Power Point

Tell us more about Raajneeti.

Jha: Raajneeti is a story based on politics. It’s a film about the rise and fall of destinies. It is a story based on characters from the Mahabharata,the epic that is one giant source of knowledge,incidents and drama.

Having contested elections yourself,what is your political stand?

Jha: Politics to me is development,a way to sow the seeds of growth. I have never been part of any political party nor propagated any ideology. Politics is everywhere: between husband and wife,siblings,friends,colleagues —it’s all pervasive.

This is one of your most ambitious projects and it has a grand star cast.

Jha: Indian cinema is a star-driven medium. In the film,even those who participated in the rallies were real actors — 8,000 of them — from folk or street theatre or acting schools.

There have been speculation that Katrina Kaif’s character is based on Sonia Gandhi. Is it true?

Jha: Not at all. I will never take the risk of making a film on the life of someone as big as Sonia Gandhi. Katrina’s character is an Indian,the daughter of an Indian industrialist.

Ranbir,are you interested in politics? And what’s your character like?

Ranbir Kapoor: Well,I was never into politics,but after doing this film,I have started keeping track. My character is the outsider who is visiting his family during holidays. His family is very political and,before he knows it,he is sucked into the world of politics.

Manoj,tell us about your character.

Manoj Bajpai: Bihar,where I was born and raised,is a place that lives,breathes,eats and drinks politics. Every person has an opinion on everything and Raajneeti explores that. I play Viru Bhaiyya,a character who inherits power. He comes closest to Duryodhan in Mahabharata.