Gulzar on 30 Years of ‘Maachis’: ‘It Reflected the Truth of Those Times’ (EXCLUSIVELY)

Gulzar’s “Maachis,” which recently completed 30 years, remains a powerful portrait of Punjab militancy and its impact on families. Chandrachur Singh plays an innocent man drawn into extremism, while Tabu portrays his beloved, whose longing finds voice in Lata Mangeshkar’s haunting “Paani Paani Re.” Gulzar speaks about the film’s lasting impact, its political themes, and why cinema cannot change society.

How do you recall the experience of ‘Maachis’?
It is one of my most important films. I wouldn’t call it a political film. It reflected the truth of those times.

Related Stories

Keerthy Suresh Reveals Writing Ambitions, Says She Is Not Ready to Produce Films Yet (EXCLUSIVE)

Keerthy Suresh, Radhika Apte Discuss On-Set Pressure In Light Of Rashmika Mandanna’s Comments On ‘Koffee With Karan’ 9 (EXCLUSIVE)

It had a lasting impact.
Cinema can only go this far and no further. We overestimate the power of cinema to change lives. But yes, “Maachis” was, I think, more rooted in the politics of its time than my other films. So many lives, so many families get destroyed in the violence of separatism. “Maachis,” on extremism in Punjab, made a wide impact.

Vishal Bhardwaj’s songs were a huge attraction in ‘Maachis’?
I feel putting songs into it diminished the theme. The same happened with “Hu Tu Tu.” The subject gets diluted. Cinema is market-oriented; you can’t have full freedom to do what you want. Theatre offers a lot more freedom.

Can film violence ever equal the brutality and impact of real violence?
Cinema holds up a mirror. Don’t expect it to reform society.

Tabu had a brief but impactful role in “Maachis.”
Like Jaya (Bhaduri), Tabu ushered an era of acting. She is not just unique, she is also very intelligent and sensitive. I would say she is the best actress I’ve worked with.

After “Maachis,” you directed “Hu Tu Tu,” another political film.
If I had made the film I originally planned after “Maachis” for producer R. V. Pandit, based on Krishan Chander’s novel, this question of repeating myself wouldn’t have arisen. Even though “Hu Tu Tu” was in the same tone as “Maachis,” I don’t think “Maachis” was as political a film as “Hu Tu Tu.”