Short films don't work in India: Zoya Akhtar

Apr 14, 2013 Uma Ramasubramanian

Mumbai, April 14 (IANS) Short films served standalone in theatres are unlikely to find takers in the country, says filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, who has helmed a 25-minute movie, "Bombay Talkies", a compilation of four short films celebrating 100 years of Indian cinema.

Zoya, who has directed true-blue Bollywood movies like "Luck By Chance" and "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" in the past, joined forces with talents like Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap and Dibaker Banerjee to put together "Bombay Talkies". It has four stories - all different in content and flavour.

The movie is hitting theatres May 3, but will its release open the doors for a theatrical culture for short films?

"I don't think this will ever happen," Zoya maintained.

"There might have been three or four different filmmakers coming together, but as a theatrical concept, (individual) short films don't work (here). Now you don't need it (a theatrical release). With internet, digital platforms and film festivals, you have so much that you can do. But (honestly), I don't think short film will be a huge theatrical culture," Zoya told IANS in an interview here.

Zoya is, however, more than anything else, proud that she got to collaborate with such experienced directors.

"I am the youngest in this lot and I am proud to be sharing the credits with them. They are three amazing filmmakers;so I am really proud. I am actually the least experienced in the lot," she said, adding that "Bombay Talkies" is a "good package".

For her part in "Bombay Talkies", Zoya worked around a slim budget of Rs.1.5 crore. And she managed, even with an actress like Katrina Kaif in it. Did she have to make a lot of compromises?

"Compromises here and there, but not really! I am lucky that I am with producers like Excel Entertainment. They were like, 'Do whatever, just stay in budget.' I liked it because it was a great exercise for me.

"I think it was a pretty good budget for a short film. I was lucky, and even Katrina didn't charge me. She did it for free," she added.

Daughter of gifted writers Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani, the talented filmmaker said the obsession with the Rs.100 crore was "weird".

Calling it "a bit vulgar", she said: "I am very happy that movies are making that kind of money and I want the box office to keep growing. I want films to make more and more money. But what I find weird is how the audience is involved in the box office.

"I don't understand how much money a film has made can make a news...It's nowhere in the world except India!"

Zoya said the money a movie makes is inconsequential to the audiences.

"I feel people don't know what to write; so this is what they write. Why should people know how much Jet Airways makes in a year - you like the airline, you fly it! I also think the press has a huge part to play in it," she added. Click the Movie button below for more info:
Bombay Talkies