Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra has just returned from the US after visiting various universities with his pioneering film Rang De Basanti. He shares his experiences with Subhash K Jha

Q: You took Rang De Basanti on this historic trip through the academia in the US?
A: Historic? That sounds too selfimportant. But yes, we did go through the liberal mid-west area of the US. There were two shows also by the Global Rhythm where A R Rahman performed. They were awesome. Rahman was accompanied by a 150-piece orchestra and a full choir.

The trip served as a curtain raiser. After the shows I've a feeling that a lot more inivitations are on the way..Stanford, New York Universities...

It's like the Pune people inviting the film from Mumbai. Rang De Basanti has established its own network all across the world.

Q: Did the students at the US universities understand the indigenous historical references?
A: I was apprehensive whether they'd cotton on. But the US students identified with the film the hilt. I saw no difference between the reactions in Ahmedabad and Cincinnati. I sensed the same indignance and passion, the will to change the status quo, in the audiences in the US. I didn't feel the cultural disparity at all. They associated the political situation in the film with racial discrimination and apartheid.

They spoke to me about how the poor in the US couldn't avail of medical benefits. I think Rang De Basanti is being seen as a parable on corruption and discrimination. The US students told me how the image of America as a cultural melting pot has gone for a toss.

Everyone seemed to identify with the theme of corruption in politics and also the Hindu-Muslim conflict as represented by the characters played by Atul Kulkarni and Kunal Kohli.

A couple of years ago after 9/11 the Americans too had started being suspicious of Muslims. They could empathize with Atul's reformation from radical to tolerant Hindu.

Q: What has the impact of Rang De Basanti taught you about the influence and power of cinema?
A: Yes....that's a question I've been waiting to answer. It's difficult to say something on this without sounding pompous. I had heard about the power of cinema. I had experienced it as a member of the audience.

But while making Rang De Basanti I never thought it was going to connect so deeply and so widely.

After you make a film you see it making such an impact all over the people, you suddenly understand how completely an audiences can love a film, give themselves completely to the cinematic medium. I know one thing for sure.waiting to answer Once you make a film and it goes into theatres it's no longer your property.

Q: But how could American audiences connect with Indian history?
A: The American audience has adopted Rang De Basanti and are willing to learn about Indian history. I didn't know about Che Guevara until saw I saw Walter Salles' Motorcycle Diaries.

I truly believe cinema is one of the most powerful mediums of expression. I saw people enthralled by my film and then watched them discussing it as an experience that takes cinema beyond all prescriptions of entertainment and information. Only cinema can do this.

So far we thought our youth don't think beyond sports shoes and sneakers. The market research and entire tools of advertising have been proven wrong. We totally misread the youth.

The things that touch and move you will always triumph in cinema. And we don't need to stick to the time-tested formula of boy-girl, father-son, romance-drama, etc to get the audience interested. The lesson from Rang De Basanti is so simple. If you can touch the audiences' heart, you can win them over. That's the only magic formula we filmmakers should know.

Q: Rang De... seems to have struck a chord with the youth.
A: I'm told viewers between the age of 16 and 35 constitute 65 percent of the audience for our movies. It doesn't requires brains to know that a film should appeal to that age group. However I won't make a 'youth' film next time just to connect with the target audience. I'll do exactly what the plot dictates.

Q: What next?
We're working on a script called Delhi – 6 about my childhood in Chandni Chowk. We'll see how it goes. I've started work on it. I don't even have time to sleep. In a month I'll know if the screenplay is going where I want it to.

Q: Would you work with the same crew as Rang De Basanti Again?
A: Of course why not? We know the level of work that we accept from all of us. Why shouldn't we carry on together? I'm aware I've a much larger audience this time than I had after my first film Aks. I can't run away from that truth. But I can only do what comes naturally to me.

Q: Today Rakeysh Mehra is a brand name.
A: And I thought I had left the whole experience of advertising behind me. Ha!