Aditya Chopra has been a mythical figure, there have been so many articles about him whether he exists or not because he is such a recluse. But you actually managed to get him on camera for an interview after twenty-five years. How did you convince him? It was definitely not an easy process. I think the only obstacle in this whole process was getting Aditya Chopra to talk to me. But I think we’re just getting started, with some background conversations, just to get more so I can get more context in terms of the story of the movies and family and everything. And then slowly, getting everyone in the family to talk. I spoke to Uday and Mrs. Pam Chopra. And lastly, I told Aditya, let’s just record one interview. You don’t have to let me use it, but you can put it in your archives. In 100 years someone will be able to find it. But since we’re here, we’re filming all these things, we’re telling your family story, we’re filming something. So he reluctantly agreed. You know, first he said audio only, and then, I said, well, the camera’s here, let’s turn it on. And then he accepted. And after that, he still said no, you can’t actually use him in the series. You can just use it for basic information. And then finally we were editing the series and when I showed it to him later, much later, it was very clear how important his presence was, in telling the story, especially the story of his father, Yash Chopra. I think because of the respect he has for his father, this series is really a tribute to his father’s legacy. He then reluctantly agreed to allow him to stay.
Will we also see Rishi Kapoor, maybe in his last interview?
We actually spoke to him in 2020. That interview was done a month before he passed away. It was such a special day. It was such a special interview, probably one of the most memorable I’ve done this whole series. You know, he obviously had some health issues at the time, but seeing him on set that day when we filmed his interview of him, you never could have guessed we’d lose him a month later. He was full of life, gregarious, eager to talk, he had so many stories to share, so many memories. He was so kind to his time. I think we talked for three hours. It was like he took us in a time machine, talking about the early days of his career and of course his relationship with Yash Chopra and the films they made together, including Yashji’s latest film, Jab Tak Hai Jaan. So just seeing the length of their careers, together, their lives together was pretty amazing. Plus he’s the most charming man and he looked amazing. He was wearing this amazing purple suit and was just eager to talk. Having his amazing wife, Neetu Ji, with him was an absolutely wonderful experience.
But he was also known to be an overseer. Was it difficult to convince him for the interview?
It really wasn’t. He agreed to do the interview because it was for Yash Chopra. But once he was on camera, it seemed like he had nothing else in the world to do but talk and remember. He made it very easy for me as a director and as a person who interviews him. We have just had a wonderful time. In the end, it’s a four part series and I couldn’t use everything we talked about. But there is so much more and I kept looking for places to put more and more Rishi Kapoor because it was a special interview. He wasn’t running out the door or anything.
What’s your favorite YRF movie?
I have to say Chandni. I just reviewed it last week. I have no reason to watch it again now because I’ve probably seen it 25 times by now, over the course of the making of the series and before that. But it’s just one of those movies that I never get tired of. I love watching it. Sridevi’s performance and just his energy is something else. She has never been better, in any film. She was absolutely amazing, a revelation. It’s probably my number one film and then there’s DDLJ (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge). I tell those people who are interested and curious about Hindi movies to watch those two movies. It’s the perfect introduction.
