The Coalition, a festival of creativity was recently organised in the capital. Providing a good platform to those who have a dream of breaking into the system of start ups and be successful, the festival offered a vast array of speakers from every walk of life for an insight. For all those who dream of becoming the next big thing in Bollywood, AIB organised a podcast with some of the biggest 'outsiders' who made it big in the city of dreams.
'Breaking Bollywood' consisted of a panel of film industry veterans like filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, actress Richa Chadha, actor Neil Bhoopalam and dialogue writer- actor Hussain Dalal. The panel talked about their journey, struggles and shared their take on breaking into the closed territory of film industry. Shedding light on their moment of being recognized, Anurag said, "I have been in the industry for long. I did work without any money and credit for a long time. So when I finally got a cheque for my work I felt that now I am the part of the industry."
Richa Chadha on the other hand admitted that she still doesn't consider herself to be a part of the industry. According to her, "Bollywood is an imaginary landscape. In the west at least you have a sign that reads Hollywood, we should come up with a better name than Bollywood. I don't like to called a part of this imagination. I stand on the fringes and I like it that way."
Talking about the stereotypes and preconceived notions about them, Kashyap recalled an incident that happened to him. He elaborated, "There was a guy who used to stand outside my office every day. Once I asked him what he wants and he blatantly said I am mentally disturbed and psycho like you, take me!". 'Gangs of Wasseypur ' director admits that he likes to be called 'unconventional'.
Richa Chadha too had to go through certain stereotypes about her after 'Gangs of Wasseypur'. The 'Masaan' actress revealed that filmmakers came to her with 'abla naari taking revenge' sort of roles with lot explicit content. She says, "People remember wheneber they have off-beat, edgy roles. They have typecast me that way. During Gangs of Wasseypur success party, an actress came upto me congratulation everyone in English and immediately turned to hindi wile speaking to me. When I replied in english she seemed surprised on learning that I'm educated."
As for the writer Hussain Dalal, he is mostly perceived as a love story writer, He says, "People perceive me to be all rosy and cheesy. What they don't know is I've written everything even stories for SBI short ads and films."
About the struggle faced, Neil Bhoopalam said, "It’s hard to get through people in Bollywood. I never had a formal training and it was hard to be accepted in the circuit. As an 'independent' artiste, you are working you are at the mercy of structure where you are needed for a certain amount of time and then concluded. You have to understand that you are no star who could carry a multi crore film. The day you make peace with it, you'll be happy. I feel like a shack in Goa. A seasonal artist who works when the time is right."
Richa further added, "Anurag (Kashayp) once told me that I have to be persistent. There will be younger actresses (star kids) than me who would get it easy but I have to strive 5 times more to get it. This is how it works and I have made peace with this 5:1 ratio." About keeping her sanity intact, Richa said, "Once every week I feel like quitting. Nobody in Bollywood is normal because everybody here has creativity in their soul."
"I am not thick skinned. Sometime you are broke, but you have to say no to big money."
Kashyap said in order to make a mark in this harsh industry you have to be thick skinned and extremely passionate about your work. "Come here with passion and not to earn money."
Hussain chose to differ his path, he motivated the eager audience saying , "Khali stress nai hai, shak aur yakeennke bich mein yakin jeet-ta hai. So just be positive and things will work out accordingly."
After an intense session Gursimaran Khamba from AIB asked the panellists about the weirdest advice they've ever come across. Anurag quipped, "When my films were banned and I was broke. One producer came to me with money and told me to copy a Hollywood film. He left the bag at my place for three days to change my mind. Although I wanted to keep the money but I refused to do work his way. So ‘ Here keep this money’ is my weirdest advice."
Richa recalled, "After Fukrey I met a PR who advised me to date a cricketer in order to stay in news."
About monetary investments and benefits Kashayp said, "Cinema costs money. High cost needs everybody's consensus. Low cost needs only my consent. If I control my cost, nobody questions me and I can be more free." About his 2015 'Bombay Velvet' debacle he said, " Phantom made Bombay Velvet with big names and investments. Due to this I was answerable to many people and made my editing room democratic which led to delay in release and thus negativity in media."
With lots of money in hand you start thinking business instead of creativity. From a chef you become caterer." Kashayp said he's now back on track making small budget films as he can't charge money for his freedom. "I have immense respect for directors like Rohit Shetty who earn 10 times more than me, working with big stars all the time. One needs mental stability to do so and I can't do that.."
Richa Chadha supported Kashyap's saying, " When you can sell ticket you can ask for money. The sooner you get that you’ll be happy. Do films for passion and other things for money, till you become Salman Khan."
Concluding the session, the panelists talked about the scope of indie films in the times of digitization. Kashyap called it 'exciting times' for the people to showcase their talents to right people. About 'Gangs of Wasseypur 3' he revealed, "My writers are writing it but I'm not in to direct it. For me it's over."
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