We Don't Need International Validation: Shekhar Kapur On India's Oscar Win
"I have constantly said this, that we don’t need validation. It’s great to get an Oscar, suddenly the world knows about you, you get opportunities to work internationally...": Shekhar Kapur
New Delhi: Shekhar Kapur is well-known for having directed many critically-acclaimed films in Hindi cinema including the likes of 'Masoom', 'Bandit Queen' and 'Mr India'. Shekhar Kapur's international feature 'Elizabeth( 1998) starring Cate Blanchett was nominated for seven categories at the Oscars. The filmmaker has reacted to India's big win at the Oscars.
In an interaction with Hindustan Times, Shekhar Kapur said, "I was waiting for this! After Elizabeth, which was nominated in seven categories at the Oscars, I was waiting for other filmmakers to take it up, and thank God for that. It’s been years. And you shouldn’t discount the fact that All That Breathes from India didn’t win- a nomination is as good as a win. It’s a beautiful film. So two heartfelt documentaries from India, and a feature film like RRR that has kind of taken the West by storm. It won Best Original song. It was a hardcore Indian, melodramatic celebration of what we do best."
Shekhar Kapur also added that it was important that the Academy also pay heed to popular demand. "It cannot just remain art cinema, then it will fall by the wayside. Rajamouli won in other awards, over directors like Steven Spielberg. Internationally they have opened their arms,” he said.
When asked if we should wait for international valuation before recognising our talent back home, Kapur said, "I think we do, and we shouldn’t. I remember, when Elizabeth was nominated for so many Oscars, everybody said ‘wow look at this director’ I said ‘wait a minute, I am the same guy who made Bandit Queen, Masoom, Mr India. Why am I suddenly this amazing director because the West has come up and said he is amazing?’ I have constantly said this, that we don’t need validation. It’s great to get an Oscar, suddenly the world knows about you, you get opportunities to work internationally. But I don’t think we need validation, and nobody has proven it better than Rajamouli. He has proved it so well through such an indian way of making movies, and made it so celebratory that the whole of West is saying ‘look at this’.”
Meanwhile, the National award-winning filmmaker is awaiting the release of his upcoming film 'What’s Love Got To Do With It? starring Emma Thompson and Shabana Azmi.
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