Drama & real life

When things become heavy, the item song gives a break and it is a part of nautanki style of presentation. While I try to be honest with the content, I also have to give something to the audience to reassure them that they are watching a commercial film

-- Prakash Jha

This film does highlight a movement and by portraying these characters at least you are spreading an awareness, provoking people to have some empathy

– Abhay Deol

For me, a challenge is when you are asked to do something that you've not been exposed to, like dancing or lip-synching

- Manoj Bajpayee

When I came to know that my co-stars were Manoj, Anjali, Abhay, Arjun, Om Puri sir, I wanted to make sure that I was at par with them and not get overshadowed by them

-Esha Gupta

Film-maker Prakash Jha, best known for gritty dramas hinged on social realities is now ready with Chakravyuh, a film that explores unequal growth through the Naxalite problem. Along with actors Abhay Deol, Anjali Patil, Esha Gupta, Manoj Bajpayee, he made a trip for an edition of Screen Preview to answer a few pertinent questions. In addition to being punctual, the Chakravyuh team (sans Arjun Rampal who was stuck in a shoot) navigated skilfully through the minefield of questions ranging from corporate criticism to signing stars for his films.

Excerpts from the engaging discussion that followed.

How challenging was it to bring the issue of Naxalism into mainstream cinema through your forthcoming film, Chakravyuh?

Prakash Jha: You can bring any issue in the mainstream, but the most important thing is to have a story and be able to narrate it in an engaging manner. It takes me a long time to find a story and then I keep researching on the subject, analysing it, trying to find the equations as to why a particular social change is happening. Right from Damul to Mrityudand to Gangaajal, Apaharan, Aarakshan, Raajneeti, and now Chakravyuh, that has been the main interest in my film-making career.

... contd.

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