Indian filmmaker Kabir Khan at BIFF: Mainstream cinema is the most powerful media in India

Indian filmmaker Kabir Khan (right) with The Asia N journalist, Rahul Aijaz.

Indian filmmaker Kabir Khan is currently in Busan, as his megahit film ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ screens at Busan International Film Festival.

‘The Asia N’ journalist Rahul Aijaz caught up with him about his film. Khan said his film was a big success because Salman Khan has not done anything like this before. The film revolved around a young mute Pakistani girl lost in India and how an Indian helps her cross the border and reunite her with her family.

Khan said the film was a ‘mainstream film’ yet with a substantial story. Comparing Salman Khan to Jackie Chan as a brand and similar name power, he said he showed him in a different light.

Talking about his films, he said, “I like to put in a lot of political context” as he was initially a documentary filmmaker.

He said he prefers mainstream cinema because otherwise, you only get a limited access. With mainstream, you can reach a wider audience and thus, “Mainstream cinema is the most powerful media in India.”

Khan has previously directed Kabul Express, New York and Ek Tha Tiger. His latest film, Phantom, which caused controversy and was banned in Pakistan, was recently released in India.