Bell Bottom Director Ranjit M Tewari Says No Cinematic Liberties Were Taken In Depiction Of Late Indira Gandhi On Screen
'All characters in the film have been dealt with maturity from our end,' Bell Bottom director Ranjit M Tewari has said
Director Ranjit M Tewari’s spy thriller, Bell Bottom released in theatres today. Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, the movie received a positive response on its opening day. Starring Akshay Kumar, Vaani Kapoor, Lara Dutta and Huma Qureshi, Bell Bottom is inspired by a true event. Director Ranjit’s outing was also talked about for Lara’s portrayal of former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi. Prosthetics artiste Vikram Gaikwad and his team just amazed everyone with their work. The transformation of the former Miss Universe into the Iron Lady of Indian politics was unbelievable to say the least!
Ranjit, to this end, asserts no cinematic liberties were taken when it came to Indira Gandhi’s character. He told PTI News, “We have been extremely responsible in writing that character. We didn’t think, ‘For cinematic liberty, let’s do this.’ We were sure where we were going with that. The CBFC has also passed it without any cuts.” He felt probably taking cinematic liberty would have given rise to questions and problematic scenarios. “There was no requirement for us to get into a space where unnecessary questions and problems are created. There was no requirement in the script. All characters in the film have been dealt with maturity from our end,” added the director.
Writer Aseem Arrora, along with Parveez Shaikh, approached the director with the idea of Bell Bottom in 2019 -- after coming across a real incident in an article and book. “I’ve always been fascinated with the spy world since my childhood because they are the unsung heroes no one knows about. They take so much risk, there’s so much happening in the spy world. So, it was extremely interesting for me to tell this story,” Tewari added.
Speaking about the entire idea of getting this spy thriller to screen, he said, “I make films that come to my heart. So while making it, I didn’t think about chest thumping at all. There’s no manipulation. I am not manipulating you to feel a high.” ALSO READ: Bell Bottom: The Akshay Kumar, Vaani Kapoor and Lara Dutta Starrer Open To A Roaring Response In The Theatres - EXCLUSIVE
“If the character is such, a moment is such that it requires a certain thing, it comes organically. If I have to show tricolour and it is required at that particular time, it will come organically."
Ranjit Tewari, who had assisted on Akshay Kumar’s Patiala House, praised the actor saying, “Akshay sir brings in with him tremendous experience. He sat on the script several times, had multiple discussions. He’s not trying to do anything beyond the film’s world. All his efforts are just to make the script better.” ALSO READ: Mahesh Bhupathi Roots For Wife Lara Dutta's Bell Bottom; Shares Unseen Photos From The Sets Of The Film
Bell Bottom was released today in certain parts of India, excluding Maharashtra as theatres remain closed due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Image Source: Instagram/larabhupathi/ranjitmtewari
