Hirani: Films can’t change the world. As a filmmaker, I just want to make a film that touches people, on whatever level. After Munnabhai MBBS, a lady told me her story. Her husband was in coma for five years but after watching the film, her kids started taking their dad to the building compound and would play in front of him. She said the family could sense that he was happy. This reaction moves me more than just figures. After Lage Raho..., a man called me from Ahmedabad. He had got a new flat and was going crazy consulting vaastu experts. But after watching the film, he sacked the experts. I’m not saying that the Gandhian way is easy. If someone spits on your front door, you can either yell or smile and wipe it. It’s about overcoming the ego. I’m not saying that there is a solution for everything. But non-violence is a far better approach than violence.  

Rakeysh, nine months after its release, everybody still comments on the violent ending of RDB. Could you comment on this?

Mehra: It’s not so simplistic for me. Non-violence is a no-brainer for me. Even a child will tell you that. I agree with Raju when he says that and given a choice, maybe I’ll also go the non-violent way. But at the same time, if a solider is attacked at the Siachen glacier or LoC, he won’t be thinking about violence or non-violence. He is defending his motherland and will do whatever to protect her.  

... contd.