Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Director Vidhu Vinod Chopra has revealed that Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff were not paid for 1942: A Love Story. The filmmaker, who is revisiting the 1994 classic with its restoration, recalled in an exclusive conversation with India Today how the film was made on a shoestring budget, with members of the cast and crew contributing to the project despite not being paid.
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“When I think of this movie, the first thought that comes to me is always R D Burman. I mean really the music he created, the way he created, the way Javed sahab wrote the lines, the way in his room, in his baithak, one by one, that’s when I started visualising the film because the music was created before the film. That is one memory that I will never forget,” Chopra said.
The filmmaker recalled the financial constraints under which 1942: A Love Story was made. “And of course, this film at that time was made in Rs 12 lakhs. Anil and Jackie, none of them were paid. They actually paid for the movie. My set, part of the set is made by Anil and Jackie because we didn’t have the money,” he said.
Chopra also pointed out the stark difference between the film’s original budget and the amount being spent on its restoration today. “In the remastering and restoring, we’ve spent Rs 9 crore 36 lakhs. So, imagine. This is what this film is,” he said.
The filmmaker believes the restoration will allow audiences to experience 1942: A Love Story in a way they haven’t before. “So, people, you might think you’ve seen this film. But let me tell you, you haven’t seen it. You will see it now,” Chopra said.
‘It was the biggest success for me’
Chopra also disagreed with the perception that 1942: A Love Story did not perform well. Asked if he was disappointed by the film’s reception, he said, “It was the biggest success for me.”
“Overseas, it was the biggest success ever of any Hindi film,” he added.
According to Chopra, the film’s Dolby sound format affected its theatrical experience in India, where many theatres were not equipped to play it properly.
“In India, and I’ve said it 10 times, I’ve said it 11 times, people have not seen this film because this film was done in Dolby. I brought the film here, and Dolby told me you can run it in mono theatres. You can’t. Nobody could hear the sound,” he said.
“Please check your statistics. It was the biggest hit ever,” Chopra added.
The filmmaker recalled one particular incident from London, where he witnessed a long queue outside the Mayfair Odeon.
“I remember in London, there was a long line outside Mayfair Odeon, and I got a call from the distributor. I was in a hotel; he asked me to come out. I came out. He asked me if I could see the line. I said yes. He was standing in the line,” Chopra recalled.
“First time for an Indian Hindi film, there is such a long line. So, for me, it was a huge success,” he said.
1942: A Love Story is returning to the theatres on August 21. The film also featured Manisha Koirala and Anupam Kher, among others.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
