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Rushdie was lied to, but I won't face trouble:
Deepa Mehta
Thursday February 02, 2012 10:23:04 PM,
Subhash K. Jha, IANS
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Mumbai: Canada-based Indian
filmmaker Deepa Mehta, who is making a film on Salman Rushdie's
bestseller "Midnight's Children", says the author was lied to and
discouraged from attending the Jaipur Literature Festival. But she
is confident that she would be able to release the movie without
any trouble in India.
Excerpts from an interview:
Q: Your friend and creative collaborator Salman Rushdie was not
allowed to attend the Jaipur Literature Festival. How do you react
to this?
A: That isn't true. Rushdie was not disallowed from attending the
Jaipur Literature Festival. He was lied to and misinformed by
police and local politicians. He was actively discouraged from
attending the festival. He was told that his attendance would
endanger not only the festival but also himself. It's this
dishonesty that is despicable. The detailed planning of this whole
devious farce for electoral political gain is what is totally
creepy.
Q: Deepa, you yourself have repeatedly been a victim of cultural
and political tyranny. Does that give you a sense of empathy with
Rushdie?
A: Any human being with even an iota of sense would feel
rightfully indignant for Rushdie. Empathy is a given.
Q: Your "Fire", then "1947: Earth" were gagged. Do you see any
radical difference in literary and cinematic gagging?
A: All gagging, whether in literature, cinema or art is identical.
It's referred to as the lynching of freedom of expression.
Q: In a way, your destiny as a creative artiste runs parallel to
Rushdie's. Your "Water" was not allowed to be made in Varanasi...Rushdie
not allowed to be seen or heard in Jaipur. Do you see a pattern
there?
A: I am not a great believer in destiny. The point is, despite the
protests, "Water" did get made. And despite all the protests
Rushdie will be welcomed and celebrated in the land of his birth
by folks who appreciate the written word and are not small-minded
bigots…As the ad for freedom of expression goes, they can burn
books. They cannot silence his voice.
Q: You've now collaborated with Rushdie on "Midnight's Children".
How do you think the recent controversies surrounding the author
would impact the film in India?
A: "Midnight's Children" is chosen as a Booker of Bookers. It's a
novel that is deeply loved by millions. Its author has often said
the book is his 'love letter to India'. I think the film captures
Rushdie's deep affection for India.
Q: Even "Midnight's Children" couldn't be shot in India. Any
regrets?
A: None at all. The film spans from 1917 to 1977. The urban Indian
landscape has changed so greatly. It would have been difficult in
India to find the locations we needed for the film.
Q: Both Mira Nair and you wanted to shoot your current films
partly in Pakistan. But couldn't. Do you feel it is growing
progressively tough for artists in the so-called Third World to
express themselves?
A: We never wanted to shoot "Midnight's Children" in Pakistan.
After the failed attempt of trying to film "Earth" in Lahore, we
didn't even consider it. Hmmm...it depends on what the artists
want to express, and what category the artists fall into… NRI or
not, controversial or not, influential or not, kow-towing to the
West or not, if your father-in-law's grand nephew is owed a favour
by a minister or not….it gets complicated and messy in India.
Q: Do you think the Western world is more tolerant to creative
freedom than India and the Orient?
A: I don't know if tolerant is the correct word. Creative freedom
is a given in most Western countries..
Q: What is the progress with the post-production of "Midnight's
Children?"
A: Getting there.
Q: What release plans?
A: October 2012.
Q: Finally, do you think you'd face problems in releasing
"Midnight's Children" in India?
A: None at all.
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