Good story, director’s vision make film successful: Bhatt

Film-maker celebrates success of Aashiqui 2 with team.

MUMBAI: Film-maker Mahesh Bhatt says a film works at the box office only if a director is able to translate a writer’s vision onto the screen. He feels stars can add to that.

"We confuse ourselves by thinking that stars have the power to deliver blockbusters,” said Bhatt. “If the story doesn't work, if the director does not translate the vision that is embedded in the story with the adornments that the film needs, there are no chances of it coming anywhere close to success.”

Bhatt is widely known for directing films like Arth, Saaransh, Zakhm and Naam, which were high on content.

He is also famous for launching new talent under his banner Vishesh Films, and has this time roped in relative newcomers, Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor, for Aashiqui 2.

Directed by Mohit Suri, the INR120 million romantic-musical saga grossed over INR200 million during its opening weekend.

The film-maker, who was speaking at the success party of Aashiqui 2 on Tuesday, gives credit to writer Shagufta Rafique and the entire team for the success.

“What made the film work was the magic that came out from Rafique’s heart,” said the 65-year-old film-maker. “Shagufta has a very unusual background. She is the salt of the earth and pulled the narrative from her heart.”

Bhatt continued praising the writer and the rest of the team for Aashiqui 2’s success. “The way she narrated the story to us, we knew it had the throb and love of life,” added Bhatt who has also produced films like Gangster,  A Love Story, Murder and Woh Lamhe.

“First it [narrative] was pulled out of the heart, then Mohit came and added a dimension to it, gave it a soul with the music and the singers, and actors gave life to it,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2013.                      

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