Lasyapriya Sundaram (BOMBAY TIMES; May 16, 2018)

For the new generation, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (QSQT) will probably be just another romantic Bollywood film. However, for the generation that was born in the ‘80s, it’s a movie they grew up with. In a way, QSQT and a few other films that followed defined the romance of that era. Even today, scenes, dialogues and songs from the Aamir Khan-Juhi Chawla-starrer remain etched in people’s memories. As QSQT completed 30 years early this week, BT caught up with its director, Mansoor Khan. The reluctant filmmaker, who has made movies few and far between, took us back in time. Excerpts…

QSQT changed the course of Hindi cinema in the ‘80s and ‘90s, in the sense that it revived Bollywood’s tryst with romance. What are your memories of making the film?
More than Hindi cinema, I think I was going through a bad and disturbing phase, and that’s why QSQT happened (laughs!). Otherwise, I would have never made a film, because I didn’t want to. I didn’t think I would be a successful filmmaker, I just wanted to make some films that would appeal to me. It was my dad (producer-director-screenwriter Nasir Hussain) who realised that there weren’t any good love stories being made. He also wanted to launch (nephew) Aamir Khan. At that point, I was scripting Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar and had Aamir in mind for that film. But, Jo Jeeta… wouldn’t have made for a good debut. The period was right for a halfway sensible film and without too many ghoosa sounds (laughs!). And I won’t deny that we made it well.

The love story had a certain freshness, and the audience was taken in by the chemistry between Aamir and Juhi. While the duo showed the youth and their rebelliousness, the supporting characters represented the old-world beliefs. Do you think it was the ideal mix?
QSQT is a perfect mix of my father’s sensibilities and mine. His sense of humour and judgement are intrinsic to the film. Some of the scenes have been filmed exactly the way he wrote it, especially the ones revolving around the Thakurs. I brought in my own sensibilities and wanted to do away with clichés. My dad and I used to have lots of arguments while making the film and, there were days when we wouldn’t talk to each other. Aamir was worried, because it was his debut. Sometimes, I was right and at other times, I learnt something new from my father.

How did you create those unforgettable moments with your lead pair? Aamir and Juhi were relatable and they both made a mark with their first outing...
The credit for etching out Juhi’s character (Rashmi) goes to my dad. She is from a conservative milieu, but she is open enough to let the boy know that she likes him. My dad’s heroes used to be flamboyant. So, I worked on Aamir’s character (Raj). He was a very shy guy in real life and I guess that the role fit him like a glove. Also, Raj had to be someone who didn’t want to hurt his family and Aamir was exactly like that. He was very raw and he has told me that now when he sees the film, he cringes at various points. But Juhi was far more confident. Aamir had screen presence and he more than made up with that.

Having directed commercially successful and critically acclaimed films like QSQT, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander, Akele Hum Akele Tum and Josh, you took a backseat from filmmaking. Why aren’t you helming more films?
I never wanted to make films. I don’t want to make a film just for the sake of making one. I have some thoughts and they are dear to me. If I can convert that into a story, I will direct a film.

Will it be a love story?
Never (laughs!). It will not be a love story like QSQT. I have started writing, but then, I have been writing for the last 10 years or so. Many other things have happened along the way. So, it’s going to take its time.