“The dynamics are completely different” said renowned filmmaker Ketan Mehta who has worked with Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan at early stages of their careers. “I enjoy working on both sides of the divide. Actors like Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah and Paresh Rawal brought a fresh energy, which was fascinating and addictive; it galvanises you”. Ketan said that he enjoyed the challenge of working with stars like Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, both “fascinating and incredible to work with, and have always stretched themselves to give their best. The bigger the challenge, the better it is…..”
After an exclusive screening of Mangal Pandey - The Rising (2005) for the 300 students of Whistling Woods International, the director answered the many questions put by them on his epic film on the 1857 Indian Mutiny. As for the subject of the film, he stated : “I waited 17 years to make this film which is a metaphor- a mirror held up to the world we are living in today’’.
In a free-wheeling talk with the students, Ketan, a graduate from FTII, Pune, relived his long journey, beginning with his ground-breaking work in television in the early days, and going on to award-winning films like Bhavni Bhavai (1980), Holi (1984), Maya Memsaab (1993), Sardar (1994), Mangal Pandey-The Rising (2005). Ketan believes that his latest film Rang Rasiya (2008), on artist Raja Ravi Varma, too is “a metaphor for creative freedom, with the same issues coming up in our times”.
And, finally a message to the students at Whistling Woods, from the prolific and articulate filmmaker: “What an inspiring space! I am sure great dreams will emerge out of here. I can hear the whistle in my head”.