Well I think while both of you may be partially  right - Saket and Shiv, i really dont think that people go to so many pains and search sites before making up their minds. Mostly, they’ve got money for one film a week and the star rating does effect that - like it or not. The economics of film-making, where first weekends matter so much, and the ticket prices are so high have empowered the critics. And to create an alternative critics siteis just adding an opinion. I have so often heard people talk about the film in the terms mentioned in a review. 

That besides, I think, there is a larger question we have to ask, - should there we any “official” evaluations of creative works at all?  Now I know, its probably not practical - but in a Utopian world, could we allow creative people to go straight to their audiences. I think the creative movement in India is hugely stunted because of these filters. Not every piece of work has to be the “one” but it can lead to that or evolve. But many times, a rap on the knuckle  or unnecessary lauding,  early in the process stunts the growth of a creative person.

I have the view that was put forth by “eat pray love” author - Elizabeth Gilbert on the TED series of lectures (please check it on youtube), that the severe criticism and the extreme lauding of creative works are both undesirable. 

On the other end of things, I am going to be on a set again soon - yeah! Jubilation!. On the down side my laptop gave up on me and so while it’s in the repair shop, I am learning to hand write again. When I have to use a computer (like in this case) I’m serially waking friends from deep sleep to use their computers. But generally I feel  rather lucky and happy. And feel like there should be a free world out there, where creativity can flow and be a happy place instead of an umbrella for aching unhappiness.

Yesterday i was at an old school reunion and most people there said they didn’t think much of critics and never read reviews and yet they knew how many stars were given to which film. It’s this brahaminisn I was reffereing to. Singha I think there is absolutely no formula for making a successful film, you can make the BEST film that is possible for one to make. And Prakriti, I was not gripping about being tested, the truth is I would neccessarily HAVE to show my script around a lot and have it read before it goes on the floors. Same with the film’s edits. And like Lawrence said one takes for granted that when there is someone holding the cash they do excercise their opinion (atleast). But in my view, after all this, when the film is ready, and especially if its not run of the mill, a bunch of people can tell audiences what to think. Anyway, in the end, like shiv kumar said, one has to stand by one’s convictions, and keep making the cinema that matters to you. But every week the tripe that is sent out in the name of reviews, for films that someone spent months/years making, is absolutely bizzare. I think no reviews should appear before Monday, and there should be no ratings given, this will force critics to actually see the films and analyse them for real.

I am sitting here after having finished the last draft of the script for my next film and although i should be elated, I am actually filled with apprehension. But it wasn’t like this when I wrote Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye. I was so sure and happy. Of course I know why I am feeling apprehensive, it’s because now I am fully aware that when you create something - a book, a painting or a film, its only fifty percent of the job done. And in actuality, it will be all the factors how its marketed, how its positioned, what critics say (a big factor that!) and so-on that will actually determine it’s fate. The question that comes to my mind is - how does one create freely then? How does one make a really good, genuine and original film knowing that it’s fate lies elsewhere - not just in it’s merit. It’s daunting and places a huge onus on artists for something they hardly have control over. No wonder then that so many artists are hugely damaged people . The sheer doubt and pressure can crack anyone up. I can feel the pressure myself, and it takes enormous strength and reserve to not crack.  Why is everything we do so over scrutinised? Why aren’t we allowed space to try something new? And will all this close splitting of hair actually stunt creativity at large? I think, in the end the audiences will suffer because they will be lead by touts of creativity to see what they think is right and give the real stuff a miss. Like brahmins  - they will sit between creativity and its audience.