Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival brought together Bollywood's five best directors on one stage and revealed a candid, fun side of the otherwise serious storytellers. A panel discussion featuring Zoya Akhtar, Gauri Shinde, Vishal Bhardwaj, Shoojit Sircar and Rohit Shetty was part of MAMI Festival's Movie Mela on Sunday.
The directors revealed their pet peeves on the sets, the habits of actors that irritate them, their working style, film screening and difficulties faced in life. They also guided aspiring actors and filmmakers on how to break into the industry.
Here are few interesting statements by each director at the panel. Key highlights of the discussion were Shoojit's innocence, Rohit's honesty, and Vishal's wit.
Zoya Akhtar
I have been to screenings of some really bad films. The end of the premiere is like a funeral as you have to talk to the person who has made it and he expects good things out of you. It's really hard to fake praise someone.
Putting out your perspective in this sexist industry is very difficult. Therefore your stories should make sense to you and if it does, you know you are doing it right.
Mira Nair gave me the best advice while I was entering the industry- Never lose my feminity in order to be listened in this male-dominated world and never to hook up with your actor as it complicates things.
Vishal Bhardwaj
None of my films have worked at the box-office and I have grown used to it. When my films will have a good collection, I'll sit and figure out what went wrong.
I became a director to employ myself as a music composer as I had no work at one point of my life.
Before I ventured into direction, Gulzar Saheb told me to never take the attitude of people. He also advised me to always choose emotions over logic.
Gauri Shinde
Nobody wanted to invest in a film (English Vinglish) that had a middle-aged actress in the lead and tackle the framework of this society.
I am lucky to work with actresses, Sridevi and Alia Bhatt, who are spontaneous and have their own screen presence and persona, it makes your work easier.
Shoojit Sircar
I am an incidental filmmaker. If the government provides me with enough funds for playing and teaching football, I'll leave this profession as this industry is not for me. Football will always remain my first love. I will make a movie on the life of a footballer if given the right script.
Conceiving a film's script is always tougher than making a film.
I love my Darjeeling tea. Make sure every actor of mine has a cup of tea on the set.
Rohit Shetty
Look at my films! I am thrilled to be a part of a film festival. It's probably my first and last time.
Golmaal Returns was a crap film, Singham 2 suffered because of the villain and Dilwale was ruined by SRL-Kajol love track
An actor has taken 37 continuous retakes in one of my films. Promised to never work with him again.
Celebrity managers are a waste of money and time. I find them very irritating.
(All Images: Yogen Shah)