Vidhu Vinod Chopra Reminiscences his Career Journey at IFFI
The International Film Festival of India 2024 Goa, is an annual event to celebrate both the art and its makers through variety of events. The event started on November 20, 2024, today the event comprised of “Screenings of international and Indian films, Workshops and masterclasses, and Cultural performances and networking events.
The renowned director Vidhu Vinod Chopra took part in the masterclass event and his session underscored the art of filmmaking and the evolving dynamics of cinema. The visionary and thought-provoking talk of director Vidhu Vinod Chopra at the International Film Festival of India 2024, is getting the attention of the movie makers globally.
Initially, he narrated the zero moments of his life where he brought the courage to confess his dream of becoming a filmmaker to his father whom dreamt about his son to become a doctor.
“I am standing here infront of you all just as I am in my real life. I was told you all just as I am in my real life. I was told to remove swear words from this film, polish up my image… but I didn’t, it’s tough for me. We hide who we really are and keep it to ourselves and show a totally different image outside. Being real is important”
Vinod Chopra then recollected the memories of his first Oscar nomination of his documentary “An Encounter With Faces” (1978), becoming from a director to distributor when his movie “Khamosh” (1989) remained unsold.
“Everybody loved the film, but nobody bought it. The National Film Development Council put in INR8 lakh ($75,000), which had to be repaid or I would not receive further funding.”
Vinod Chopra quoted the most important message to the fellow creators regarding a comment over his 1989 “Parinda”, a crime drama starring Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, and Madhuri Dixit as leads, by an attendee about the National awards.
“You are giving too much importance to the National Awards”
Memories with 12th Fail
He continued his emotional and passionate journey as a cinephile to learn and master the art of movie making by surpassing all the odds and challenging moments in his life. Vidhu Chopra then shared the lovely moments after the success of his recent inspiring movie “12th Fail” Starring Vikrant Massey,
“Can I tell you one thing in return that so many people have told me, including people in Hollywood, that 12th Fail should have represented India at Oscars, not whatever went.
What I care for – did I make a good film, did I not make a good film? So please don’t give so much importance (to awards). Awards are for people outside of (the industry) who are acknowledging you for God knows what reasons. So please don’t bother.”
“Zero Se Restart” – Premiere
Highlight of the event is the screening of his forthcoming movie “Zero Se Restart” which is going to release in theatres on December 13, 2024.
“I think a lot of people do a lot of work, make a lot of money also but I don’t think they are happy. The real joy comes from the fact that you chase your passion, believe in something and then make it happen. While making Zero Se Restart, half the time I didn’t know what I was doing but I didn’t give up and followed by passion and kept doing what I felt was right.
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