I wanted Saif in Mithya: Rajat Kapoor

You've seen him in commercials, you've loved him in Monsoon Wedding, Dil Chahta Hai and Bheja Fry. But at heart, Rajat Kapoor is still a niche filmmaker trying to rebel against the mainstream. With his next film Mithya ready for release, the actor talks about the renewed interest in his style of filmmaking.

You are returning to direction after a break. What is it in a story that motivates you to direct?

There are hundreds of stories that I want to tell. So there is no fixed reason to choose a subject. But I want to work at a pace of three films in five years. I make my films in a 'handmade' way where I am involved in every aspect from mixing the background score to the final edit. This takes me about 10 months – start to finish, for each film including the pre and post production. You see I really enjoy the entire process of filmmaking, which is why I like complete control in all departments.

How did Mithya happen?

Mithya is a subject I had written in 1998. Back then I had approached Naseeruddin Shah. But no one was ready to back a project with Naseer in the lead role. So I decided that if I could not raise Rs 1.5 crores to make this film, I must put my own money in a smaller project to start with. That's how Raghu Romeo happened. It was made in collaboration with NFDC on a budget of about Rs 70 lakh. And now, finally after 10 years, I have been able to make Mithya.

Do you think the success of Bheja Fry has helped Mithya in any way?

No. Mithya was completed before Bheja Fry happened. So the two aren't related.

WATCH: The MITHYA promo

Sure, but don't you think your distributors might have greater faith in the project now?

Absolutely. And it’s not me alone. I think Bheja Fry’s success has helped independent cinema on the whole. Today the entire industry has greater faith in such films. With Bheja Fry we proved two things: You can make a film without stars. And you can actually make a neat profit too.

When you made Raghu Romeo, you had to raise funds through the Internet. From then to Mithya, have things become easier?

We are living in fantastic times. Trust me when I say this. Sometimes I pinch myself trying to make sense of what is happening. These days I am actually getting about three offers a day to make my kind of subjects. Few years back I would have never imagined that filmmakers like me would see such a time. But things have changed and it's still hard to believe.

Why do some unconventional films work and most don't? Do the rules of clever marketing and engaging plot apply even here?

Interesting storytelling…Yes! It's important regardless of the budget. I also think films that work manage to touch a particular nerve in the society. If a film touches upon the general mood of the people it gets accepted. Five years ago comedies were like poison. Today, people are happy and they want to laugh. Humour in every form sells. But again these are all theories and in reality no one knows why something works or fails.