Vishal Bhardwaj Speaks To Subhash K Jha on Assisting Coppola

Q: How did the opportunity to do two days' direction for Francis Ford Coppola come about?
A: We've a common friend named Mathew Robbins (who wrote Steven Spielberg's first film) whom I met when I was at worshop for Mira Nair in Campala. I was one of the mentors, and Mathew was handling the mentors.

We became friends and remained in touched on the e-mail. He's part of a creative gang in Hollywood that includes George Lucas and Coppola.

Q: So how did they think of you?
A: During one of their Sunday lunches Coppola mentioned to Mathew that he needs to shoot in India for two days but has no contact. Mathew recommended me to Coppola. He then mailed me to tell me to expect a mail from Coppola.

Q: And then?
A: Then I actually received a mail from Coppola. Incredible.

Q: Had Coppola seen your work?
A: No. Since he and Mathew have been friends from childhood Coppola just took his word for it. Now I've sent two of my DVDs to Coppola. When I started getting mails from Coppola every day I was very excited.

I wrote back and told him, 'You don't know what you mean to us filmmakers in India.' When he discussed money I told him not to worry about it. But somewhere it became, 'So what if it's Coppola?' in my heart.

Q: But to do work for Coppola!
A: Come on, it's not such a big deal. It wasn't really any tedious work. It's Coppola's DOP (director of photography) who had to do the shooting. We had to provide the production support. I can't reveal much of the actual shots. But those people came and shot quietly as per Coppola's vision.

Q: Is Coppola making an India-based film?
A: Not India, But a part of the script is located India.

Q: Do you think this kind of proxy shooting is a good trend?
A: Of course! We should trust our assistants and technicians and work in separate units so more work is covered. As soon as he's ready I'm going to produce my Assistant Director Abhishek Choubey's first film. In Hollywood they've a tradition of working in separate units. We'll also start doing the same in Bollywood. In *Omkara* we had two camera units.

Q: Did you tell Coppola you're inspired by him?
A: Why only me? The whole of Bollywood is inspired by Coppola. But yes, only I have access to him. I never imagined my career as filmmaker would be going the way it is.