Mohenjodaro is our first civilisation. While scripting the film, I was looking at it as a civilisation set 4000 years ago. Recent developments suggest that the civilisation was set 8000 years ago. So, it truly was one of the very first civilisations. We need to take great pride in that fact and make ourselves aware about what this civilisation was all about, who were the people and what times were they living in. We need to go beyond the little paragraphs in our school textbooks and artefacts stare at us in the museum. My aim was to give it a visual splendour and allow the India of today to get a taste of what it was like to live in the Mohenjodaro era. 

We have all been in awe of films based on Roman or Greek civilisation, filled with grandeur and larger than life sets, but we never gave importance to a civilisation that was set in our very own country. The film does have relevance to today’s times, which I have tried to imbibe in the script. There is a sense of connect, which I hope the audience will have.

What is it about the Indus valley civilisation that attracted you the most?

The very fact that this is about a world that we all don’t know much about is what attracted me most to it. It’s pre-history, an era that has nothing written about. The period comes between stone age & iron age. Somewhere, you can compare that to the period between Nokia and iPhone, which had a Blackberry in between. The tools, implements, their concepts and it’s evolution was still in a very transient stage. I found that very exciting. It was a world where inventions happened. It’s a world where people are still trading with precious stones, like a Lajward (Lapis lazuli). It’s a completely different business module, which was fascinating. So, for me even getting into this era, by the way of this script, was to discover all these aspects.

What were your references for the costumes and looks of the characters in Mohenjo Daro?

All our references for the character looks were the figurines found from Mohenjodaro, Harappa and across all the excavations, even the ones in India like Kali Bangan, Rakhigarhi among others. With the help of archaeologists and the figurines, we imagined each aspect, right from the headdress to the clothes, and then built it from there. Precious stones were mostly worn as jewellery, by both men and women. We stuck to dhoti for men, as it is one of the oldest styles, though the draping style was changed. So, we tried to built things by not just depending on the figurines or our imagination, but also took inspiration from the oldest records that we had. Sites like the Ajanta - Ellora caves and even several frescoes were studied. 

For the sets, we first started off by working with the archeologists. Each one of them specialised in different faculties, ranging from urban city planning, to pottery among others. We did a lot of research with them. Since these were facts, we had to ensure things looked  exactly the same size. The Great Bath that we see in the song Tu Hai, is exactly the same size as it was in Mohenjo Daro. So, we tried to stay true to all the facts that we had in front of us and did justice to it. 

As a director, which project would you consider as the most challenging one?

Without a doubt, Mohenjodaro has been the most challenging film of my career as a director. In the case of Mohenjodaro, I am trying to show how the system started. If you look at  Lagaan, Jodhaa Akbar or for that matter, any other film of mind, you will realise that there are books, research materials available for reference. Be it the British Raj or the Mughal era, you know there is something that you can lean on, and then imagine the rest. Here, 90% of the work involved creating a world with your own imagination, and 10% was available through research, archaeological facts, excavations among others. So, it was humongous. You know, the manners and morals of the society, costumes, structure of the houses among others. 

Any concept that you were keen to explore?

Creating a different world takes a lot out of the director. Now that the film is complete and ready for release this week, what are your future plans?
I definitely need a break before I start working on my next project. It takes time to create a whole new world, and you need the same amount of time to go away from it. You need to get back to a state where the hard drive is completely empty (laughs) and one needs to reboot, before starting something fresh. I have been reading a lot of stuff and toying with some ideas, but haven’t zeroed in on anything particular for my next project.

Love,

The Dancebee

Yes, we are not in an age where people are only bothered about their looks and are constantly experimenting with make up, at least I am not. If you are like that, then its a foolish thing. You are what you are and you will ultimately look your age. Time doesn't wait for anyone, and if there is anyone, then its a foolish thing to follow. I have no problem playing any age or getting into a certain look on screen. If the script demands it, I will do it. You will see me do something different in Kal Jisne Dekha (tentative title). But its not like what the reports suggest (which say that she will be wearing prosthetics in the film). Nitya's approach is completely different and I was completely taken aback.

Ranbir went through a slightly rough phase professionally. With Tamasha creating a good buzz, what are your thoughts?
For an actor, its painful when your films aren't doing well. Every actor must go through a phase of ups and downs, because only then will you appreciate what you have. It helps you become a stronger person. I know Ranbir loves his fans and he breathes, lives cinema. No one can challenge that passion and commitment. These ups and downs have happened in almost every star's life, be it Shah Rukh, Salman or Aamir. I have complete confidence and belief that Tamasha will do extremely well and Ranbir will be amazing in it. I wish the team a lot of success and I am quite sure Ranbir will be back with a bang with this film.

How do you react to the reports about your private life, especially stories about you and Ranbir. Does it affect you?
I have got used to it. Its okay! As long as its not malicious and nasty, I am fine. As far as I can remember, it has happened to be 3-4 times, where the rumours and reports were very nasty. And yes, I have fought back. I am a human being, after all, and being nasty is not a very nice thing. There have been cases where journalists, whom I have known for years, would be nice to me during interviews and then turn around to pass malicious reports. I am not talking about random gossip, where news about me attending a birthday or dinner are floated around. These are the really bad ones, which can hurt an individual mentally. It has happened to me, and I was very disturbed. But for the most part, it doesn't matter to me, because the small reports like getting engaged on my birthday and stuff are harmless. Its sweet, but unfortunately, its not true (laughs). It's a little difficult for me to understand that why would anyone try to hide their engagement or a wonderful thing such as marriage. Nobody will do that, unless the person is extremely private, like Mr. Aditya Chopra may. Like I don't know when he got engaged. But that's not me or Ranbir. What is marriage after all? Beyond all the rituals, its a celebration of two people coming together. So, a celebration won't be a secret. I definitely want my wedding to be a big event. There is so no doubt about it. Its just not happening now. And I don't understand why people get so excited about an actor's wedding or why do they want a woman to get married off quickly? Are we trying to say that every woman's destiny is only to get married? I am tired of saying the same thing, but still, there will be false reports of us getting married. Its weird!