Gives a spin to promotions by interviewing Lalu, hopes to also seek an audience with Modi, Kejriwal, Rahul Gandhi
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 18, 2016)
Irrfan Khan admits that he is in distress when promoting a film because it's one aspect of film making that he finds boring and extremely exhausting. “I hate it!“ he exclaims, admit ting that it's a huge burden on smaller, trend-setting films because unlike in the South, in Bollywood there is no ceiling on publicity budgets. One could end up spending plenty in an effort to reach out to people with the same formula without knowing if it's effective and, in the process, render the project non-viable.
Working with a limited budget for his upcoming film, Madaari, which he has co-produced with wife Sutapa Sikdar, Irrfan has given an innovative spin to the marketing game plan. He is using the social media to reach out to not just prospective viewers but also politicians like Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister and national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party, Arvind Kejriwal, former Bihar CM and president of the Rashtriya Janta Dal, Lalu Prasad Yadav and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking for an audience with them.“Our film is inspired by a real life incident and reflects what is happening around us. It doesn't talk about a particular problem but raises questions about the system and how it works. And since these are some of the people who run the system, I've decided to go to them with the queries and concerns of the common man,“ explains the actor, pointing out that one of the most basic concerns is accountability. Pointing to potholes, he says that they are the subject of TV discussions every year, but never is the contractor who built the road penalised. There are no fines or cancelled contracts. “Barsaat aati hai aur chali jaati hai and no one is held accountable. No one knows how much money was allotted and where it went. So many questions and no answers,“ he grouses.
He's already engaged in a live chat with Lalu in Patna. Did it spark hope of any change? “He said what he had to, nothing new, but he's one of those who have retained their sense of humour and people like that. But he's not the only one running the system, there are many. Politics is about serving the common man and when it becomes business, it becomes a concern for everyone,“ he reasons.Irrfan's off to Delhi today and hopes to meet some more netas. “I've written to Arving Kejriwal, Rahul Gandhi and Modi saab too. Whoever calls me, wahan chala jaoonga,“ he shrugs, admitting that Madaari was a tricky film and tested them in many ways, “Even when we were cutting the trailer we didn't know how to shape it and eventually went with the thriller. But it's not just a revenge drama. The trailer doesn't offer a glimpse of the intense emotional drama. You'll see.“