My defining moment was when I finally went to Cannes and saw my name along with international filmmakers.
— Vikramaditya Motwane
Hard-hitting films are remembered for a long time.
My earliest childhood memories are just of me falling and getting injuries.
In India, it's tough to shoot a period film outdoors. You cannot find mud roads without wires, signage and billboards with ads of mobile phones even in rural areas.
Indian audience has a mindset that a movie which does well at film festivals will necessarily be slow and boring.
I lock myself up in the apartment when I am writing a script. There's no phone, no Wi-Fi, no distractions whatsoever.
I hope I never get complacent and continue to give my 100% to every film I make.
I like to make something different and interesting.
I relate to all kinds of film.
I think because of social media and YouTube things are changing. Today people have a judgement about films.
I am not afraid of slowing down moments - if you have the right emotion in the right place at the right time, you can have any length of film you want.
I am open to doing comedies, romantic stories, and commercial cinema, but it has to work for me so that I can give a year of my life in making it.
I read pretty much every graphic novel I could lay my hands on. Not only 'Batman' or 'Daredevil,' but random ones like 'Black AF' and '100 Bullets.'
Graphic novels are all about fantasies. Superman and Batman started it. It's like a reaction to environment around you. You desire to do things in comic books or films what you can't do in real life.
You want your film to be seen by the largest audience and stars help in facilitating that. Star-power does work.
Nothing should be banned. I think it is just not good.
I generally respond to any story very organically.
In this industry, you are as good as your last hit.
Problems just make me more determined.
I don't think 'Lootera' is slow paced; it's finely paced for its setting and story.
I'm happy Lootera has sparked off a discussion.
When I look back I either feel I did this mistake while shooting or writing. Eventually you try and make sure you do not repeat the same mistake with your next film. I always feel I could have made the film better.
You can be technically strong, and focus all your efforts on elements like casting, music, cinematography and sets, but they are all just add ons. End of the day, filmmaking is really about how well you tell a story.
I want to direct more often. The job of a producer brings its own benefit as you start to see the simplicity of film making. But yes there is a constant battle between the director and producer in me.
Personally, the films I love include 'Black Friday,' 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai,' 'Love Sex Aur Dhoka,' and 'Zindagi Na Milege Dobara' because they work at the box office and are complete packages.
When you are working on a movie, you have to ensure that the journey of characters ends in two hours.
If you don't take a risk then what's the point. We can't keep making films in the same space.
What I loved about the 1950s is that there is an aesthetic to even the average film. The way the camera is placed, the way characters move, the way you dressed the sets, the respect for craft and actors, I do miss that in today's films.
Give me a story which I connect with and then I am going to do it.
Harshvardhan Kapoor is very sincere, somebody who wears his heart on his sleeve.
Everyone wants their film to do well and I am no different from them.
I would love to direct a documentary film if any good subject comes my way.
Trapped' is the story of a guy stuck in an apartment with no food, no water and no electricity, and of his survival based on his primal instincts.
'Udta Punjab' has a brilliant script.
I don't hold grudges.
I had problems my entire life trying to make films. Problems come but you have to find a solution.
A filmmaker has to have faith in talent.
Multiplex cinema culture has created a level-playing field for directors where small budget movies are able to break even, even make profit.
I knew exactly what I wanted out of my actors - the film stars Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha in lead roles - and how each shot should look. A large part of 'Lootera' has been shot under tough conditions.
You can assist another director and learn the ropes of the craft over the years, but becoming a director is about finding your own voice, so you've got to experiment.
I prefer directing to producing as it is far more satisfying.
Most films have a relationship or lack of it. They are about human beings.
It's always a challenge to adapt a novel for screen, a visual medium.
I take criticism very positively if it's genuine.
I try not to read all reviews, but its just that after a point there is nothing much that you can do about it. You can learn and take forward things and use it in your next film. As long as reviews translate into bums on the seat, I think there isn't much I can do.
It is okay to put as much money as you want in a story, as long as it is justified.
Making realistic films is basically about the style.
Box office does matter. One cannot ignore it.
Phantom Films is an established production house and it will help to spread awareness about the documentary film 'Katiyabaaz' among the audience. I saw this film and I loved it. Then we decided to support this film.
The most important thing in a love story for me is the intensity and passion that my lead actors bring into playing their characters.
