Prakash Jha’s policegiri…

Mona

When this young boy got into college, he left soon after to do something ‘different’. He was certain that if he completes his graduation he will be forced to be an IAS by the family, something that has long become the genetic make up of Bihar. College left, he followed his passion and is doing ‘different’ in an industry where much of work has been dictated by formulas. You wouldn’t see any usual song or dance sequences in Prakash Jha’s films; he writes, directs and produces flicks that work on BO; established stars become part of his hard-hitting, real journeys; and in next one you will see him act too.

When established Bollywood director came calling to Chandigarh on Sunday, he was face to face with some 150 women police officials. In Jha’s upcoming film Jai Gangaajal it is a woman cop taking the story forward; there was an interesting conversation that flowed with Jha narrating his view on police and policewomen their take on the life in uniform… excerpts…

Let the police be

Prakash, is desh main policing nahi hai (Prakash, there is no police system in this country), became the trigger for Jai Gangaajal. Jha picks up his stories from society and system around, seeing how policemen are bound to politicians’ signals made him follow this lead. “So motivated is our police force, just give them independence to follow law and see them put this country on track in a week’s time,” says Jha who feels for the forces who under appalling conditions are supposed to maintain law and order. “Look at our constables. In most our states their accommodation is comparable to hell, health deteriorating and 14-18 hours duties. Top it with common people, media, higher ups - not anyone with one good word to say.”

PC fits the bill

Jha has been touring different cities, minus his protagonist Priyanka Chopra. Quiz him on her absence, he points to her life size poster in backdrop. Why Priyanka? “Why not Priyanka,” he shoots back. Jha needed a calm, composed person for this one, PC fitted the bill. Post Raajneeti, the duo had been talking of working together for long. “On one chance meeting, I narrated the story to her for 15 minutes and she said, “The only one doing this role is me”,” says Jha who is happy the way PC has matured as an actor. Accompanying Jha on Chandigarh visit were Rahul Bhat and Vega Tamotia, the director explains, “Rahul is a hero in his own right, I needed someone strong for a guest appearance, he agreed.” Jha met Vega in New York and as Vega puts, “Maine besharam ho kar role maang liya (I requested him for a role blatantly),” Jha takes it forward, “I met her in the US but here she plays role of a village woman who is not ready to give up her land in order to educate her brother.”

We need no censor board

Censor Board and Jha have not been on best of the terms, and the director explains, “I don’t think we need censor board. Society itself is a check. If porn films are made and showed in cinemas, you think people will go and watch it? Those who watch would go but that they do it in privacy anyway.” Now that the board is there, Jha is all for rational and interpreting cinema in context.

Jai Gangaajal hits the big screens on March 4, Jha is working on another story on politics. “It wouldn’t be a prequel or sequel of Raajneeti. I feel political scenario is in a state today that that it calls for a narrative,” says Jha getting up for yet another selfie with ecstatic women police officials , “You should see Diya aur Baati on TV, you should make a film on Chandigarh police versus rest of Indian police… we hear them suggest the master filmmaker…we wonder…

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