Prakash Jha has paved way for realistic cinema: Manoj Bajpai

People like Dibakar Banerjee, Anurag Kashyap, Neeraj pandey are making statements with their films. Story is more crucial to these fimmakers. Aarakshan was a trendsetter in that matter. Somewhere Prakash Jha has paved the way for these filmmakers," Manoj Bajpai said.

Speaking at a promotional event for Satyagraha, Manoj Bajpai said Prakash Jha has paved way for realistic cinema.

Talking about the school of realistic cinema, Manoj Bajpai said, "People like Dibakar Banerjee, Anurag Kashyap, Neeraj pandey are making statements with their films. Story is more crucial to these fimmakers. Aarakshan was a trendsetter in that matter. Somewhere Prakash Jha has paved the way for these filmmakers. He has always made films he believes in. He stands for his story."

"When people were protesting against the film (Aarakshan, 2011), Supreme Court gave an order ruling that no one can stop a film from screening once the censor board has passed it," Manoj Bajpai further said.

Arjun Rampal said, "The role of social media in today's time is tremendous. When I came to Delhi University to study and was picked up by student unions and led to the India Gate apparently to protest against Mandal Commission. I had no idea what I was protesting against or for. This has changed with social media. It has brought more awareness."

"Anyone who thinks social media can be ignored is stupid," the actor added. Interestingly, just minutes before, it was re-iterated that Prakash Jha and Kareena Kapoor are not active on social networking platforms.

Talking about her role in Satyagraha, Kareena Kapoor said, "It was exciting for me to do a role like this. I am more used to holding a mike and answering questions than summing up all the answers in the face of water cannons. The film has instilled greater respect for the profession of journalism in me."

Kareena Kapoor plays a journalist in the Prakash Jha's directorial venture. Kapoor was speaking at the launch of the book Satyagraha: The Story Behind The Revolution.

"There is this scene where I have my director standing right behind me, supporting me. So he is not just a director, he is also an actor," Kareena Kapoor said.

The book, written by Pooja Verma, is in social media style and aims to trace the months of hard work, fun on the sets, costume crises, art direction accidents and how a team of people came together to tell a story of a revolution.

"I have even been offered jobs by two channels," Kareena Kapoor quips.

Speaking at the launch, Prakash Jha said, "Arjun Rampal is already having an idea of trilogy." The director was just playing along as his actors had fun at the book launch. Was he giving a hint or was it just another joke? Only time will tell.

Talking about the subject of his film, Prakash Jha said, "The purpose of democracy is for people to vote. Those who get voted, are voted to serve the people but the moment they become elected, they begin to lord over the public."

When asked what kind of effect does Satyagraha hope to bring, Kareena Kapoor said, "I am sure the protests on street will continue but we also hope that government will self-assess." The protests against corruption and the problems in our system continue to trouble the youth but Kapoor hopes the government, too, will wake up to the reality.

Looking at the brighter side of things, Jha said, "Now we have a young population which is not dependant on the government and it believes in giving its best and demands the best from the government and system that exists."

The director said that today's youth wants changes in the system and demands justice. My film Satyagraha is a dialogue with the youth, it is not based on Anna Hazare but is based on the sentiment of today's youth, he added.

Interestingly, Prakash Jha kept thanking Rupa, which he mistook for Om Books - the actual publishers of the book. It was only later that he realised the mistake and apologised.

When a journalist asked Prakash Jha that he repeats the male actors in his film but never female actresses, the director very diplomatically answered, "Kuch na kuch change toh jaruri hota hai na" (A little change is essential)."

The book features months of hard work, fun on the sets, costume crises, art direction, accidents and how a team of people came together to tell the story of a revolution.

The book, which is published by Om Books International, will hit the stands on September 1, one day after the movie releases.