|
The movie promos might give the impression that 'Rann' is a media bashing film, but director Ram Gopal Verma and Amitabh Bachchan insist that the film actually shows the press in a good light.
The Big B and Ram Gopal Varma were at their best in Delhi on Tuesday (January 19) as the held a press conference in the capital to promote their next release 'Rann' which is about the news media industry.
'Rann' has often been assumed to be a typical RGV expose flick on the Indian press - and that is an image that the director-actor duo are obviously very keen to break. However, some tongue-in-cheek statements kept reporters guessing.
Varma, was caught in a crossfire after he showed a series of vox pops of the common people taken by his crew, in which they spoke against the media.
"I have made the film with a lot of love for the media. I love the media," asserted Varma, which got some laughs from his audience and led the director to add in an aside to Bachchan, "See sarkar nobody believes me!"
"There is a wrong perception that 'Rann' is a media bashing movie. The video is just an anecdote and has got nothing to do with the film," Varma continued when he was questioned over the intention behind the vox pops.
The video clip was strongly objected to by the media present at the press conference but Bachchan with his characteristic charm diffused the situation. While the Rann press meets have been held on and off in Mumbai too, the capital's cold climes seemed to have brought out not just some cool threads, but also the wit of Ramu and his Big Muse.
""I don't think that media is bad. I have dressed well to meet you. I am wearing a nice tie and have put on make-up to hide my wrinkles," Bachchan quipped, switching on his charm at every level to a somewhat disgruntled press that his film is not 'anti-media'.
"The media will be proud after watching my character in the film. My role is that of a good anchor, he is a man of integrity and truth. I personally feel very proud to have done this movie," said Bachchan.
The 67-year-old actor plays the role of a media baron Vijay Harshvardhan Malik in the movie who fights for the truth to be presented.
On a serious note, the megastar said that the film was merely a drama with a backdrop of a electronic news channel and it had nothing to do with reality. (More)
"Media is the conscience of democracy and the country. but it also a business. Sometimes you have to compromise with the conscience to gain profit. The film shows this struggle," Bachchan said, adding that 'Rann' will offer "poetic justice" in the end.
When asked about repeating his on screen name of 'Vijay', the actor joked, "Initially my name was Harshvardhan but I told Ramu to put Vijay. So that the movie does well."
The actor, who is an avid blogger, also denied that he uses the medium to criticise the media.
"It is an amazing medium. I can reach my fans without going through you. I don't use it against media but when I feel that something is not right, I just try to correct, which is my right. I also talk about the good things that media does through my blog," the actor said. The film also stars Riteish Deshmukh, Gul Panag and Rajat Kapoor.
So is Rann an expose or an entertainer? See for yourself when the movie releases on January 29.
|
.gif)
