Harshada Rege (DNA; June 28, 2017)

The Raabta boy is keeping a low profile after the film’s unmitigated debacle at the box-office. The actor is known to disappear after a film release, for some much-needed ‘me’ time. Usually, he escapes the daily grind by leaving for an undisclosed destination. The actor enjoys being a solo traveller. Over to the man who longs for his bi-annual getaways...

On a scale of 1 to 10, how social are you? Are you more likely to go out or stay indoors?
Stay indoors 100 per cent. I will not step out for anything — except for work, meeting people who matter, and going to places that I have never been to. Travelling is something that I really like, but all alone.

You go on holidays alone?
Yes, I do and I really want to do it twice every year.

Do you know which places you want to go to?
To new places. I really want to go to Jerusalem and Mecca. I like the energies there.

So what’s the next destination?
There is this place in Australia and Scotland.

Which place in Australia?
Some desert because there are people who will help you set up a camp. I just bought a really nice telescope and from there, you can see the entire galaxy with your naked eyes. So, imagine if I have a telescope and I am listening to Pink Floyd and smoking, that is bliss.

Taran N Khan (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 20, 2015)

Celebrated Iranian director Majid Majidi, whose film Muhammad: The Messenger of God has landed in trouble in India - earning him and its music director A R Rahman a fatwa from a Mumbai-based Sunni organisation - has strongly defended the film, Rahman, and the need to present Islam in a new light. In an exclusive interview to Taran N Khan for Mumbai Mirror, Majidi, known across the world for his moving portraits of childhood, like the acclaimed Children of Heaven and The Colour of Paradise, said he is surprised that people have raised objections, even demanded a ban, without watching the movie.

Mumbai-based Raza Academy has objected to physical representation of the Prophet, which many Muslims consider taboo, in Majidi's movie, and demanded that Rahman read the kalmas again and re-solemnise his marriage to make amends. Last week, the group wrote to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, seeking a ban on the film. Some clerics at Egypt's Al Azhar University too have sought a ban.

Speaking extensively about how the film, first of a planned trilogy, was made and the many hurdles it faced, the director clarified that at no point in the film is the Prophet's face revealed. "You only see his hands and feet in the cradle as a baby, and as a child from the back," he said.

Referring to Rahman as one of the best musicians in the world, Majidi said that apart from his creativity, the other most important thing for him was that Rahman is an observant Muslim. "And so I thought he can touch the spirit of the film better than anyone else."

Majidi said even when they were recording for the film with an orchestra in Berlin, Rahman would take breaks to offer his prayers.

The film is set in the sixth century and made on a budget of around $35 million, Iran's most expensive production yet. It is also only the second major film to take on the subject, after the 1977 The Message by Moustapha Akkad. Stressing on the need for a new film on the Prophet, Majidi said there have been around 200 films made on Jesus Christ and around 120 on Moses. "Even the other prophets have nearly 70 films made on them.There are 42 films made on the Buddha. For the prophet of Islam, there are only two. I would invite all the religious figures who have condemned the film to first watch it, including the leaders in India. I am sure if they see it with honesty and without pre-judgement, they will love the film."

What was the idea behind making Muhammad: The Messenger of God? What is the main message of this film?
In recent years, there have been many wrong interpretations of Islam in the Western world. They have made very harsh references to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad, for example through the 2005 cartoons in Denmark. At the same time, in Islamic countries, we have seen the rise of extremist groups like Taliban and more recently the Daesh (IS), who have performed acts of terrible violence. They have also created a very horrible image and imagination of Islam in the eyes of the world. All these actions, I feel, are not related to Islam or to the Prophet Muhammad. They are just taking advantage of the name of Islam. I decided to make this film to give the right information and interpretation, and correct the image of Islam. The real idea of Islam is kindness and morality, and respect for human values. If I were to put the film's message in one sentence, it is to show that Islam is the religion of kindness, peace and love.

What were the key challenges you faced while making the film?
For making a film of this scale, there were many problems of administration and logistics that had to be overcome. About 40 per cent of the story takes place in Mecca in the 6th century. So we had to recreate the city to what it would have been 1400 years ago. Added to that was the problem that we didn't have enough sources, not even paintings from that period to help us in this process. We tried to make the location as historically accurate as possible. And now the location can be used by other Islamic countries to make their own productions. (A large part of the film was shot at a specially constructed location called 'Prophet Muhammad Cinematic City', 80 km from Tehran).

Besides this, in other locations we had problems with constructions, with providing costumes and animals, transporting elephants and handling the huge number of people on the shoot, as some days we had nearly 3000 extras present on the site.

On the other hand, we benefited from some wonderful collaborations with people from across the world, including Italy, the USA, England, Germany, India, Serbia and so on. While the film was an Iranian production, it saw a creative collaboration of artists from different countries. So it was a very difficult process, but everything went well!

Who was the audience you had in mind when you thought of making the film?
From the very beginning, I was planning to make it a film for people around the world. At the same time, I have tried to make a film that can overcome the differences between different Islamic groups, like Shias and Sunnis. For this reason I have used all historical resources, from Sunni and Shia references alike, so the film can create a feeling of unification between them. I believe the film can change the way Western audiences feel towards Islam and it can also be a bridge between different Islamic countries. The film has also given respect to other religions like Christianity and Judaism.


How did you get the idea of asking A R Rahman to contribute to the music?
Rahman is one of the best musicians in the world and I was familiar with his work as a composer. He is very creative and the most important thing for me was that he is also a believing Muslim. And so I thought he can touch the spirit of the film better than anyone else. I believe he has done exceptional work on this film, and others who have heard it also feel that it is unique. When the music is released, it will be very well received as he has used all his talents.

I feel Rahman is not only a great musician, but a great spirit. One of the best days of our working together over the past two years came when we were recording with the orchestra in Berlin. At the time of prayer, he stopped his work and offered his prayers. He gave it priority even when working with the orchestra. I learned a lot from Rahman because he respects human values. He is not only my friend but my brother.

What is the response to the film so far in Iran? When can we hope to see it in other countries too?
The film was released in Iran on August 29 and has had a great reception ever since. So far it has been seen by over a million people, which is unique in the history of cinema in Iran till date. It will most likely set a new record at the box office and it looks like it will continue in the theaters for another five months. We are hopeful of releasing it in other countries soon and are already in discussions and negotiations with agents across the world. We hope to release it in India too once we find the right distributor.

What is your response to the controversies around the film, for example the fatwa in India?
Unfortunately, some religious leaders have asked people to boycott the film, as they believe it is not according to the spirit of Islam. I want to ask them, how can they give these opinions or voice such demands when they have not watched the film yet? I also want to ask them: then how should we introduce real Islam to the world? Other religions have made many films on their leaders. There have been around 200 films made on Jesus Christ. On Moses, 120 films. Even the other prophets have nearly 70 films made on them. There are 42 films made on the Buddha. For the prophet of Islam, there are only two. One is called Al Risala (The Message) and was made nearly 40 years ago by the late Moustapha Akkad. The other is mine. I would invite all the religious figures who have condemned the film to first watch it, including the leaders in India. I am sure if they see it with honesty and without pre-judgement, they will love the film.

People have objected to physical depiction of the Prophet Muhammad in the film ...
I have avoided showing the face of the face of the Prophet, which is not seen anywhere in the film. You only see his hands and feet in the cradle as a baby, and as a child from the back. I based this on the opinions of many religious scholars and religious leaders who I consulted, both Sunnis and Shias, and who agreed that it is not a problem as I am not showing the face of the Prophet.

Your message to audiences in India?
I love India and also Indians. I feel there are so many similarities between our countries, which is why I am planning to make my next project in India. I hope to do two productions there in the next two years. I know that Indians and people working in Indian cinema industry know me and my work, and I am grateful for their kindness and attention. Because of my feelings for India, I feel we will be able to do remarkable collaborations.