Anecdotes Flow Freely as the Audience Breaks into Laughter and Applause A Living Legacy Takes the Spotlight as Kamna Chandra Shares Her Journey Goa, 22 November The In Conversation session titled ldquoUnscripted ndash The Art and Emotion of Filmmakingrdquo at IFFI turned Kala Academy into a movie set today. An unforgettable cinematic celebration unfurled as renowned filmmaker and producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra took the stage, in a candid conversation with acclaimed screenwriter Abhijat Joshi. The conversation held the audience in a grip usually reserved for a Friday blockbuster. The session began with a warm felicitation as Dr. Ajay Nagabhushan MN, Joint Secretary (Films), honoured Chopra and Joshi, followed by Shri Ravi Kottarakkara, noted film producer, who presented both with shawls. Dr. Ajay expressed hope that Chopra would continue guiding young filmmakers with his trademark honesty. Ravi hailed Choprarsquos lsquoParindarsquo as a ldquogame-changing filmrdquo that rewrote Indian cinema. A Filmmaker Who Creates from the Self Opening the conversation, Abhijat Joshi reminisced about the very first day he met Vidhu Vinod Chopra, a November day he remembers vividly, a moment that eventually shaped films like lsquoLage Raho Munna Bhairsquo and lsquo3 Idiotsrsquo. He then asked Chopra if his style had evolved from lsquoParindarsquo to lsquo12th Failrsquo. Choprarsquos answer was as raw as it was revealing. ldquoEvery film reflects who I am at that point,rdquo he said. ldquoI was angry when I made lsquoParindarsquo. You can see that violence in the movie. Today Irsquom calmer.rdquo He added that lsquo12th Failrsquo came from witnessing corruption around him. ldquoThe film was my way of saying letrsquos be honest for a change. If I can change even 1 of the bureaucracy, thatrsquos enough.rdquo He also shared how watching lsquo1942 A Love Storyrsquo in its newly restored 8K version made him emotional. It was a film, he said, he could not make today because he is no longer the same person. A Cinema of Conviction Joshi affirmed that Choprarsquos greatest hallmark is his unwavering loyalty to his own conviction. ldquoHe never cares about a filmrsquos commercial fate, he values only its artistic fate,rdquo he said, before steering the conversation toward the creative processes behind lsquoParindarsquo and lsquo12th Failrsquo. Chopra spoke passionately about preparation, vision, and the pursuit of visual truth. He elaborated on a famous shot from lsquo1942 A Love Storyrsquo, even singing the song soulfully as the audience cheered. He described insisting on real birds flying across the mountain ridge and how his crew scattered breadcrumbs to make it happen. Seeing that scene yesterday in 8K, he said, ldquowas joy.rdquo Anecdotes that Filled the Hall with Laughter What followed was a cascade of hilarious and heartfelt memories. Chopra recalled writing lsquoKhamoshrsquo in a tiny one-room flat where he would shout dialogues and ldquocut, cutrdquo from the rooftop, terrifying neighbours. Joshi confirmed ldquoVidhu can get as excited as a child when conceiving a film.rdquo Another crowd favourite was the story of Actor Jackie Shroff accidentally walking into the wrong apartment during rehearsals, waking up a startled woman, and handing her flowers. ldquoShe told everyone she dreamt Jackie Shroff visited her,rdquo Chopra laughed. The Music, The Madness, The Magic Speaking about lsquo1942 A Love Storyrsquo, Chopra narrated his fierce determination to collaborate with R.D. Burman despite those who claimed Burmanrsquos time was over. When Burman presented initial tunes, Chopra rejected them bluntly. ldquoI called it bullshit. I wanted the soul of S.D. Burman.rdquo Weeks later, came ldquoKuch Na Kaho.rdquo Chopra sang the melody onstage, receiving thunderous applause. ldquoThis song exists because I said that one word,rdquo he joked. Chopra also revisited his famous National Award story. He narrated how he expected ₹4,000 in cash along with the award, only to receive an eight-year postal bond. His humorous recreation of his argument with L.K. Advani left the hall roaring. He also acknowledged Advanirsquos later support, including helping him attend the Oscars. Voices Behind the Classics Join In In a heartwarming moment, Kamna Chandra, 92-year-old writer of lsquo1942 A Love Storyrsquo and Choprarsquos mother-in-law, joined the conversation, along with producer Yogesh Ishwar. Kamna spoke of laboring over each dialogue and the emotion she felt watching the restored version. ldquoI felt like Irsquove done something in life,rdquo she said. Yogesh detailed the meticulous 8K restoration journey in Italy, cleaning the film frame by frame and remastering its sound. Chopra said the restored version ldquolooks exactly like what I had imagined.rdquo The session concluded with a lively QampA, but it was clear that the true magic had already unfolded. The audience had travelled through decades of cinema, lived through the joys and absurdities of filmmaking, and witnessed the creative partnership between Vidhu and Abhijat that has shaped some of Indiarsquos most beloved films.

Unscripted Brilliance Vidhu Vinod Chopra Lights Up Iffi With Wit Wisdom And Cinematic Wonder