Hichki taught me I have power to make a difference: Director
Yash Raj Films "Hichki" was showcased at the Shanghai International Film Festival earlier this month eliciting a standing ovation from the crowd which was moved by the inspirational story of a woman who deals with Tourette syndrome.
The response Malhotra told IANS via a recorded response: "It reaffirmed that a film made with conviction and pure honesty and heart will touch any language any nation because it s a heart talking to another heart irrespective of language."
He said the audience members had tears in their eyes and a 15-minute conversation which he was given as a deadline by the organisers went on for one and a half hours.
The film starring Rani Mukerji is about a woman with Tourette syndrome -- a nervous system disorder involving repetitive movements or unwanted sounds. She lands a teaching job in an elite school and turns her weakness into her biggest strength.
One audience member asked him: "Why have you shown light at the end of the tunnel?"
Explaining that to IANS Malhotra said: "I chose light at the end of the tunnel because I believe in hope happiness and that responsibility has in fact made a strong place in my head and heart that whatever film I make next I should try and in some way to make a difference... to make people laugh cry. If I can change or touch someone why not?"
He said "Hichki" has taught him: "That I have the power as a filmmaker and as a writer to make a change in people s lives."
Malhotra was also amused but proud when one member of the Chinese audience asked him if Rani had Tourette s in real life.
"I said no but they were not willing to believe me that Rani does not have Tourette s in real life and she is acting... She had done it so flawlessly and effortlessly that I had to convince them that I am not lying " he said.
--IANS rb/nv/vm
