‘Jawan’: Atlee opens up on political messaging of his film; says ‘my films should stand for 100 years’

Director Atlee Kumar talked about his blockbuster ‘Jawan’, starring Shah Rukh Khan, at India Today Conclave Mumbai 2023 on October 5. At the event, he spoke about Shah Rukh’s much-discussed monologue from the film in which he raised the importance of asking questions before voting in elections.

He said, ‘I’m also a part of the press, I’m also a part of the media. I should make entertainment with a responsibility. Of course, I can still entertain the audience without a message, but I wouldn’t be doing my job in the right way. I’m aware of today’s issues, and as a writer and director, I’m always thinking what we can do about them.’

Denying that he is an ‘anti-establishment’ director, Atlee described himself as a ‘layman’.

‘It is my voice, it is the common man’s voice…” he said. When it was pointed out to him that both the BJP and the Congress have been claiming that the film’s messaging favours them, Atlee said, “You have to be very responsible as a citizen, and I’m not specifying anything… You should know the value of your vote, how to vote, and on what basis you should come to the conclusion of who to vote for. It’s just a manual. We describe what your responsibility is,’ he said.

When asked if the film is about any political party’s operations in particular, Atlee said that the monologue delivered by Shah Rukh’s Azaad at the end of the film should be relevant ‘even 100 years from now’.

He concluded, ‘If a coach teaches a student how to bowl, it’s not for the next match, it’s for a lifetime. I’m saying a message for a lifetime, my films should stand for 100 years.’

‘Jawan’ also touched upon several pressing issues, such as farmers' suicides and the healthcare

With more than Rs 1100 crore globally, Jawan has emerged as the fifth-biggest Indian movie of all time.

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