2024-08-29 04:12:36
Well-known film director Raja Muzaffar is from Lucknow. Muzaffar has studied at La Martiniere, Lucknow and worked in advertising before coming into films. He is known for films like ‘Gaman’ and ‘Umrao Jaan’. He also directed the TV serial ‘Jaan-e-Alam’. The filmmaker has recently raised serious questions on the world of OTT. Let us tell you about his conversation with Navbharat Times.You are a director, writer, poet, designer, artist… how do you find time for so many things and which of these would you give priority to?
I give the first place to my thinking, my imagination because everything is born from that imagination. If your imagination is incomplete or raw, then you cannot do anything. I think imagination means to live and see deeply. You have to do many things in film making yourself because you have seen them and you have thought about them, no one else has seen them through your eyes. So then you will have to design according to what you have imagined. Actually, film making is an art. In this, costumes also have a story of their own. Any character works hard wearing these, sweats, makes people laugh and cry, so there is a lot of research on clothes too. Apart from this, the music you hear, you have also created it somewhere in your mind. You do not buy it from the market and put it in. Yes, it is a different thing that in film making one has to work deeply with people. They also don’t know what will come out of their work with you and neither do you know what you will get out of them. There is a surprise element. The important thing in it is what we want. That is why a person needs to think deeply. I am a painter, so I feel that I can convey my imagination to people better by sketching things.
But how can one work in so many fields simultaneously?
It is your interest. It is your journey. If you are interested in thinking, reading, poetry or observing life, then you will automatically find time for them. Actually, I paint, so until I make something with my own hands, I don’t think it is real. This is necessary to make some things real.
What do you have to say about OTT platforms?
I think people have learned to abuse well through OTT. OTT is running on abuses these days. However, I am not able to abuse.
You are also associated with the fashion industry. What do you think while designing dresses in it?
Through this, local artisans get a chance to work. OTT is running on abuses these days, due to which people have also learned to abuse: Muzaffar Ali The music you hear, you have also created it somewhere in your mind – Muzaffar Ali I design many types of things under this, so that they get strength. They can move forward – Muzaffar Ali. Their things reach people. Actually, the reason for bringing a fashion label was that when we went to the village, we shot Movement Dwar Pe Rozi. When we shot, then I sketched it. After sketching, then people got to know about those clothes, then their designer label was made. It is inspired by handicraft. Through this, our effort was to provide employment to every household through crafts, giving special emphasis on weaving and embroidery.
If you make Umrao Jaan Part 2 today, which actress would you prefer to cast for the role of Umrao Jaan?
While choosing a character for the film, the most important thing is whether there is a story on that woman’s face or a story can be written on her face, whether she looks like she has heard the story etc.
Nowadays people remix every song. What do you have to say about this?
I believe that songs should not be remixed at all. This takes away the depth that is present in those songs.
You are so energetic and have a youthful personality. What do you do for that? What is your routine?
I spend a lot of time with animals, horses and dogs. I keep moving around. I am not busy with my mobile phone. I like being with nature a lot. Apart from that, I don’t use social media much. I think it eats up a person’s time.
What kind of film are you focusing on making at the moment?
I have made 18 short films on Indian craft forms. At the ongoing Chitrashaala Short Film Festival, I screened one of my films, Dastaan-e-Dastkari-Moradabad, which highlighted the metal industry of Uttar Pradesh. Other films focused on the wood-carving craft of Thamma Patti in Tamil Nadu, lacquer craft of Kutch and black terracotta pottery of Meghalaya. Connecting youth with crafts can make them more attractive and entertaining to a wider audience.