72 Hoorain is in the news. In fact, there’s controversy even on the trailer. What would you like to say? How can a trailer be controversial when the film has already been censored?
Ashoke Pandit: I think it was quite a shock to all of us. We never expected that the trailer will be rejected. There are two primary reasons. One is that the film has won a national award. Sanjay got the “Best Director” award. It’s always a dream for any maker that he gets a national award. The national award is given by the government of India. So, a film that won the National award and was also recognized at IFFI (International Film Festival of India), means that the content of the film is so good. Now when the trailer is made, it comprises of the same visuals which are there in the film. Not a single frame is used in the trailer which is not there in the film. So, when the trailer is given to you (Censor board) and you see that everything is there in the film, there should be no issue in giving a certificate.
We have been asked to remove the foot and the Quran from the trailer. So, why couldn’t they see it when they certified the film? Because it is there in the film also. And again I am underlining that the film got a National Award.
So, it was quite a shock for us. We felt very humiliated. This is not the way you treat a film or a filmmaker. It went big. People started talking about it. So, we got the clarification yesterday which was quite funny. They said that the ‘message that you have given to people is wrong, it’s been misunderstood. We have not rejected your trailer. We have asked for some cuts.’
But that’s exactly what we are saying. You didn’t give us the certificate and asked to remove some visuals. So, it is called rejection, right? We have appealed to the Censor board. We have appealed to Prasoon Joshi sir that there is something wrong with CBFC. And how are these people sitting on these chairs and making a mockery of CBFC? Prasoon Joshi has done a good job at CBFC. He has taken it to a different level as far as modern technique is concerned. But such things destroy all the hard work which has been done to take it to a different level.
So, when a film has already been censored and then they watch the trailer, they must be aware of what the content of the film is!
Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan: This isn’t just shocking but funny as well. The film that you have already certified and now when some visuals from the same film are used in the trailer, you ask for modifications. This is beyond my understanding. If you have found something objectionable in the trailer, then why didn’t you see them in the film?
And they wait for 9-10 days and ask for modifications just a day before when we have to release the trailer. Our film is scheduled to release on 7th July. So, it is obvious that we will release the trailer at least 8-10 days prior. We applied for censor certificate on 18th June and they started the screening process on the 19th. And just a day before our trailer release, they ask us to make modifications to it. It is a creative process. It takes time. While making a trailer, we have to select each shot, design its sound, background etc – it is a creative and time taking process. It’s not like we can modify it within a day. Moreover, as said earlier, the film has already been certified. So, I believe they should handle these things carefully because as a filmmaker, I have been going through enough and they are adding to my misery.
So, didn’t they object while giving you a certificate for the film?
Sanjay Puran Singh: They had asked for some cuts before giving us ‘A’ certificate. We accepted those cuts and then we were given ‘A’ certificate. So now, they are demanding cuts in the trailer also, and not to mention, the trailer is made from a film that has been certified after cuts.
It is being said that this is not a new film because you have already won the National award under “Best director” category for it. It has already gone to IFFI.
Sanjay Puran Singh: I think that till the time a film doesn’t get released, it is new. Making a film is a big challenge but getting it released is a much bigger challenge. Especially when you are making a film on a bold or sensitive topic, you face problems at every step. People don’t stand in your support.
The film was ready during the Covid pandemic in 2020. People wouldn’t have come to theatres. The film was presented to IFFI. Then the release kept on getting delayed. We could have given this film to OTT platforms. But I insisted on releasing this film in theatres. And now, unfortunately, CBFC isn’t allowing even the trailer to reach the theatres.
We got many lucrative offers from OTT. But our producers refused them because they believed that this film should be experienced in theatres. So, since then the film hasn’t been released before, it is new to the public. The film doesn’t become new or old on the basis of censor certificates or award dates. This can only be the criteria for nominations at award functions.
Ashoke Pandit: No one wants to delay a film. As Sanjay said, it is very tiring to get a film released. Especially when it is a very small film made on a very low budget, without any backing and a film that is a very difficult film.
People are calling it an ‘Islamophobic’ and ‘propaganda’ film.
Sanjay Puran Singh: I don’t need to make a film to do propaganda. We discard things very easily. We categorize them very easily. We don’t pay attention to what the film is trying to say and what kind of sensitive topic it is trying to talk about. We have suffered terrorism the most. If we are making a film on terrorism, how can you call it a ‘propaganda film’? People have lost lives due to terrorism. We live in Mumbai and we have seen the 2006 train blast and 2008 terror attack. So, it is wrong to demean someone’s creative work even without watching the film. You have full freedom to express your views. You can like it or you can reject it altogether but at least make an opinion after watching the film. People started calling it propaganda when we had just released the poster. The trailer came out much later. I can’t control what people think. I have touched upon a very sensitive topic with a lot of honesty and have tried to look at it with a new approach. And I want people to watch it in a similar manner and then start discussions on it.
Ashoke Pandit: It is very important to understand. Who are these people who call it a propaganda film? They are those people who have supported only one particular kind of films since the beginning and have been running an agenda around it, be it a film critic or a communist or a person believing in a particular faith. They have been running a particular agenda due to which other things haven’t come to the front. And now, when some films are being made which are also being accepted at a larger level, those people have felt destroyed. They have felt frustrated. They now feel that their agenda and their thought process has been destroyed by films like The Kashmir Files, The Kerala Story and 72 Hoorain. So, they are calling these films propaganda out of their insecurity.
Look at the urban-naxals or the white-colored terrorists, who can be a painter, a politician, a professor, a filmmaker or a film critic. A film critic didn’t review all these films ( The Kashmir Files, The Kerala Story). I am sure they won’t review 72 Hoorain also. If you call yourself a critic or a reviewer, then you can call it a bad film but instead, they are not reviewing these films in the first place. So, these films have exposed those people.
IFFI organizes an event where a foreigner is the chairman of jury. He comes and abuses and destroys an Indian filmmaker. Was there any inquiry on it? Who brought him here? Did someone check his background? Which country will tolerate that a foreigner comes onto your soil and insults your filmmaker? And it is just because that film doesn’t suit your agenda. 72 Hoorain is not suiting your agenda. So, these are the people who are actually running propaganda. Infact, we are the ones who appreciate good films. For us, films are not propaganda. For us, a good film is a ‘good film’ and a bad film is a ‘bad film’.
People will make films on cancers in India- like terrorism, conversion and other issues. You can make films based on your preference. Why are you demolishing our films which is raising serious issues?
Does 72 Hoorain fall under the same category as The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Story?
Sanjay Puran Singh: 72 Hoorain is a film made on new perspective. Many films have been made on terrorism before. Some were from the perspective of victims, while some were from the perspective of investigative agencies. This is the first time we are attempting to make a film based on the perspective of people who commit terror acts. It is based on those who train people, who brainwash them and those who execute it. I think that this perspective hasn’t been explored in the cinema world before. I don’t know if it falls into that category. But people have already categorized it and I can’t control it. But I have made this film with a very different approach.
Ashoke Pandit: This film was made even before The Kerala Story and The Kashmir Files were made. There is no competition. People are free to make 75 Hoorain or Gujarat Story. We are making the film, we are spending money, so it is our decision when and how to release it. Every film has a destiny. We are believer in God and destiny, Every time is the right time.
Why did you choose this subject?
Sanjay Puran Singh: I have come from a small town. I grew up watching cinema. People from small-towns have different stories to tell. I want to do different films with different perspectives. I got an opportunity to talk about terrorism with a new perspective and I didn’t want to lose this opportunity.
I wanted to tell this story because if I didn’t, I think no one else would! This film is worth all the challenges and risks.
Film 83 was also your story which Kabir Khan made eventually. I have heard that you were supposed to make that film. It was your idea, your concept and you had approached Kapil Dev. How did it slip from your hands and go elsewhere?
Sanjay Puran Singh: When big filmmakers come on board, producers get some surety about the profitability. I think the decision was driven by a business perspective. Filmmaking is an expensive business so the producers and investors must have calculated the market value. I wrote the script but I couldn’t direct the film. It’s all in the past.
Did you get the credit for the story?
Sanjay Puran Singh: Yes, and I won the IIFA also for ‘Best Story’. Though I have not watched the film because when it was released, I was traveling somewhere and later, I didn’t get the chance.
Were you hurt when 83 went out of your hands?
Sanjay Puran Singh: I gave 6 years of my life to that film. For me, a film isn’t just a film. I live them. So, when you are passionate about something and you can’t do it, it definitely hurts you a lot. But slowly, I am realizing that too much passion is not required in Hindi film industry.
Aamir Bashir didn’t have a problem doing 72 Hoorain?
Sanjay Puran Singh: I think any sensible person wouldn’t have a problem with this film. Because we are talking about a problem in the film. And to solve a problem, one must understand and accept it first. So, whoever is sensible enough won’t be bothered by the subject of the film.
What are you expecting from the film? Are you expecting protests? Are you expecting acceptance?
Ashoke Pandit: We are positive people. So, we expect positivity and support from people. We definitely want people to go in great numbers to watch the film and applaud it. We want them to give us a pat on the back and say ‘yes, you have made a good film.’ I am hoping that after the release of this film, Sanjay signs a 1000cr film and stops picking our calls (laughs). Because that will be a big day for all of us.
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