Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's Messenger of God is mired in a big controversy. We caught up with the man in question. Excerpts from the interview:
How did you think of making Messenger of God (MSG)?
Look, I am a fakir. Fakirs are messengers of God who are born to spread his message to the world. Frankly, it's a very simple story that I have put on celluloid.
That doesn't answer my question...
We do satsangs. During one such satsang, a few youngsters who were otherwise regulars, didn't turn up. Next day, I asked them the reason for their absence. One of them told me that they had gone to see a film, but there was a quiver in his voice. I was told that their parents didn't like the idea of their children watching films. Suddenly it struck me that why shouldn't I make something that their parents would consider as a source of knowledge (pauses).
Please continue...
MSG is a big film. Many people told me that it will take me more than a year but I finished it in two months.
You took the onus of writing, music, dialogue, screenplay, direction...
I wrote a few dialogues and a few other writers joined in. But yeah, by and large, I was involved with almost every aspect of film-making.
And you had no experience of film-making?
Hum toh insaan hain, lekin jise bhagwan maante hain yeh usi ki den hai. I got into many aspects of film-making- story, screenplasy, dialogue, music and direction. I love doing many things.
Like what?
Interior designing, costume designing, agriculture... I love music. I listen to Rafi saab, Kishoreda and Lataji. My music is hip hop and jazz as well. I have always followed my instinct.
Bikes fascinate you...
I can modify bikes and even cars.
You are referred as Miracle Man...
I am just a man, miracles are done by Him. I am only putting my best forward. I sleep for only four hours. The rest of the time is devoted to people. Recently, I have been moved by acid attack victims. I got many of them married.
Back to MSG. Did you anticipate that your film will meet with so much opposition?
I had no idea that it will be controversial. The film has a simple story with no tones of religion. My film dwells on drug mafia, blood donation and marriage of prostitutes. I fail to understand why there's so much noise against it? Is it wrong to speak up against the drug mafia? Is blood donation a vice?
The Censor Board disapproved of your film...
I was surprised. They said that they didn't understand my film. And then, a fast track mode was adopted in Tribunal.
Did you use your contacts to influence the Tribunal? How did the Tribunal attend to you in two days when otherwise it takes at least 30 days?
I used my contacts with the Almighty. I just prayed to him that I have done this film to change the world and He should help me. And He took care of everything. MSG was sent to the Tribunal by the Censor Board, not me. Why shouldn't the Censor Board accept the Tribunal's decision? Isn't that the protocol? Those from the Censor Board who have objections against the clearing of my film are simply being disrespectful to the higher authorities.
Its' said that you are close to BJP and you helped them in the Lok Sabha election...
BJP's victory cannot be attributed to me. The party's members have done good work, which helped them to win. Narendra Modi is taking up the right issues such as Swachch Bharat, female foeticide and drugs which I have been addressing since long.
Did the BJP help in clearing MSG?
BJP played no role in clearing MSG. The film was cleared on merit.
Have you ever met Modi?
No.
Have you ever spoken to him?
No.
Will you make another film after MSG?
Why not? In fact, I am almost ready with my second film. The film is about the tribal community in Gujarat.
They never wore clothes, they got small kids married and had many blind faiths, they claim to be practising from the times of Eklavya. I went there to observe and change their lives- but they attacked me. However I kept my cool and have transformed them into civil citizens (pauses).
Go on...
If uncivilized people can be changed, why are educated people being so obstinate? And yes, I want people to understand three things which my Guruji taught me:
1. Embrace bramhacharya, celibacy when unmarried and fidelity when married.
2. Treat your age group people as siblings and younger ones as kids. And respect your elders.
Is it easy not to sway in today's times?
I can't says for others, but I can say that for me (pauses). If 5 crore people follow me, it means that it is possible. It's a misconception that controlling your sexual urge proves to be harmful. In fact, you gain inner power in return.
Some Sikhs still haven't forgiven you for dressing up like Guru Gobind Singh...
I had worn the costume of a Moghul Emperor, not of Guru Gobind Singh. I am too small to be so audacious. If I have hurt anybody's sentiments, I apologise.
There are many people protesting against you. Aren't you scared?
No, I am scared of only God.