16th – 24th JANUARY 2021, Highlights
It is the Fifth Version of Sarfarosh 2 Script which got Finalized: Veteran Film-maker and IFFI51 Indian Panorama Jury Chairperson John Mathew Matthan
“A film-maker today is not compelled to keep romantic songs, it is no longer a marketing requirement”
“Sarfarosh 2 is dedicated to our CRPF personnel”
“I have travelled all over India in search of content for my films. It is important for any film-maker to understand the elements of sociology and politics. I think a writer or director should be sensitive about the society. You can put across your point without being offensive to anyone”.
Also, these are the words of John Mathew Matthan, Chairperson of IFFI 51 Indian Panorama Jury and National Film Award-winning film writer, producer and director. He was conversing with film journalist Faridoon Shahriyar during a virtual In-Conversation Session titled “DO YOU HAVE IT?”, as part of the virtual offering of 51st International Film Festival of India (IFFI), in Goa.
To talk more about the film
Matthan has won the National Film Award for the film ‘Sarfarosh’ (1999). Moreover, which he directed and produced and for which he wrote the story-screenplay as well. Speaking about this film, the maker of more than 200 films said: “Songs have a purpose in movies. At the time when this movie in making, music was a big component in terms of revenue. I did not like the idea of having two romantic songs in the film”.
In this context, he says, in present times, a film-maker is not in compellation to keep romantic songs as it is not a marketing requirement. Reflecting on the songs of the film, he reveals: “The much- in admiration ghazal HoshwalonKoKhabarKya was significant as it conveys a dual message. It threw light on India-Pakistan situation, apart from adding to the love-story. Now, when I make Sarfarosh 2, I may keep a lesser number of songs.”
Similarly, highlighting the iterative process which he underwent while writing the script of Sarfarosh 2, Matthan said: “I wrote the script of Sarfarosh 2 for about 5-6 times, before finalizing it. When I wrote the script, I looked at its criticism and kept it aside. After 5-6 months, I started writing it again and came across new potholes. This is actually the fifth script of Sarfarosh-2”. “You have to have good friends who are critical of you”, added the ace film-maker.
In context to
Revealing more about Sarfarosh 2, he said, it is about the internal security of India. “It shows how India’s security stands strong in spite of various problems”. He informed that he is dedicating the movie to the CRPF personnel, who bear the brunt of these problems.
About his strong liking for Urdu poetry, although he is a Malayali, he said, “Urdu is a beautiful language. From my Muslim friends, I have developed an interest and appreciation for Urdu poetry and ghazals”. The Late Shafi Inamdar was Matthan’s friend. When being ask about his language of thinking, he says it is Malayalam – “My thoughts come in Malayalam, but I cannot write in Malayalam. I write in Hindi using Roman script”.
The veteran also reveals, “film-making is a risky business”. In the case of a particular film, Matthan could just pay back his loan and had to incur some loss.
Additionally, a subject of liking for the veteran film-maker is the evolution of religion and how it has impacted the human race. Hence, he feels life has become much easier now with access to the internet. Speaking about his experience as Jury-Chairman for Indian Panorama, he says, “I saw 180 films and realized how diverse we are”. He added, India is a bubbling active democracy. “This is a country to be embraced and loved”.
For Further Information, please visit:
● IFFI Website https://iffigoa.org/
About IFFI:
The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), founded in 1952, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. Held annually, currently, in the state of Goa, the festival aims at providing a common platform for the cinemas of the world to project the excellence of the film art; contributing to the understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations in the context of their social and cultural ethos, and promoting friendship and cooperation among people of the world. The festival is jointly by the Directorate of Film Festivals (under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) and the state Government of Goa.
