New Delhi: Atlee Kumar has delivered 2023's biggest hit 'Jawan' starring Shah Rukh Khan. In a conversation with Radhika Bajaj, Atlee shed light on his journey from an AD to a film director, violence in his films and his upcoming Hollywood project.
The third edition of the 'Ideas Of India Summit', an ongoing series of events organised by ABP Network, began today, February 23, with Day 1 of the engaging summit. Notable people from an array of fields will be there during the two-day event.
'Jawan' director Atlee was among the many celebs who joined the conclave. In his session titled 'How to make a blockbuster', Atlee spoke about his successful filmography; the hit films he's been directing down South and now in Bollywood with Shah Rukh Khan's 'Jawan'.
In a session moderated by Radhika Bajaj, Atlee spoke about 'Jawan', his journey as a film director, his upcoming Hollywood project and superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
Here are excerpts from Atlee's conversation about his big Hollywood project, violence in his films and his journey from an AD to a film director.
On Recalling The First Day On A Film Set
"Yes, I rememeber. It was with Rajinikanth sir in the film called 'Robot'. The first day, I was just mesmerised. Miracles always happen to me. I worked with India's biggest director, Shankar sir, as an AD, with Rajinikanth sir, with Thalapathy Vijay sir and now Shah Rukh sir. This is my filmography. Yes, miracles keep going."
Is A Hollywood Film Happening?
"Yes, its happening. It took me eight years to reach Bollywood, maybe in next three years, you will see something there, a great announcement out there. "
On Violence in Atlee's films
"Why does a news channel carry violent footage? To show the world the truth. Violence for what purpose? For eg in 'Jawan'. We have read about farmers suicide alot in newspapers. We may have passed the paper but as a filmmaker, I am also a media person. I am also a part of you. I have a voice. When I visually show how a farmer suicide is happening, and its gets stuck on your heart and it brings some change, so I am using my voice."
"So sometimes, violence is like doctor's injection. It is for better cure, you can't treat all ailments with tablets. That's the reason we have violence. It is not to provoke anyone. For eg: in my films, if a dog is being shot, a person who attacks animals is a criminal." Atlee added. "I want to teach the generation that if anyone does anything wrong to a dog or a pet, he is not a good human being. Unfortunately all this falls in the caption of violence but it is the 'bitter truth'."
Catch all the action on ABP Live at ABP Network's Ideas of India Summit 3.0
Ideas Of India Summit
The flagship event of ABP Network, the 'Ideas Of India Summit', unites the greatest minds on one platform to talk about the numerous parallels and stark differences that define the largest democracy in the world. 'The People's Agenda' is the theme for the third edition of the annual event, which takes place on Friday, February 23, and Saturday, February 24.
The ideas and concepts that drive India were brilliantly presented in the first two editions under the themes of 'Naya India' and 'Open-Minds Open Minds', and the third edition seems to be no less.