Kabir Khan : ‘Bajrangi’ created space for commercial films in fests

Film festivals and commercial cinema are considered parallel lines but according to filmmaker Kabir Khan his directorial venture “Bajrangi Bhaijaan”, starring superstar Salman Khan, has made the paths meet.

The film, which became this year’s one of the biggest box office success for both Salman and the director, was screened at the 20th Busan International Film Festival and has now made it to the Indian Panorama (Feature) section of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2015.

“Film festivals are not really a platform where mainstream cinema, specially with a superstar, gets showcased.

Commercial films are not designed in a way to be showcased at such festivals. But, I am happy to say “Bajrangi…” has changed it. I am happy that after Busan, it has made it to IFFI,” Kabir told PTI.

The “Phantom” helmer said he was not at all thinking about pitching “Bajrangi…” for film festivals, but getting invited to Busan and now IFFI makes him proud of the project.

“We as a team never considered film festivals as a platform for our movie. With a star like Salman, it was impossible for us to visit various festivals. But I am happy with the response both audience and the fest juries are giving.”

Kabir, who worked with the 49-year-old “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo” actor for the second time, said he was not under any pressure of the superstar image of Salman.

“Filmmakers when make movies with superstars, they become trapped in the image of the star and end up doing stuff that suits the image of the actor rather than the concept of the movie.

“I think that is very limiting and never allows you to make a film that can rise above a certain level. In ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ both Salman and I decided that we are not going to get trapped in that image which worked in favour of the film,” he said.

Salman’s major success comes from his action based roles, but the actor went for an image shift with “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” and the filmmaker feels the decision of keeping the character “real” contributed in making the film a part of the festivals.

“From last eight to nine years Salman has been doing only big action films. In ‘Bajrangi…’ we decided he is not going to beat up, but will be beaten up, that made the character more endearing and real. The fact the character was not dominated by the superstar image of Salman made it acceptable commercially as well as in festivals.”

Inputs by PTI