Aamir Khan presents Lost Ladies at the Oscars | Interview with Sucharita Tyagi from New York

All my colleagues in the film industry who have seen the film and many of them have I really love the movie. You start making phone calls, Aamir, they will do that, no? You know, I don't like doing all this. I'm a little old-fashioned. I believe that the film speaks for itself. - I'm not going anywhere. And it doesn't matter how much you push it on social media or any other platform. Slowly slowly before it That's my favorite. Aamir Kahan has sung. I didn't ask him to sing, he just sang on his own. Mr. Amir Khan, hi, you started to see something You feel so much with Nuyonk Seti Not very Where did you come from? You should be happy, and not if I had a jet. The other video was all that stuff. And I was talking to you today for the video. Arvse, save the lady from us. Let's see first. That your Anish looks at Karan Johar Diljit looks at the other one. Breaks it big makes live when whoever made me too will be made Today he sees well. This receipt is being copied Bipal Goswami is not being heard And I felt she was right for it because the film, the plot itself is very dramatic. And you need someone who's very honest with storytelling. So that the drama actually gets enhanced. You know, when you're really honest with the material. And she did that really well. She did that really well. What's this contest about? And how can more people get to this point where their scripts are reaching you? Where did you find him? I think the contest is off. They did it for a couple of years. It was Anand Mahendra, I think, who had started this, his company. Sinistan script writing contest, if I remember correctly. That's what it's called. And Raju Hirani, myself, Juhi Chaturvedi, and Anjum Rajabeli. They are all here. The four of us were the jury. I don't think it's on anymore. So, there was a little blip. That their script reached someone and the contest got canceled. From a producer's point of view, from a facilitator's point of view and more importantly from a man's point of view, Amir. What do you think is it about Laapata Ladies that's going to connect with the Academy voters when they watch the film here? Well, it's a fairly universal film, I think. Regardless of what culture you belong to, what country or language you speak. It's a film that really connects. I think these are issues that connect across. These women's issues are relevant all over the world. And the other aspect about the film is that there is a man in the film who actually helps the girl. So, at some point males also have to realize that they need to step in and do what is right at the right time. So, it's a movie about that as well. About learning. About learning to be supportive of women who are doing the right thing. So, that's an important aspect of the film. So, I think it will connect. I hope it will connect with members. Have you reached out to all the academy members in India? How many are there at this point? I'm a member of the academy myself. Yes, you are. There are a number of members. No, I haven't reached out to them to be quite honest. I think Kiran has reached out to say that to vote you have to be part of the foreign language committee. Don't you have to opt in to be a part of it? You have to opt in. You have to write to the academy and say I would like to be part of the foreign language committee. And then you have to watch about 15-20 films. So, it's a big commitment that you're making. So, I don't know how many members in India would be able to do that. You start making phone calls and they'll do that. You know I don't like doing all this. I think you should let the members decide what they think is right. And I think they're very capable of deciding which film they like. Speaking of people who are supporting the film and supporting the cause of the film. Who are the people here in the diaspora who are helping you and the film? Well, Vikas Khanna is someone who is a big supporter of our film. He's sitting in a bungalow right now. Yes, he's sitting in a bungalow right now and he's a great guy. And Umeera Nair is coming out in support as well. Umeera is there this evening. I'm meeting her after a long time. So, I'm looking forward to meeting her. So, there is a lot of support for the film and I am really grateful for that. And even Prabal Gurung is helping out at the screening tonight. Have you seen any of the other films that are submitted in the international film category? For the foreign language? No, I don't think I've seen any of them. You haven't seen any of them? No, I don't think I did. Very strong films. Some strong films. Well, they always are. When I was here during Lagaan, I remember the head of the foreign language committee telling me He said usually, well he said about that year but I think it's pretty true for every year. He said that all five films which have been nominated for foreign language, There was Lagaan, there was Emily, there was No Man's Land and Son of the Bride. And there was a movie from Iceland, I forget the name. He said all five films or any of these five films are better than all five films in the best film category. Oh, that's what they said? That's what he said to me. And I think that could be quite true for every year because you're seeing the best from each country. which comes and forms those 80 films. So, those 80 films have already gone through a grueling round of being selected from their country first. So, you can be pretty sure that you're up against good films. Lagaan remains one of the films that has defined contemporary Indian cinema over the last 20 or 30 years. If someone looks at what is the defining film of Hindi cinema that has come out over the last 20-30 years, Lagaan is definitely at the top of that list. So, if he said that these are better than the best feature film category, then that's true. I believe that. I don't remember which films were in the best film category that year but I remember him saying that to me. And I remember wondering, yes, that's probably true because each country sends their best films. So, you're competing with the best from each country. Another thing that has now changed the game for film promotions is digital promotions and marketing and social media and clips and things like that. Do you keep up with that? Do you have a secret Instagram account that you're using to spy? And it doesn't matter how much you push it on social media or any other platform. At the end of the day, if your film doesn't have it, it's not going to make it. From a marketing point of view though, like TikTok and Instagram and everything, You need to be visible on these platforms. Well, I think it's important that the members of the foreign language committee get to see the film. That's more important than what people are saying on TikTok in general, if you want to be nominated. One of the routes that this film took that not many films do is the film festival route. The film premiered in Toronto, which is one of the biggest film festivals in the world. And then its journey kind of started and now it's here where it is. What do you think about sending films to film festivals first before they open to the general public? I think that depends on the film. I think that a lot of film festivals are actually markets for filmmakers to showcase their work and then also to get buyers for their films for different countries. That's how it's been traditionally. For films that we make in India, fortunately I am able to market the films regardless of whether we get a festival release or not or whether someone buys it at the festival. So, I think from a sales point of view, I don't think a lot of Indian films need that. Especially the mainstream producers and directors wouldn't need that. I remember Lagaan's international journey started at Locarno and it won the best film audience award that year. And then from there actually the journey of the film began and we had no idea that Lagaan would be It was loved by an audience outside India, mainly because it was about cricket. So, Americans don't know what cricket is. So, other than the Commonwealth countries where the British had taught the game, Other than that countries don't know what cricket is. So, I was wondering if Locarno's audience is Italian and French and German speaking and Swiss. I really doubted the film would be appreciated or people who like the film to the extent that we like it. But I was wrong, the Locarno audience who knew nothing about cricket just loved the film. So, I think films you can't tell. When it connects with an audience, it connects you. Then there's no turning back. One thing I want to point out here is your association with Ram Sampath But before that he did Satyamev Jayate, Delhi Belly, Pipli and Talash too. Tell me about your association with him. You know, I think Ram is one of the most talented composers, musicians, singers as well. So, he's someone I've really enjoyed working with over the years and he's never let me down. He's always given me the music I've been looking for and he's a great guy to work with. So, I love Ram and we've both done great work together. And including the films that I'm doing now, he's working on a film called Ek Din and he's given amazing music for that. Do you have a favorite song in this soundtrack, Laapata? Yes, I do. I know. Tell me about it. Aamir Khan has sung, I didn't ask him to sing, he just sang on his own. I love to sing, the slightest excuse. Thank you so much Mr. Khan for your time today and congratulations and good luck with everything. Thank you so much. - Thank you. - Thank you. - Thank you.