'I will continue to make films till my horses are able to run'

Kamla Bora in Jaipur

Undeterred by the box office fiasco of his ambitious directorial debut Gajagamani, renowned painter Maqbool Fida Hussain is all set to embark upon filming his next venture Do Kadam Chal Kar Dekho.

"Failure of Gajagamani at the box office hardly made any difference to me. It gave me an artistic satisfaction as the much talked about film was an experimental movie," Hussain told reporters at the famous Mayo College in Ajmer where he had come to exhibit his film and paintings.

Hussain now wants to hold shows of this film at teaching institutions across the country. He launched his movement from the Mayo College, which was established a century ago and taught members of royal families.

"I am confident that by showing this film at teaching institutions across the country, I shall make Gajagamani the most popular film in the country. I shall also create at least one new painting at the institute where this film will be exhibited," he added.

After the Ajmer, he plans to take his film to New Delhi, Banaras and Aligarh for exhibition.

Replying to questions about his reported infatuation with Madhuri Dixit, Hussain said, "I am still a fan and admirer of her beauty, but it is all media hype that I am mad after her and that I made this film for her. Actually I made this film in memory of my late mother. The idea of this film germinated way back in 1991."

Talking about his new film Do Kadam Chal Kar Dekho, he stated that he was still writing its script and would start the shooting soon. The film will be shot in Jaisalmer and Hyderabad, besides the Czech and Slovak countries.

But Hussain refused to divulge the star cast of his new venture.

"My first film was episodic and did not depend on a linear storyline, but my next movie is story based.

On the underworld's involvement in Bollywood, Hussain said that the Bombay film world will be doomed if it did not come out of the clutches of the underworld dons.

The internationally renowned painter was critical of over expenditure on films by producers in Bombay. "For me, filmmaking is not a business proposition. It is a powerful medium to convey my feelings to masses."

Hussain felt strongly against various awards which, he felt, are received by intense lobbying. "Not only in India but everywhere in the world awards had the same story. I have no faith in awards!"

"Painting is my basic profession, but I will continue to make films till my horses are able to run," he punned about his famous series of horse paintings.