Interviews

The Rediff Interview

Suresh Krissna is a popular name in South Indian cinema. He has directed top stars like Kamal Haasan, Rajnikanth, Chiranjeevi, Revathi and Salman Khan, as well as upcoming actors in films made in all four South Indian languages as well as Hindi.

His latest, the Telugu film Asthram, is due for release on June 30. He is also doing a Hindi film after 14 years — Rocky, starring Zayed Khan, Minissha Lamba and Isha Sharwani.

rediff.com caught up with the master director to find out more. Excerpts:

Going by the title, does Asthram have something to do with weapons and violence?

As the title suggests, it deals not only with weapons in its literal term, but also about how each individual unleashes the weapon inside him — anger, courage, revenge, sacrifice.

The rumour is it is based on a Hindi film. If so, how has it been adapted for the Telugu audience?

The correct word would be ‘inspired’, as it has from various films. One may find shades from not only a Hindi film but also from some English and even Tamil films. The attempt is to make a successful film.

What are your creative inputs in this film scripted by the Parachuri Brothers?

The film has a joint screenplay between the Parachuri brothers and I. There have been lots of inputs from each side. I believe in teamwork completely.

How did you choose Jackie Shroff to play the role of a Carnatic singer?

Strangely, the day we planned the script, I suggested Jackie’s name for the role, but everybody pooh-poohed me and we tried other actors from the South. When the shooting schedule was approaching and we had still not finalised the actor, I was asked again. I mentioned Jackie’s name once more, and everyone decided to give him a try. I met him in Mumbai through a common friend and, when I described the character, he agreed immediately. He has given an amazing performance. More than anything, he is a great human being. I would love to work with him again.

You normally direct big stars. How was it directing Vishnu Babu and Anushka for a change?

Over my career of nearly 20 years and after about 34 films, I have worked with big stars and upcoming ones too. When I did Prema with Venkatesh, he was an upcoming actor. Likewise, I worked with young actors in some Tamil and Telugu films. I have never wanted to brand myself into a particular category, which is why I tried comedy, romance, action films, musicals, etc. But when films like Baasha (with Rajnikanth), Master, Indrudu Chandrudu (with Kamal Haasan) became big hits, I came to be known as a big star director. Even though there is lot of fame and money in big films, there is always creative satisfaction working with youngsters.

I knew Vishnu well as a young boy, when I directed his father Mohanbabu in Rayalaseema Ramanna Choudhry. He is talented and obedient — a surprise package in Asthram. Anushka is a beautiful, friendly person. We had a great time working together. One of the main aspects of working with youngsters is their tremendous energy and enthusiasm.

What, according to you, is the film’s USP?

It is a fast-paced entertainer — a film about how each person reacts to a particular dramatic situation.

You are directing Rocky in Hindi starring Zayed Khan. Why did you choose it?

I re-made Prema (called Love) in Hindi with Salman Khan and Revathi and also directed Jaagruti with Salman Khan and Karisma Kapoor. Rocky is the story of a man who reacts to all the hypocrisy and nonsense around and how the people, in turn, react with their laidback attitude. To prove his point, Rocky has many hurdles to cross. When I narrated the script, Zayed liked the screenplay — it is non-linear storytelling. The producers Shyam Bajaj and Naren Bajaj (who, incidentally, had produced Love) were also impressed. Himesh Reshammiya sets the score to Sameer’s lyrics. The cinematography is by Raja, Janak Hriday has written the dialogues and the film is edited by Sanjoy.

You have worked in all four major South Indian languages as well as Hindi. How comfortable are you working in different languages?

I was born and bought up in Mumbai. I received my B.Com from the University of Bombay. Even though my mother tongue is Tamil, my parents are from Palghat in Kerala. So, I can understand Malayalam as well. Having done Telugu cinema, I can speak Telugu fluently and can understand Kannada too. I am comfortable with all languages. I want to direct films in Bengali, Marathi, Bhojpuri, Gujarati and even French and English!

What do you look for when you take on a directorial venture?

First and foremost, the script – that is the soul of the film.

Do you have any desires regarding the kind of films you want to make, or stars you want to work with?

I have been discussing a few subjects in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi too. I have always wanted to work with Amitabh Bachchan, as I grew up on his films.

How did you learn the craft of filmmaking?

From the university called K Balachander. I worked with him for seven years on 14 films in various languages. All I know of cinema is purely his blessings.

Do you like cinema for entertainment or cinema with a message?

It is a mix of both, but the bottom line should be entertainment — a message wherever possible, without underlining it too much, unless you have taken a subject predominantly to convey a message. Rang De Basanti is a classic example of entertainment with a message.

Excerpts from tete a tete with Harry Johal of The Newsmaker

Suresh Krissna is one of the most successful and renowned filmmaker from south. Associated with some highly successful movies in South with stars like Kamal Haasan, Rajnikant, Chiranjeevi, Mohan Lal to mention a few. In a long distance Set of questions Harry Johal got this opportunity to bring out Media shy personality to speak, about his personal and professional achievements. Here we bring Suresh Krissna very true to his Soul as a person as a genius and as a NEWSMAKER Director

Q When you look back at your career do you feel you have reached where you belonged?

To be honest, I never even imagined I would be in films Directing Movies. That the South Indian Audiences, producers and actors are still tolerating me even after 15years and over 30 films in itself truly lucky and Gods Grace. Every film I get I keep thanking my stars, for still I do not know what I am doing in films, and that too Direction.

Q Where you began your journey as a Director? Your earlier days about your first break?

Everything in my career happened all of a sudden. Nothing was ever planned. I never had any distinct goal in my life right from my school days back in Bombay. It just happened. I passed my school exams from General Education Academy, Chembur, Bombay because my elder brother, Sriram was always a year ahead of me, brilliant and I always had his books and notes for me to copy. Later just because he took to Commerce in College I too took it for I knew his books would be available. Because he was brilliant he got into Chartered Accountancy etc and that was not my cup of tea. For me the whole education period was a tense period. Luckily I was in the last batch of the old course in school and college, hence the university never wanted these old batch and made sure we got through, thus helping me immensely and giving me my B.Com.Degree, from Bombay University. One friend Mr.K.R.Parmeshwar who was directing stage plays met me and asked if I was interested in assisting him for his plays. I had no clue of drama but then the temptation of Rs.25/- as pocket money made me agree. And there I was working in backstage various plays in Tamil, Marathi, Kannada, and Gujrati also doing a diploma course in Natya Academy affiliated to UNESCO Paris learning theater. Then came a job as an accountant in ShriL.V.Prasadji’s Bombay office. I accepted for my parents were wondering what I was doing in Drama. Luckily within a year there was a vacancy for assistant director and me getting bored with this accounts jumped there and now as Prasadji’s assistant I was roaming with him all over, seriously not knowing anything about this job. There was this film EK DUUJE KE LIYE Produced by Prasadji and directed by K.Balachanderji. As Balachanderji wanted somebody who knew both Tamil and Hindi I was asked to be accompany him and I did the escort job perfectly. When Balachanderji called me for working in the film I happily opted for it meant travelling. Then it was a 7 years stint with Balachanderji down south in all his south films in 14 films and very soon becoming his Associate Director. Most of Balachanderji’s film had Kamal Hasan as the hero and I became very friendly with him. And very soon he probably found that I was picking up the job fast and one day offered me my first film “SATHYA” a remake of Arjun Hindi. Luckily the film became a hit and was for many a trendsetter and there you are in the year 1986-87 this lucky director was born.

Q who are the people you feel have contributed to position where you are today, Apart from professional friends?

At first my parents for they never questioned what I wanted to do in my life. I think with the kind of education and changing profession from drama to accountancy to cinema, I think that they left my future in God’s Hands. My childhood friends Arun and Vanesh were a great source of encouragement because they too were drifters like me. Haha! My brothers Sriram and Satish were always and are still keen followers of my career and a great source of encouragement. Shri.Ananthuji, who is no more, a great soul, though a writer to ShriK.Balachander was almost a father-like figure for me from the time I landed in the world of cinema. After marriage my wife Chandra, who also worked as my assistant director in lot of films is a wonderful critic and a constant source of encouragement and inspiration, so also my brother-in-law Murali a great friend.

Q what sort of cinema you feel comfortable wit? True to life movies or masala kind of movies?

I feel I am a tailor who stitches as per the requirement of the producer, the script, the stars or the audience demands. Personally ‘I may like Guru Dutts “Pyaasa” or Raj Kapoor’s “Mera Naam Joker” or Jack Nicholson’s “One Flew over the cuckoo’s nest”, but then the kind of films that I am offered is what I do. Probably If Produce and Direct films then probably I think I could take the subjects of my choice. Right now I have had success with mass films with Mr.Rajnikant in “Annamalai”, ‘Veera’,”Baasha” and with Mr. Kamal Hasan in “Sathya” “Indrudu chandrudu” and with Mr.Chiranjeevi in “Master” “Daddy” and some others and with small films like “Prema” “Aaha” I have won a few awards too, Hence I believe I am comfortable with both kind of films. I try honestly even in the masala movie make it near to real life.

Q Any new arena you want to explore? If so please put few words.

Period Film, Mythological Films and films on real life Heroes a sort of Documentary. There are so many unsung heroes I would like to tell the world about them and through that lets all be inspired.

Q Why directors down south are unable to repeat the success, in Hindi speaking belt, they tasted in 80s leaving exceptions like Ram Gopal Verma and to an extent Mani Rathnam?

The south films, say in Tamil or Malayalam were always daring in their subjects and would make films which a Hindi audience would never like it. Great filmmakers like K.Balachander, Bharathi Raja, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Sibi Malayil, Fazil and many other trend setting writers and directors have fed the south audience with absolute different fares in their cinemas. Hence the need for the directors down south to keep on making films with all the entertainment but in a very different mould. Hence most of the films by south film directors trying to remake their films never succeeded because the Hindi film audience have been fed to a very different kind of entertainment cinema. Only makers like Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihalani and the new wave directors try something different whereas most of the other Hindi films are on one style of entertainment. Only now films with different themes and stylish presentation have started ushering into Hindi cinema, which I feel, will bring in lot of south directors too. Ram Gopal Verma had tried the same kind of subject like Bhoot before in Raat and Kaun but could not succeed. Now the trend is changing and I feel it’s the time for great south directors to enter the Hindi market.

Q You have been associated with some major blockbuster movie down south. What are the reasons you feel you could not repeat same success in Hindi belt?

I made my film Love with Salman Khan way back in 1991 and Jagruti in 1992 when I had hardly done about three films in south. Love was the remake of my own telugu film Prema that was a 100 days movie. After these two I myself opted not to do Hindi for it was taking lot of time nearly 2 years to complete two films when I was offered lot of telugu and Tamil movies, hence I stopped myself from doing Hindi films, I never had the opportunity to remake my own southern hits nor did I get any good offers. Now Pehlaj Nihlani has offered me a film so also a few more projects are in discussion, I hope it works this time.

Q Speaking in context to Abhay many people have felt that the movie was projecting Kamal Hassan’s versatility to perform rather than film to entertain?’ What went wrong with abhay according to you?

The same Kamal Haasan acted in Nayakan or Appu Raja nobody commented because the film was a success and he was there in the film projecting his versatility as usual. Kamal Haasan is a legend in his life time. People throng to his movies to see him perform and according to me in Abhay he did a brilliant job. There may be many reasons for a film failure, some say the film was hyped too much, some say it was the budget, some say it was too intelligent, but then everyone is liable to their opinions. The film is technically one of the best films in Indian cinema and a script, which was for ahead in its concept. The over expectation sometimes becomes the cause of a disappointment.

Q Do you go to set with a rigid frame of mind to expect what you want to get from your artists or do you give some flexibility to an artist?

I am never rigid in extracting performance from my artists. I just place the actors in the mood of the scene and then guide them to do the best. Strangely I have this reputation that all the stars in my film have acted brilliantly and they have all got awards too. I am a good friend to all my actors.

Q You have worked with two mega stars like Rajnikant and Kamal Haasan? What improvisation you as a director have to make when you reach the sets to work with two stars?

I have worked not with just two mega stars but also with others like Chiranjeevi and Mohan lal too. To be honest you don’t have to improvise too much with them, they are such dedicated actors and so much aware of their performances that all you need is to just place them in that scene and encourage them to give their best, that’s all. I have been extremely lucky to have seen such fantastic actors perform before my eyes. They are sheer magic before the camera and I as an ardent fan of all of them watch in awe.

Q You keep mentioning about God’s Grace, how religious are you?

I am extremely religious and also have a spiritual bent of mind. I owe all that I am today to my Spritual Master Swamiji Sadasiva Bramendra, Gnanacheri, Chennai. He is the guiding light to my family and me. I have been fortunate to have the Blessings of so many Gurus and Saints that many a times I have wondered why God has been so kind to me. Yes its true HIS Benevelonce alone has kept me down to earth even today. Inspite of all the success and still after 15 years and 30 films if I am still in the field is purely HIS Blessings. As the Saints say everything in this life is pre-determined, it’s a screenplay he has written on each individual from the time he came into this world, hence everything will happen as per HIS WILL that’s all! I believe in it 100 per cent!

Q When you look back at your career do you feel you have reached where you belonged?

To be honest, I never even imagined I would be in films Directing Movies. That the South Indian Audiences, producers and actors are still tolerating me even after 15years and over 30 films in itself truly lucky and Gods Grace. Every film I get I keep thanking my stars, for still I do not know what I am doing in films and that too Direction.

Q Was there any other member in your family who was also in films?

My sister Shanthi Krishna was a very popular actress in Tamil and Malayalam films in the early 80s. She was a great Bharat Natyam Dancer and had given more than 500 performances all over the world. Till the time she was around I was only called brother of Shanthi Krishna. In a way her marriage paved the way for my recognition (ha!) She is now married to a big businessman Mr.Bajore and happily settled in the US with her children.

Secret Desire…

All my childhood and youth I was and still am an ardent fan or Amitabh Bachhan. I still have that urge to do direct one film of his. Every time a scene for big heroes would come in my script I would imagine how Amitji would enact that scene and accordingly suggest to the stars. Rajnikantji and Chiranjeeviji, would pull my leg for that. Once a proposal came to remake my film “Master” which I had done with Chiranjeeviji but somehow it did not materialize. Right now among new generation I am an ardent fan of Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and of course my good friend Salman Khan.