Veteran filmmaker Ramesh Sippy, the visionary behind timeless classics like Sholay, recently shared his perspective on the evolving landscape of Indian cinema, from the rise of regional masterpieces like Kantara to the new-age Bollywood romance Saiyaara, starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda.
In a candid conversation with mid-day, Sippy emphasized that change in cinema is both natural and necessary. “If Bollywood doesn’t change, it won’t survive,” he stated firmly. “Whatever changes are to come will keep coming quite naturally. Nobody has to say it, they have to do it because they have to keep up with what the people want. That is nobody’s choice.”
Ramesh Sippy gets candid about Kantara taking Indian Cinema globally
With the change in narratives with Kantara takes Indian Cinema globally. We asked Ramesh Sippy about how important is it for Bollywood to focus on change. According to the veteran filmmaker, evolution in storytelling and filmmaking is driven by the audience itself. “A filmmaker must make films with his conviction. And the people will decide whether he’s right or wrong, she’s right or wrong. The filmmakers get to learn from the experience, what was accepted, what wasn’t and they will decide their next project accordingly.”
When asked about formulas or trends that define success, Sippy dismissed the notion entirely. He quipped, “There’s no such thing. You’ve got to make a good film. There has to be a good story, good performances,” he explained. “The music, it may not be songs today, but somewhere in the background, yes. The background score also has to keep the spirit of the film going.”
Ramesh Sippy goes on to praise Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda`s debut film Saiyaara
Ramesh Sippy also stressed the importance of aesthetic and emotional appeal in cinema. “Beautiful actors and beautiful scenes, beautiful moments. If the maker can create all those with the actors, that’s what makes a film connect.”
Turning his attention to contemporary cinema, Sippy praised the new talents of the film Saiyaara, calling it “a beautiful love story beautifully made.”
He further added, “I think Saiyaara is a beautiful love story beautifully made with Mr. Mohit Suri and Mr. Aditya Chopra. Together, they’ve done something marvelous,” he said. “And the two young actors Ahaan and Aneet both of them are fabulous.”
With his invaluable insight, Ramesh Sippy’s reflections underline a timeless truth about cinema that no matter the era or style, must move with the times while staying rooted in good storytelling and genuine emotion.
