In conversation with Ron Howard

CNN-IBN Entertainment Editor Rajeev Masand caught up with the director of the controversial film, The Da Vinci Code in Cannes, France. Howard spoke on the adult certificate given to the film in India and what inspired him to make the film in the first place.

Rajeev Masand: The film has been mired in controversy for a few weeks now, when you accepted to take up this picture, did you know that it was going to ruffle feathers?

Ron Howard: Yes, I did because I knew that the novel had already ruffled feathers. And when you focus the release of a movie and you begin to see characters actually discussing some of the ideas, that really makes up the entertainment value of the story.

Yes, I did feel that people were going to feel that at the moment that the movie was released, it was time for them to stand up and speak in support of their ideas and beliefs.

Rajeev Masand: What was your biggest challenge in adapting this book to the screen?

Ron Howard:I think it was the fact that there was this huge readership and it became very clear that that readership really wanted to see an adaptation of the novel that would relate to the experience that they had reading the book.

And there is also going to be this huge audience that has not read the book and has heard a great deal about it. So, for the first time in my career, it was really about trying to understand the movie from a lot of different perspectives.

It is also a very unusual story, very unique in terms of the way it entertains, it is not just one 'thing'. People respond to the story in so many different levels, for different reasons. They are critical of it for different reasons and supporting of it for different reasons.

It has been really a mind-bending, fascinating, creative journey, but ultimately a story that I wanted to be a part of telling.

Rajeev Masand: In India, where religion can be a tricky thing, the objections and protests from religious groups was so vociferous that I&B Ministry decided to take a re-look at it and what was decided was that the film will be released after obtaining an 'adult' certificate. Therefore the release of the movie has been pushed ahead by a week as well and there is a disclaimer that is going to go with the film. How does that make you feel?

Ron Howard:I don't know what the disclaimer is and this is up to Soni Pictures in their sense of what is correct. It is very hard for me to comment on. I resisted disclaimers because this is a work of fiction and an entertainment and I feel that if the beginning of any mystery thriller comments on the reality of the story, you are undermining some of the entertainment value.

When you go to one of those stories, part of what you are doing is trying to lose yourself in something and then you go home and you think about it. I frankly think that adult movie audiences are really underestimated. I think that on that car ride home or on that walk back to their house, you are going to know what they believe and what rings true to them and what doesn't. But, that is just my opinion.

Rajeev Masand: Here, in Cannes, you actually went on record to say that the film is bound to upset some people and that those who are upset by it should stay away from it. Is that a difficult stand to take as a filmmaker? Is it hard to tell people - Don't go and watch my film if it upsets you.

Ron Howard:Particularly for me, because I am not a very provocative, confrontational kind of a person, it is not in my personality. But as related to the story, from the time that I signed on to do it, I would bump into people. Some of them very close to me, whom I really care about, were upset by some of the themes and then, I began to realise on a very personal level that the story did challenge people.

It is a work of fiction, it is a movie, it is an entertainment, it is not meant to change anyone's life. To stimulate the imagination, be thought provoking, it sure is, but I wouldn't want to take responsibility for changing anyone's mind. So, I have decided to make that statement and as a director what I really want is for everyone to see the movie a couple of times because the fact is that when the people see this particular movie for the second time, it is so much more out of it, because it is very dense. The entertainment level just skyrockets on that second viewing. Instead, what I will say is that 'make your own judgement about the film'.

Rajeev Masand: Thank you for talking to us. I think I can safely say that Indians are looking forward to seeing the film and really making up their mind for the film.