‘I have to exist’

‘I let go of people I didn’t need. This is survival,’ voices Yash Chopra

“When things are tough,you have to take tough stands,and I have to exist,so I had to let go of those I didn’t need,” Yash Chopra gets down to business and clears all the speculations hovering over the ‘pink slips’ at Yashraj Films. “It’s recession,and I have to make my company run,” the legendary filmmaker gets candid. In town for MCM DAV’s annual prize distribution function,Chopra shares how films have been affected with the economic meltdown. “Take for example advertising a film…you cannot imagine how expensive it is,and on top of that,multiplexes want their share! We want a better revenue sharing model,we deserve it for today,the business is limited to only an opening. The film earns a maximum for two weeks,the money is only in Friday,Saturday and Sunday,” apart from the weekend business,Chopra adds how the international market too is centered in three places: US,UK and Dubai. “It forms just 20 per cent of revenue,and it’s Dubai where we make most money.” But it’s not the money that makes a film,it’s talent. As he gears up for this year’s Yashraj releases including New York set against the 9/11 backdrop,another tie-up with Walt Disney for an animation,Chopra’s happy that India has made to Oscars. “But Oscar is not the end all of everything. There are far better films which never make it to the Oscar for their method of measuring a film is quite different. One film never makes no difference. It just opens doors,” Chopra feels the greatest reward is when audiences declare your film a hit. “So let’s just enjoy all kinds of films,for it’s not a question of how big or small,it’s whether you’ve made your mark,” says the self-confessed ‘conservative filmmaker’ who has no intention of re-inventing a ‘Devdas’,but ready to take down those who attack films. “Look at what happened with Aaja Nachle,one word in one song and the state bans it! Take the case of Billu Barber! If the Censor Board has passed a film,no group or state should have the authority to interfere.” Correct,but in a democracy,that’s debatable Sir.