Today filmmaking is all about 100-crore club: Markand Deshpande

New Delhi: Actor-director Markand Deshpande, who has been in the industry for more than two decades, feels that Hindi cinema has lost its charm and has only become a money minting machine.

Markand, 47, who recently helmed ‘Sona Spa’ starring Naseeruddin Shah in the lead role, said if money continues to dominate the film industry then there will not be any scope left for good cinema. "Now, Hindi cinema is all about 100 crore and the subject of the film is not being counted. Earlier, we used to remake Hollywood and Korean films, but these days we are adapting Southern films. "After ten years nobody is going to remember all these films. People will not even buy DVDs of them. We are only making noise by the term that `Indian cinema is getting global`. Only money is dominating the industry and if it continues to do so then there will be dearth of good films," Markand told reporters. His last release was ‘Sona Spa’, which deals with the concept of buying sleep. The film was adapted from his own play of the same name. "When I saw the play myself, it actually startled everybody. But I just felt as a filmamker, I can make it more effective by making it into a film. To show the concept of somebody sleeping and dreaming on your behalf, I just needed another medium to show it," said Markand, who is also the playwright. Markand also points out that it was a cakewalk for him to take veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah on board because he has worked on the play before. "It was not difficult for me to take Naseer bhai on board. People say it is very difficult to cast him. He had worked on the play also and had loved the concept. I introduced this character in the film. It was not there in the play. He believes in my film." Having started his career with Aamir Khan starrer ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’ in 1988, Markand made his mark in the industry with his supporting roles in ‘Sarfarosh’, ‘Swades’, ‘Makdee’, and ‘Darna Zaroori Hai’. He has an unconventional personality and is known for playing similar roles in films too. The director feels casting holds the key to a film`s success. "People should be right for the characters. They should not cast people because they are available. That`s the mistake which happens with us. This way you are damaging your film. You should only cast those who are required," he said. Despande also turned director and last directed ‘Shah Rukh Bola `Khoobsurat Hai Tu’ in 2010. Asked what kept him busy in these three years, Markand said, "Theatre kept me busy. I keep making these small films in between. I made an avant-garde film of 75 minutes `Miss Sundari`, shot in 5D. In this film, I have mixed theatre with film." The actor is currently shooting for Manish Tiwary`s `Issaq`, a contemporary adaptation of Romeo and Juliet set in Varanasi. He is playing a priest in the film. PTI