No one makes a film like Zanjeer anymore: Mahmood Farooqui

After making a film like 'Peepli Live' which was based on the issue of farmer suicides, Mahmood Farooqui, co-director of the movie, now wants to work on another strong subject. His directorial debut turned the spotlight on the harsh realities of Indian farmers.
Farooqui, who was recently in Jaipur for a storytelling session, said he and his wife, Anusha Rizvi, are busy with an upcoming project.“Hamare desh mein aise subjects road par chalte huye mil jaate hain. In par alag se vichar karna nahi padta,” said Farooqui. But he feels cinema caters to the classes rather than masses now. “No one makes a film like Zanjeer anymore these days – a film that talks about the hardships of a common man, for whom making both ends meet is the primary aim of life. Protagonists like the one Amitabh Bachchan played in Zanjeer don’t exist anymore in our cinema. No longer is the angry young man of India considered a hero,” he rued.
As talks veer towards films being made for mutiplex audience, we ask him whether he would like to take a risk by going against the flow? “No matter whether the film becomes a member of the 100 crore club or not, the film which we will make will address an issue of social relevance for sure. It will show the real India to people. I can’t ignore the burning issues that are affecting the society. My movie has to address a problem,” replied Farooqui.