"DAAG" will have high voltage drama''

Interview of Ramakant Prasad



Today the name Ramakant Prasad is synonymous with super success in Bhojpuri film industry. After all he is the producer who has given three hits in a row. With his third film "Deewana" he has completed the hat-trick of successful films. Earlier his other two Bhojpuri films "Didi Tohar Devar Deewana" and "Lagal Raha E Rajaji" ruled at the box office and now his latest offering "Deewana" has completed 50 days at 21 theatres in Bihar and the film is marching towards the coveted mark of 100 days. This prolific producer talks about his success and his future plans.
With Deewana you gave three hits in a row. Whom do you attribute your success?

Well, first of all I give the credit for my success to Almighty. He is the one who rules the world. I worship Durga Mata and that's why I have named my banner Kumari Mai Movies. Kumari Mai is the name of Durga Mata.Coincidently Aadishakti Entertainment is the presenter of my films and Aadishakti is another name of Super Power. The Godess is kind to me and I too work very hard on my films. I am not the type of producer who totally depends on the unit hands. I actively participate in all the departments of my films. I would like to give the credit of my success to my star Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua' as well. With his full co-operation I complete my films on time and release it as per schedule. He is very co-operative and has played a major role in my success.

You are a distributor as well. How much it helped you to make successful films?

Well, it helped me a lot. As a distributor I have released over 125 films in Nepal and my this experience have tought me a lot about the likes and dislikes of an audience. I know well what a common man wants to see on screen.Audience like to see novelty on screen. I don't believe in churning out the routine stuff. Every time I try to give something different to my audience. Take the case of 'Deewana'. In this film I presented five heroines opposite the hero. This was not done earlier. In the publicity of it I have shown my hero holding a guitar while in most of the publicity of other Bhojpuri films you will find the hero either holding gun or laathi.

As a producer did you expect that 'Deewana' will be such a big hit?

When we were working on the script I had an inclination that the film be a big hit. We really worked very hard on the script. I always make it a point to do lot of homework before taking the film on floor. Before starting the shooting all is in your hands to make the film better and better so we worked very hard on papers . I must give credit for this to my writer Santosh Mishra and also to my director Rajkumar Pandey for transforming the story on screen beautifuly.The music of music director Ashok Kumar also played big role in the success of this film.The two songs 'miss call..' and 'ladai le akhiyaan..' are rage in Bihar".

As a producer what is your success mantra?

Dedication and hard work is my success mantra. My experience says that as compared to Hindi films the producer plays more important role in Bhojpuri films. Here it is the producer who has to run the entire show, so a producer must involve himself in his film. Right from story sitting to music sessions to post production I am involved in all the departments of my films.

This is your second film with Dinesh Lal Yadav. How did you feel working with him?

I must say Dinesh Lal Ji is producer's delight. He is very co-operative. He knows well how to keep commitments. He is always there to help the producers.He is numero uno star of Bhojpuri films. He has not achieved this position by miracle.On the set he surrenders to director and as a result the director takes out the best from him. He never gives his producers a chance to complain. When you sign him half the battle is already won.

When you look back how do you feel about your journey into filmdom?

It is really delightful journey. I made three films and faced no hassels. Touch wood. I come from distribution sector which is the last stop of any film. In a way you can say I started from the reverse side or you can also say I swam against the tide.I consider myself lucky that I got good team in all my films. Film making is a passion for me and this will lead me to keep on making making good films.

What is your next after 'Deewana'?

I have already started working on my next project. It's title is 'Daag' and the cast and credit of it will be announced later properly. Let me assure you that it will be a high voltage drama and it's story will be full of twists and turns and paisa wasool entertainment.

Lastly, how do you feel about the the performance of Bhojpuri film industry?

There is no doubt that the business of Bhojpuri films has increased manifold.While making film one must keep in mind that the audience has become smarter. Look at the performances of the films at box office you will realise that good films have always done good business.There is no shortcut to success and this rule applies to the Bhojpuri films as well.