Twenty years have passed since J.P. Dutta’s iconic war film Border was released and it’s still the work that the filmmaker is most closely identified with.
“Border just connected with audiences. It was destiny, I guess. There were some other films that I was equally proud of like my first release Ghulami, then Hathyar and Batwara. I am also very proud of my other war film LOC Kargil.”
LOC Kargil did not do well and Dutta has not directed a film since Umrao Jaan, starring Abhishek Bachhan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, in 2006. He is now back with another war film titled Paltan.
“It was a lean patch. But I am no stranger to struggles. Right at the beginning of my career as a director, my first film Sarhad was shelved after extensive shooting. I thought it was the end of the world. But I was able to start another film Ghulami,” said Dutta.
At the moment, the greatest joy of Dutta’s life, according to him, is to see his elder daughter Nidhi Dutta look after his production house. “It was Nidhi’s idea to celebrate 20 years of Border. Otherwise do you think I would have ever done this on my own?” asked Dutta, who is known to shirk the limelight.
At the recent function to commemorate 20 years of Border, Dutta sorely missed his father, writer O.P. Dutta.
“My daughter Nidhi did a wonderful thing that evening. She quietly handed over the trophy for my father to me. As one day, the trophy meant for me would be handed to her,” he said.
