Kalki 2898 AD filmmaker Nag Ashwin who began his career with Yevade Subramanyam, completes 10 years as a director this year. During a recent interview, the filmmaker spoke about how he sees filmmaking as a responsibility, and why he doesn’t show characters smoking in his films.
Addressing the subject of cinema’s influence on society in a podcast session with Dr Priyanka Reddy, Nag Ashwin said, “Does cinema change or affect people? Yes. It’s ridiculous to claim to claim it doesn’t. It can definitely induce people towards some actions.”
The filmmaker said he doesn’t like to incorporate smoking visuals in his movies for the same reasons. He added, “I try my best not to have cigarettes in my films, or show characters smoke. Like during my teenage, when I watched heroes watching in slo-mo and smoking, I thought it was cool. I know how it can affect kids, it affected me too. It’s an easy thing for people to pick up as a habit, and I am conscious about it.” Nag Ashwin reflected how none of his films, including Jathi Ratnalu, where he served as a producer, had characters who smoked. He added, “There is just one scene in Mahanati, where I had to show Chakrapani’s character smoke — he was a chain smoker.
Nag Ashwin spoke about how he feels more conscious because of his son Rishi, stating, “I am also extremely conscious of what Rishi watches. If there is a scene of a hero slashing bad guys on screen, I wouldn’t want my kid to watch it, and I don’t want to make that.”
The Kalki 2898 AD filmmaker spoke about the responsibility of cinem towards cinema. “As an artist, you should not be restrained by anything. You should have the freedom for your creative expression, even if it includes drugs, violence and sex. But you should know that it’s a responsibility, and as an artist you can’t wash your hands off that responsibility.”
Nag Ashwin also provided an update on Kalki sequel. “We hope to start shooting by the end of this year. The shoot will take time, and post-production usually takes longer. Hopefully in another 2 or 3 years.” he said.
