Filmmaker Rahul Dholakia is coming with ‘Agni’, in which Prateek Gandhi is in the lead role. In this, the story of those unsung heroes who are ignored will be shown. Before this, Rahul has made films like ‘Parzania’ and ‘Raees’. Let us know what he/she said in a special conversation with us.

Filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, who received a degree in film making from New York, may have done limited work, but his/her National Award winning film ‘Parzania’ established him/her as a sensitive and thought-provoking director. he/she emerged as a commercial film director with Shahrukh Khan’s ‘Raees’, now after almost 7 years he/she will present with ‘Agni’. This film, to be released on OTT, is based on the story of unsung heroes like firefighters. An exclusive interview with him/her. Cinema has changed a lot in the last 7 years. On one side there is a film like ‘Animal’ and on the other side there is ’12th Fail’, and both are doing very well. How do you see the changing times of cinema?
-All kinds of films have been made in cinema in every era, yes it is true that different types of content are being made in this era, but I like those kind of subjects which excite me and which excite others. Too. Such subjects which are realistic, such subjects which talk about the society, bring forward its issues, are my choice and I can give them my interpretation. I don’t know how much change cinema can bring, but I definitely want that at least the discussion starts, people start talking about that topic.

Why does director Rahul Dholakia, who has given National Award winning films like ‘Parzania’ and commercial hits like Raees, work so selectively? Why such a long gap?
-Yes, I agree, it took time. It took me time to read the script, prepare and research. There was a lot of VFX work in my new film ‘Agni’, so it took one and a half years. Pre-production also takes time for me. I am a bit picky when it comes to subjects, so it takes time for me to make a film. Anyway, it was an expensive film, so it was inevitable that it would take time, but now I can say that my other upcoming films will not take so much time.

I am a bit picky about subjects, so it takes time for me to make a film.

Rahul Dholakia

For a filmmaker with a specific ideology like you, is it difficult to choose subjects in today’s socio-political environment or do you feel equally free as a filmmaker?
-Filmmakers express their ideas in different ways. I am very happy that my film Parzania is still timely and relevant even after almost 20 years. Even today the film is in discussion. I hope that whatever cinema I have made, people can relate to it and communicate. I want a dialogue to start about my films, but not in a negative way, but in a positive way.

Do you think you could have made ‘Parzaniya’ in today’s times? Do you feel that fearless?
-I had made it in that period, so what is the big deal in this period. As far as being fearless is concerned, you must tell the story in which you have faith and conviction. One should not be afraid of that. A lot of films are being made today. I agree that people are censoring their views today, but I feel that a filmmaker should bring the subject in front of everyone in which he/she believes.

You must tell the story in which you have faith and conviction.

Rahul Dholakia

There was a clash of ‘Kaabil’ (Hrithik Roshan) with your film ‘Raees’ (Shahrukh Khan), which was released seven years ago, but this film of yours is releasing on OTT, so is it a relief from the tension of the box office? feeling?
-Comparatively speaking, there is no box office stress. This time I am relieved that there will be no hassle of box office numbers, reviews, collections, but today I see that everything is being linked to the box office, which is also very sad. I don’t make films for Fridays. We make films to tell stories, to reach out to people about things that have not been discussed. Now as I have invested 7 years in this film of mine, it should not change on one Friday evening. When a film works, I feel very happy, but for me the entire process of making the film is more important. Film making, its process, bonding with people during film making, story telling, all these things are included in it. I admit that a lot of things can go wrong on that one Friday when the public will or won’t come to the theater, but if I’ve enjoyed the process, I shouldn’t worry about the outcome, and I’ve enjoyed the process. Even if I don’t pick it up, I don’t need to worry.

Any special reason for making a film on people like firefighters?
-In a way, this film of ours is like returning their due to those unsung heroes who have made sacrifices for the society, but have been neglected. There are many firefighters who risk their lives to save the common people. Now, as a firefighter told me, those who are soldiers take care of the borders of the country and we take care of people’s homes in the city. Whatever happens inside this city, it is our job to keep it safe. Usually forces come after the crime has occurred, but we arrive when there is a fire. We save people by risking our lives. I felt that these are those people of the society who are not talked about and we should bring forward the stories of these people. We have taken these unsung heroes for granted. Somewhere I feel that our social values and humanity are fading. We have to reawaken them through these heroes. I would like to tell that a lot of hard work and a good budget has been spent on its sound system and VFX. I believe that sound system and VFX are important parts of this film. The film is about a firefighter and we have shown that every fire is different, every object burns differently. We did extensive research on how a particular material would burn and what would be its sound at that time? How will the fire travel? What will be its color?

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Rahul Dholakia Interview: I don’t make films just for Fridays

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