Avalokita Pandey
The director of 2014 film, Identity Card, Rahat Kazmi releases a short movie based on Independence Day, with the name, Yes We Can. The film carries Mahatma Gandhi’s message of being the change that we want to see in the world.
In an exclusive interview with Jantakareporter, director Rahat says, “We have to make our approach positive to bring a change in the society, filmmakers should not only show mirror and blame to society but also bring a positive message, this really has a positive effect.”
Yes We Can, talks about the history of India in context to its current scenario. It starts with a quote from Bhagat Singh signifying his dream which was seen by the freedom fighters for Independent India in reference to the reality of today’s India.
On being asked as to what inspired him to make this short film, Kazmi said, “Actually what bothers me is that we all blame our system, but nobody ever thinks that we all are part of that system, if we really want to change the system we have to change ourself first. This film is a positive message to our nation that if we really want a change we have to change ourselves.”
The short film, Yes We Can shows four different situations- of a government office, a biker caught by traffic police on road, a thief at police station and a helpless person struggling with a lawyer’s fees in the Court. It ends on a satirical note but evokes a positive thought to awake society for a prosperous tomorrow.
Quoting messages of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, the film stresses on being the change. The director says, “Today when we talk about developed countries, we see that there people need not be bribed for their daily works. Because the whole society is systematic and people don’t even think about corruption. We let corruption take place in schools to get admissions of our children, we teach them corruption before even we send them to school. We want convenient way outs in our lives, but this is dangerous. So we really have to think and we all should start a change in us, believe me society will change.”
This movie goes way beyond corruption and takes audience by surprise when the officials blamed for taking bribe, actually takes a step forward to help the public instead. The idea is expressed very evidently through a short film of just around nine minutes.
Expressing his idea of making short film after his first feature film last year, he said, “Actually there are several thoughts which keep pinching me, but the problem with a filmmaker is that films is an expensive process and you cannot tell all the stories through a feature film. So I found this idea of making eye opener short films on different subjects. Because nowadays, even renowned filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap and others are making short films. I wanted to make a positive film in society and show that how simple it can be if we change ourselves. Why we keep blaming others. I know practically its not going to happen but if of us bring such small changes in us then the whole world which is becoming hell can turn into a paradise.”
The director thanked Ashok Jain and his partners from Bollykick channel along with his close friend and film maker Tariq Khan for believing in his endeavours.