28 July,2009 08:13 AM IST | | Anshuman G Dutta
Says filmmaker JP Dutta, as he pays tribute to our brave jawans, who he says, are his inspiration
Kargil war heroes are in news. While the country remembers the young men who lost their lives a decade ago, Bollywood's Ridley Scott, filmmaker JP Dutta, called up the MiD DAY office to applaud our efforts.
In a candid email chat, the director of acclaimed war movies like Border and LOC Kargil said the brave jawans deployed at the country's borders are his inspiration. However, he feels the best war movie will be the one that will see the end of all wars.
War movies generally need bigger budgets than romantic flicks. Also, they don't always guarantee high returns. So what keeps you going?u00a0
He (our soldier) keeps my family and me safe in our home. Making a film on what he does for us is the least I can do for him. He is my inspiration and it's to him that I dedicate my films.
Patriotic views: JP Dutta says the industry supports his war movies
Does the industry support you when you plan war movies with several star actors?u00a0
Actors like Sanjay Dutt have always been my support system. They believe and share my vision and feel proud of our armed forces.
The youth today is interested in fat pay packets rather than the state of the nation. Do you think there is an appreciative audience for your kind of movie?
Compare the high salary a young corporate draws to that of a jawan standing guard at Siachen or the desert. I reflect his life in my films. And I think there is an audience for all genres.
Critics complain that jingoism replaces patriotism in your movies. Do you think that is a fair assessment?u00a0
Who are these critics? Never heard of them. I am sure they know the difference between films based on fictional subjects and those based on historical facts. I have dealt with history in both Border and LOC Kargil and they were both docu-dramas. So are the critics trying to say that our history is jingoism?
You have been referred to as the Ridley Scott of Bollywood. Do you take this as a compliment?u00a0
Of course it's a compliment! Sir Ridley Scott is one of the greatest filmmakers to walk this earth. He has made legendary films like Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise, Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, American Gangster and Body of Lies.
According to you, which is the best war movie in the world?
The film that will see the end of all wars.
