In its simplicity and charm and its deep connectivity with the grassroots Prakash Jha’s production Matto Ki Saikil takes us back to the the days of Pure Cinema when movies informed and entertained. Prakash is understandably proud of Matto Ki Saikil, and not only because he gives a sterling performance in the main lead. “It’s directed by a complete newcomer M Gani, a very talented director from Mathura who had no experience in movie making before this. He is a formidable talent , and I was quite happy to be directed by him.”
Prakash is completely invested in playing the title role of Matto a daily wage earner in Mathura who somehow manages to eke out a living for is family of wife and two daughters and for whom a buying a new bicycle is a distant dream.
Says Prakash, “It was a challenge for me to play this character since Mattoo is completely in contrast to who I am. Just getting his body language and spoken language in place was a huge challenge for me.”
Prakash feels Mattoo Ki Sykal must get a theatre release. “It is the kind of family film that will get an audience for an evening show in the theatres.I will release it only when the Covid situation improves. I’m confident my last feature film Pareeksha would have got itself a decent viewership in movie theatres .”
In November Prakash Jha was in the news when The Karni Sena, never known to shy away from controversies, got into action against Prakash Jha’s series Aashram on MX Player, featuring Bobby Deol as a fraudulent debauched Godman.
Prakash Jha had replied, “Who am I to make a judgment on their demand? We had 400 million-plus views for the first season. I think viewers are the best placed to decide on ‘negative goodwill’. Shall we leave it to them?”
Image source: IMDb