05 January,2010 08:21 AM IST | | Jyothi Venkatesh
When Mahesh Manjrekar made Mee Shivajirao Boltoy, it was compared to Vinod Chopra's Lage Raho Munnabhai. One had Gandhi appearing in it, the other had Shivaji. Now that VVC's 3 Idiots is making waves everywhere, the director returns with yet another Marathi film -- Shikshanacha Aaicha Gho -- which questions the education system and the pressures faced by students, a la the Aamir Khan starrer.u00a0 Coincidence? Read on...
Your film is a spoof on the education system in our country today?
Shikshanacha Aaicha Gho is not an attempt to criticise our education system. Far from it. What I set out to tell through my film is that students should be given choices to pursue the subjects they are interested in. The subtle message is that the parents of students as well as the school authorities should realise what the potential of the student is and prepare him or her in the fields in which he or she excels.
It sounds like 3 Idiots. Revolving around our education system.
My film has nothing to do Chetan Bhagat's book or 3 Idiots. I completed my film before 3 Idiots was released or else there would have been a controversy that I have adapted my film from 3 Idiots, just like it was said that my film Mee Shivaji Rao... was ripped off from Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Lage Raho Munnabhai.
Why a crass sounding title?
The original title of my film was Satrah Saathi but I changed it because I was worried that people wouldn't come to the theatres thinking it is a serious art film. I do not think the title --u00a0 Shikshanacha Aaicha Gho -- is vulgar or obscene. If Punjabis can use four letter words colloquially, why can't Maharashtrians? I think it is time that we grew up as adults.
What prompted you to make this film?
I know a brilliant boy who was very good in sculpture who wanted to get admission in J J School of Arts but was denied admission because he had failed in his Maths. What has Maths got to do with sculpture? I am a Science failure. What did I lose? Bill Gates was ousted from his school when he was in the eighth standard because he had failed in some subjects. Bernard Shaw had said that the only time when his education was interrupted was when he was in school.
Do you advocate that English should be made the medium of instruction in schools in Maharashtra?
I'd not hesitate to state that English should be made the medium of instruction not only in Maharashtra but all over our country because it is a world language, especially when you go for a job interview.u00a0
You want to educate the audiences through your film?
I want to make audiences aware so that they can stand up and demand a little easing of the are mental, emotional, sociological and physical pressure on school-going kids. These pressures are created by society. It is the parents who get a big complex when the kids of their neighbours get better marks than their own kids. I want not only the parents to watch my film, but also the children because only then they can ask questions about the education system. I also want the Chief Minister to see the film because he alone can bring about a radical change in the education system in schools and colleges today.
Do you plan to make it in Hindi?
Shikshanacha Aaicha Gho is one film I will definitely make also in Hindi, though it is a risk to make film like this in Hindi. Only a star like say Shah Rukh Khan or for that matter, Akshay Kumar can carry that role off as they both have sons and also Salman as he is a dear friend.
