Censorship is not a valid excuse to not make good films: Rajat Kapoor

While Rajat Kapoor has brought many notable characters to life in films such as Kapoor & Sons, Drishyam, and Pari, it is filmmaking he’s passionate about, “I have no attachment to roles because I don’t take my career as an actor very seriously. My focus is filmmaking; my work as a director is what truly matters to me. I’m happy to take on acting opportunities, but my real challenge lies in directing films.” Excerpts from a chat with him during his recent visit to the city:
‘FILMMAKERS MUST FIND A WAY TO NAVIGATE THROUGH CENSORSHIP’
Amidst recent discussions surrounding censorship and Indian filmmakers’ apprehension of backlash, Rajat asserts, “The ideal scenario is the absence of censorship and complete freedom of expression. So, if I accept that there is censorship in our country, then it’s my job as a filmmaker to find a way to navigate these restrictions and convey my message. As an artiste, I believe in finding alternative means to communicate the same message and ultimately subvert [these limitations].” He continues, “Look at Iran; despite censorship far more stricter ours – they can’t show a man and woman holding hands, they can’t show a woman without a hijab – they still produce beautiful films. We can’t use our censorship as an excuse for not making good films.”

‘ACROSS MEDIUMS, THE ONE CONSTANT REMAINS THE DESIRE TO CREATE’
Having witnessed the evolution of the film and entertainment industry from television to OTT over 30 years, Rajat shares, “Between television, OTT and film, one thing is constant and that is the desire to create something. Of course, a lot of work is driven by money or profit. But if you keep that aside, the medium does not matter. The desire to create and leave a piece of your own universe behind transcends the medium.”
‘I HAVE A SICKNESS THAT KEEPS PUSHING ME TO MAKE FILMS’
Rajat tells us that from a young age, he was exposed to “some of the finest in world cinema”. “Seeing the work of Ingmar Bergman, Jean-Luc Godard, Werner Herzog, and Rainer Werner Fassbinder for the first time blew my mind. I was exposed to some great cinema while growing up” he says, noting that this appreciation for good films continued into adulthood. “I have a sickness that keeps pushing me to make films. It’s a drive that has given me a push in my tough times as well, I don’t know what it is, but there is an immense drive that keeps me going, even today,” he adds