Banaras
is
the
oldest
living
city
in
the
world.
There
is
a
certain
mystic
quality
about
this
place
which
has
a
magical
effect
on
everyone
who
visits
it.
This
is
the
very
quality
that
producer
L.C.Singh
has
tried
to
explore,
through
the
medium
of
his
film,
Banaras.
His
film
is
about
a
mystic
romance
set
in
the
holy
city.
The
first
time
producer
promises
that
this
is
one
film
that
will
stay
with
the
audience
for
a
long,
long
time...
First
and
foremost,
tell
us,
why
is
the
film
titled
Banaras?
Because
the
film
could
have
been
made
only
in
Banaras.
It's
a
mystic
love
story.
The
whole
setting
is
in
Banaras
and
it
could
not
be
anywhere
else.
The
name
itself
has
a
mystic
quality
to
it.
What
is
the
film
about?
I
believe
that
it
is
quite
a
departure
from
the
usual
genres
that
we
see.
We
wanted
to
give
a
message
to
the
young
audience.
We
wanted
to
do
it
in
a
dramatic
yet
entertaining
fashion.
This
film
can't
fit
into
a
particular
genre.
The
most
modern
technicians
have
come
to
the
oldest
living
city
on
the
planet
for
the
purpose
of
the
film.
Tell
us
something
about
the
story.
It
is
a
very
contemporary
story.
The
daughter
of
the
richest
Brahmin
family,
Urmila
falls
for
a
mystical
musician,
Ashmit.
Ashmit
has
been
brought
up
on
the
ghats
by
a
sweeper.
You
can
imagine
the
social
stigmas
in
a
place
like
Banaras.
Because
the
place
is
Banaras,
the
resulting
consequences
are
very
unpredictable.
You
must
see
the
rest!
How
did
you
decide
on
Urmila
Matondkar
as
your
female
lead?
We
wanted
star
performers.
Only
performers
would
make
it
an
art
film.
Only
stars
would
make
it
a
pot
boiler.
We
wanted
someone
who
had
a
star
attraction
as
well
as
someone
who
could
perform
well.
So
Urmila
fit
the
bill
of
the
female
lead,
perfectly.
She
has
quite
a
transformation
in
the
film.
The
range
of
emotions
that
she
was
supposed
to
play
was
very
challenging.
When
she
read
the
script,
she
was
very
amazed.
Ashmit
Patel
is
quite
an
unusual
choice.
Why
did
you
decide
to
cast
him?
We
actually
signed
him
on
just
a
week
before
the
film
started.
We
were
actually
looking
for
somebody
with
very
soft
eyes
and
a
sympathetic
face.
We
were
considering
bigger
stars
but
we
found
him
to
be
the
best
choice.
I
think
this
film
will
be
a
turn
of
events
for
Ashmit
Patel.
We
will
be
seeing
Dimple
Kapadia
after
a
long
gap...
I
think
this
is
one
of
the
most
critical
roles
of
her
career.
There
was
a
particular
sequence
which
she
kept
on
postponing
because
it
was
quite
tough.
It
required
a
lot
of
preparation.
Finally,
when
she
did
the
sequence,
we
could
see
the
relief
on
her
face.
If
someone
like
Dimple
Kapadia
thought
that
the
role
was
so
tough,
you
can
imagine
how
challenging
it
was.
Raj
Babbar,
too
is
one
of
the
finest
actors.
He
plays
the
role
of
a
father.
He
is
not
a
typical
father.
He
has
to
deal
with
many
situations.
I
personally
think
his
performance
is
commendable.
Akash
Khurana
is
a
method
actor.
He
plays
a
psychiatrist
in
the
film.
I
saw
him
on
the
set.
He
was
so
consumed
with
the
character
that
he
didn't
even
talk
to
anybody.
You
managed
to
assemble
such
a
big
star
cast
together.
Was
it
difficult?
We
took
a
lot
of
time
because
it
was
essential
that
for
a
role
like
this,
we
get
the
perfect
star
cast.
All
of
them
are
extremely
performance
driven
roles.
Nobody
even
slaps
anyone
in
the
film.
Yet
you
will
be
able
to
see
violence
in
the
mind
of
the
characters.
I
believe
that
actual
violence
takes
place
in
the
mind.
You
can
actually
learn
a
lot
from
the
emotional
violence
in
the
film.
Why
did
you
decide
to
sign
Pankaj
Parasher
to
direct
this
film?
He
has
been
a
friend
of
mine
since
really
long.
I
needed
someone
who
understood
what
I
was
talking
about.
He
was
the
only
choice.
I
knew
he
was
the
best
person
for
the
job.
Technically
too,
the
film
has
turned
out
to
be
great.
Visually,
the
film
has
a
very
large
canvas.
Did
you
have
to
make
a
lot
of
changes
in
the
script?
When
I
gave
Javed
Siddiqui
the
first
draft,
he
told
me
it's
a
treatment
movie.
All
the
characters
have
shades,
just
like
people
in
real
life.
In
real
life,
there
are
no
perfect
people.
Everyone
has
shades.
In
this
film
the
same
characters
become
heroes
as
well
as
villains.
You
will
see
a
very
refined
story.
When
we
finally
shot
the
film,
it
was
the
14th
draft
of
the
script.
Himesh
Reshammiya
who
has
done
the
music
of
the
film
is
on
a
major
career
high.
How
does
his
music
suit
this
film?
I
think
his
respect
will
grow
many
folds
after
this
film.
When
we
were
discussing
the
film,
Himesh
told
me
that
he
was
creating
music
for
the
next
25
years!
He
used
the
classic
ragas
in
a
contemporary
way.
Mysticism
and
music
go
hand
in
hand.
We
also
have
Sivamani
who
worked
on
the
music
and
Sameer
who
wrote
the
lyrics.
A
lot
of
people
have
devoted
their
experiences
to
this
film.
The
lyrics
bring
out
the
essence
of
Banaras.
We
ensured
that
the
best
of
the
people
were
a
part
of
this
film
and
also
that
they
were
challenged.
The
mysticism
is
not
restricted
to
the
characters
of
Urmila
and
Ashmit.
Banaras
itself
is
the
love
story
of
Lord
Shiva
on
earth.
Tell
the
audience
why
they
should
watch
the
film.
It
will
be
a
mystical
experience.
I
believe
that
after
watching
the
movie,
you
will
think
about
it
for
at
least
two
days.
Lastly,
what
next,
after
Banaras?
This
is
the
first
film
that
I
have
produced.
Let's
see
how
this
goes.
It's
been
a
big
learning
experience
for
me.
I'll
take
it
as
it
comes.
I
enjoy
nothing
more
than
learning
new
things.
My
biggest
reward
so
far
has
been
that
I
learnt
so
much.