Filmmaker Sriram Raghavan’s filmography features only hits and semi-hits, save for his 2012 Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor-starrer Agent Vinod. But the director says he has no regrets, calling the film a learning experience.
“The failure of Agent Vinod was a big learning experience because we had all the right intentions, and Dinesh (the producer) spent a lot of money on the project. In terms of the script, it was a massive film, and we all worked our hardest. We just wanted the film to do well,” Sriram says.
He adds that facing such a massive failure left him better prepared for his next film — Badlapur.
“When Badlapur happened, I decided to channel our energies and make the film without any chaos. Because when a film doesn’t work, everyone feels terrible,” he says.
Sriram reveals that one of the most important things he has learnt is that producers can do a film harm by making unrealistic demands, but it’s the director’s job to put his foot down when things get out of hand.
“I wouldn’t say succumb, but sometimes you have to cooperate. Agent Vinod was an expensive film, and the pressure of making a movie like that is different. At times, things can take away from the story. When you try to make a film for everybody, that’s when things start going wrong,” he says, adding, “It may be difficult to put your foot down, but you have to explain your approach to your producers and make them understand that it’s your film.”
