If there’s any production house that’s dominated Indian cinema this year it’s UTV Motion Pictures. For 2008, they have a 100% success ratio, with every single one of their films emerging an earner at the box office. Most importantly, all their films boast of excellent quality that continues to break boundaries in Bollywood. With excellent films like A Wednesday, Jodhaa Akbar, Mumbai Meri Jaan, and several others to their credit, UTV has rapidly emerged the production house of the year. This Diwali sees the release of one of their most glamorous films till date – Madhur Bhandarkar’s Fashion. In an exclusive chat with BollySpice, Executive Producer and COO of UTV Rampage Motion Pictures Ram Mirchandani speaks about UTV’s fashionable Diwali release.
What was about Fashion that made you sign on as producer?
The very subject of Fashion seemed all encompassing, exciting and new with a director as talented as Madhur at the helm. The treatment we envisaged was bang on.
In the past you have been associated with highly critically acclaimed films such as Aamir and Metro, is Fashion following this same trend with similar characteristics?
Yup, Fashion has a huge canvas with a very strong story-line. The subject matter lends itself to shhen, glamour, very high production values and snazzy contemporary editing.
What do you have to say about the cast? It seems like they’ve done an incredible job.
Outstanding. Each of them, Priyanka, Kangana, Arbaaz, Arjan and Mugdha gave mind blowing performances. Next year all awards in the Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Debutant Male & Female categories will be theirs.
What sort of relationship do you think is healthy between a director and producer? Do you think a producer needs as much creative insight and feel of the project as the director does?
Totally and completely, and that’s why we thought it fit to spend 20 crore on a film with a leading female actress playing the hero. Also, the producer essentially needs to be a creative producer in terms of script sensibilities, value addition in terms of look, styling, scale, etc., post production innovations, and cosmetizing.
Do you think Fashion will be able to stand up to competition like EMI and Golmaal Returns?
EMI is pushed to [be released] later. Both Fashion and Golmaal will max the box office.
What’s your favourite song on the album?
‘Mar Jawaan’
Which is your favourite Madhur Bhandarkar film other than Fashion?
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UTV has a 100% success ratio this year. Does that increase the pressure for Fashion to work?
Yes it did, but after we saw the film three weeks back there is absolutely no pressure. It has to rock.
As a producer what do you look for when you are deciding on which projects you’d like to be a part of?
A fabulous script, an able director and the right budget.
What do you see as the key development strands for Indian cinema in the next five years? Multiplexes? Downloading? Merchandising? TV drama?
Multiplexes and revenue streams accruing from new media.
Do you believe South movies are going to be the next big growth area in Indian cinema?
They already are. The best stories are told in Tamil cinema. Their technique is fabulous and their directors are master craftsmen. It’s a rapidly growing industry.
What do you have to say about the amazing performance UTV has had this year. Which has been YOUR favourite film that UTV released?
Mumbai Meri Jaan
Can you give us a sneak peak into any UTV films that are coming up?
Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye! on November 28th.
As they await their latest release with bated breath, UTV also has several other projects lined up to close the year. We at BollySpice congratulate Ram and the rest of the team at UTV for constantly churning out great films for our viewing pleasure. For now, get ready to immerse yourself in the world of glitz and glamour with what promises to be an entertaining, glossy yet power-packed film. Arrive in style this Diwali—go see Fashion!
