Prakash Jha's election candidacy on an LJP ticket has sparked off widespread debate & resentment in Bihar's political circles. Prakash explains to Subhash K Jha...

How will you balance politics with cinema?
I've been doing it for years now. I've been working at the grassroots of Bihar even while I was making films earlier. Why should that change now? I wanted a legitimate political position so I could have access to resources for development. God willing if I win I'll be able to do a lot more for Bihar.Parliamentary recognition gives access to a lot more resources.

Your alliance with Ram Vilas Paswan is being seen as a betrayal of Nitish Kumar.
Yes Nitish Kumar and I were friends. We both felt Bihar needed a change and I actively campaigned for him during the last elections. I tried to influence him on policies that would change Bihar, like employment generation, industry.

But please note, I had never joined Nitish Kumar's party, never seen even seen where his office is. I did definitely express my desire to contest elections.

You mean you wanted an election ticket from Nitish Kumar's party?
Yes I did. Unfortunately it didn't work out. So I had to look for an alternative and procure a candidacy from a party that was credible.Ram Vilas Paswan follows an ideology that's acceptable to both majority and minority communities. That's the kind of party I want to be associated with.

Even Nitish Kumar has a very democratic image?
There's no denying that.

Do you think Nitish Kumar has let Bihar down?
Time will tell. But in terms of development, real development which comes from processes of wealth generation...there, I think Bihar has faltered. I don't see that happening.

Yes, there have been a lot of changes in the social infrastructure. But if the Bihar government says there's been a change in the law and order situation that's also because of the will of the common people.

You've been accused of obtaining land at subsidized rates due to your friendship with Nitish Kumar.
That's absolute rubbish. Every protocol and process of allotment was followed. The honourable courts threw out the case against us. We've paid the maximum and fullest price for the land.

I hardly got any help from the government that is supposed to favour me. If they did we'd have been able to build and open those establishments that were supposed to come up on that alloted land.

After investing so much money on it I'm losing money every day. But I'm determined to see those projects to a finish.

Lalu Yadav's brother-in-law Sadhu Yadav says after making a savage critique of the Lalu regime Ganga Jal, you've joined hands with him.
That's his interpretation of the situation. I find it a waste of time to respond to Sadhu Yadav's comments. Ganga Jal was not a critique on any government. It was a critique on the society that prevailed in Bihar. Lalu Yadav's government didn't fall because of Ganga Jal.

How is your rapport with Lalu Yadav?
We share a pleasant rapport. History will remember Lalu Yadav for many things including social equality. My film Damul was about that.

Do you think Lalu Yadav can be the chief minister if Bihar again?
Anything can happen in politics. I'm still new to real politics.

Shatrughan Sinha thinks your problem was, which party not to contest election from?
Choosing a party was never a problem. Like I said I was willing to contest from Nitish Kumar's party.

Why didn't he allow you to?
I'm not too sure of that.

You've worked relentlessly for the betterment of Bihar?
Maybe that worked against me. In politics you seldom welcome formidable companions to grow.

Was it a blow for you when Nitish Kumar turned you down?
Not at all. I have to stand on my own feet. If Nitish Kumar didn't allow me to contest the elections it's because he thought I wouldn't be able to help him. I've been associated with social work and movies for 30 years.

I wouldn't have survived this long if I was doing quality work. The fact that several political parties were trying to get me to accept their tickets proves I'm politically useful. The choice wasn't difficult.

However I won't oppose Nitish Kumar from any good that he does for Bihar.

Will your induction into active politics hamper the fiercely political nature of your cinema?
Never. Cinema is an extension of my politics. Active politics won't hamper my cinema. My new film Rajneeti is fiercely political.Interestingly it's about the fall of a government and the ensuing elections. Strange, that I should be fighting elections while I'm making a movie on it.