'I have a definite passion for history'

NO COMPROMISES

With his earlier productions like Lagaan and Jodha Akbar, the director has already proved that he can attract the youth to Indian history.

His passion for the subject can be seen yet again in the recently released  Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey which talks about the Chittagong uprising. “Looking at my past films, and anyone can say that I have a definite passion for history. Only over time, I keep wanting to tell the same story in a more contemporary way,” says Ashutosh, who was in the City recently.

It was the title of the book Do and Die, that caught the director’s eye.

“I always wondered if non-violence was the only way to freedom, that’s when I came across this book written by Manini Chatterjee. And I thought the book was about a revolution that people really needed to know more,” he says.

Living in a time when youngsters don’t really have to fight for the country’s freedom, one wondered how far youngsters can really relate to this historical film. “One can’t really underestimate today’s youth. I don’t think in the near future, we have to undergo another freedom struggle but if a situation arises, I am confident that youngsters will surely come together as one and fight,” he adds.

Buddha has been one of Ashutosh’s long pending projects. With everything intact, it’s the hunt for the perfect lead that has been keeping the film from going on the floors.

“It is a very difficult casting which I have in hand here,” says Ashutosh, who is attempting a film with a religious base for the first time. The project is being pitched in as an international film and Ashutosh says that the actor, new or established, must have an universal appeal.

“There are so many people in this world who practice Buddhism— Japanese, Koreans, Vietnamese and others. When they see our film, they should be able to relate to the actor and say that this is their Buddha,” he says. 

Having gone into a total no-compromise mode on that film, Ashutosh says, “I have auditioned so many actors but I am never going to compromise. And if I don’t get my lead, I don’t think I will ever make the film.”