Q: Deepa, you yourself have repeatedly been a victim
of cultural and political tyranny. Does that give you a
sense of empathy with Rushdie?
A: Any human being with even an iota of sense would feel
rightfully indignant for Rushdie. Empathy is a given.
Q: Your "Fire", then "1947: Earth"
were gagged. Do you see any radical difference in literary
and cinematic gagging?
A: All gagging, whether in literature, cinema or art is
identical. It's referred to as the lynching of freedom of
expression.
Q: In a way, your destiny as a creative artiste
runs parallel to Rushdie's. Your "Water" was not
allowed to be made in Varanasi...Rushdie not allowed to
be seen or heard in Jaipur. Do you see a pattern there?
A: I am not a great believer in destiny. The point is,
despite the protests, "Water" did get made. And
despite all the protests Rushdie will be welcomed and celebrated
in the land of his birth by folks who appreciate the written
word and are not small-minded bigots…As the ad for
freedom of expression goes, they can burn books. They cannot
silence his voice.
Q: You've now collaborated with Rushdie on "Midnight's
Children". How do you think the recent controversies
surrounding the author would impact the film in India?
A: "Midnight's Children" is chosen as a Booker
of Bookers. It's a novel that is deeply loved by millions.
Its author has often said the book is his 'love letter to
India'. I think the film captures Rushdie's deep affection
for India.
Q: Even "Midnight's Children" couldn't
be shot in India. Any regrets?
A: None at all. The film spans from 1917 to 1977. The urban
Indian landscape has changed so greatly. It would have been
difficult in India to find the locations we needed for the
film.
Q: Both Mira Nair and you wanted to shoot your
current films partly in Pakistan. But couldn't. Do you feel
it is growing progressively tough for artists in the so-called
Third World to express themselves?
A: We never wanted to shoot "Midnight's Children"
in Pakistan. After the failed attempt of trying to film
"Earth" in Lahore, we didn't even consider it.
Hmmm...it depends on what the artists want to express, and
what category the artists fall into… NRI or not, controversial
or not, influential or not, kow-towing to the West or not,
if your father-in-law's grand nephew is owed a favour by
a minister or not….it gets complicated and messy in
India.
Q: Do you think the Western world is more tolerant
to creative freedom than India and the Orient?
A: I don't know if tolerant is the correct word. Creative
freedom is a given in most Western countries..
Q: What is the progress with the post-production
of "Midnight's Children?"
A: Getting there.
Q: What release plans?
A: October 2012.
Q: Finally, do you think you'd face problems in
releasing "Midnight's Children" in India?
A: None at all.
BOLLYWOOD 
