The Big Fight

To everyone’s surprise,Palekar has shot the film in English. “Every subject chooses the language. The movie is about a high-profile architect and a civil servant and their normal way of communication is English,” insists Palekar,who also had his entire cast stationed at Sikkim for the entire one month of shoot. “The film on one level deals with a man-woman relationship. On the other hand,it talks about unnecessary violence. So we needed a peaceful place to shoot,” says Palekar,who has directed nearly 15 films till now in Hindi and Marathi. Of them,Thodisi Roomani Ho Jaye,Anahat and Paheli were much talked about.

Palekar is aware that And Once Again might bag a 9 am or 10 am slot at theatres,but this is a battle he is willing to fight. “I don’t have the kind of money that is required for film promotions these days. All I can tell people is that I have made a good film,so please come and watch it,” says Palekar,who feels commercial manipulations has marred small-budget films. “There is a different kind of logic applied here. Although mainstream films have been constantly failing at the box office,they are still made at a budget of nothing less than Rs 60 crore,” he explains.

Despite the odds,Palekar will not give up filmmaking. “I don’t go by any pressures,commercial compulsions or market forces. I make films because I want to share a story that I have liked with as many like-minded people as possible,” says the filmmaker. Even as an actor,he was adamant about choosing subjects that challenged. The result can be seen in his films Golmaal,Chitchor,Rajnigandha,Chhoti Si Baat and Baaton Baaton Mein,which have gained cult status today. “I was probably one actor who refused nine films out of ten,” he proudly states. He continues to apply the same parameters even today.

“Even today,I get at least three offers a month. They mostly want me to play the hero’s father. Intrigued,I ask them what my character is going to be and they all seem confused. Until I don’t get a role that challenges me,how am I going to sign any film?” he questions.