
Come and play with my life
There is corona all over
There's a party at the graveyard
Give me the bloody martini
Here comes the cat to bite Meow! Meow! Meow!
Listen to me, my beloved lover
You're right behind the camera
There are sprinkles of juice All over the thermocol mountains
Sprinkles of juice…
Listen to me, my beloved lover
You're right behind the camera
There are sprinkles of juice All over the thermocol mountains
Sprinkles of juice…
Cut it!