“Wasn’t making a movie that would give you a solution”

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Aanand L Rai reacts to criticism surrounding Arangi Re over mental health issues (Photo credit: Instagram/aanandlrai)

The success of Arangi Re has added another feather in the cap of filmmaker Aanand L Rai, known for directing films like “Raanjhanaa” and the “Tanu Weds Manu” franchise.

Arangi Re, which stars Sara Ali Khan, Dhanush and Akshay Kumar, went the direct digital route and opened up to a positive response from audiences and critics alike.

Although he received a lot of praise, he was also criticized by part of the public for his handling of the mental health issue. But, Aanand L Rai takes it all in his stride and believes that praise and disapproval are part and parcel of a storyteller’s life.

In a recent chat with IANS, Aanand L Rai spoke about his collaboration with Maestro AR Rahman and Southern star Dhanush, the film’s resounding success and the reviews it received.

Speaking of how Rahman is not only a collaborator for him, but also a nurturer of his belief in his stories, the filmmaker says, “Every time I try to do something that is a bit more than me or a huge leap (of faith), I need someone like AR Rahman to give that correct emotion or support to just be the pillar of it. And who else can do it better than the legend himself.

Commenting on the two-time Grammy winner’s shrewd grasp of the stories and intentions behind them, he says, “He’s so down to earth and so humble and there’s so much to learn from him. More than the story, it understands the intent behind it and it understands the soul behind exactly what you ask for. There are times when you can’t describe certain emotions or certain words, but he is so sensitive to emotions that he understands every element of them.

“It’s always a great learning experience, whether it’s in the days of ‘Raanjhanaa’ or ‘Atrangi Re’, how music can help you tell your story better. He becomes an integral part of your storytelling and the main magic comes from him,” adds Aanand L Rai.

Rai is happy that his risk of telling a complicated story in the context of mainstream cinema paid off with ‘Atrangi Re’, “’Atrangi Re’ is a very important moment in my life as a storyteller. I actually went for my most complicated take and was able to reach out to my audience and understand their likes and dislikes.

Speaking of Dhanush, who gave a brilliant performance in the film, he says, “He was a terrific actor when I started working with him in ‘Raanjhanaa’ and he still remains that high-tension actor. He’s such a smart actor and an equally smart person, who goes the extra mile for his characters. To come and contribute with such a nuanced character is something only an actor like Dhanush can do.

Ask him about the criticism the film has received for dealing with the subject of mental health and Aanand L Rai calmly replies, “It’s a free country and everyone is free to express what they want and that’s fine with me. . What I was trying to do was tell a story honestly. It was never actually a creator’s point of view, but the character’s point of view of what he was going through.

Elaborating on the subject, he adds, “I wasn’t making the movie that would give you a fix on mental illness. It’s fiction and the perspective of a female character going through everything (it was featured in the movie). So his attitude is flippant or his point of view is flippant. I created the story from a layman’s point of view and not from a medical point of view.

Sharing what he learned from the success of the film, the filmmaker makes a rather interesting comment on Indian film critics: “What I learned from ‘Atrangi Re’ is that audiences are not as criticism that few significant criticisms. Of course, these opinions are also important. However, they become too smart to prove it to others. What I understood with this film, it is that your history must touch the public and it is what counts for me.

But, do such reactions put him under pressure? “I will never bear this pressure because I know my intention is to reach my audience. Audiences will either like your film or they won’t, it’s not like everyone likes ‘Atrangi Re ‘”, he ends with a humble smile.

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