Rishi Kapoor slammed Jagga Jasoos director Anurag Basu in an interview to the tabloid, Mid-day, calling him 'irresponsible'. The actor, whose son Ranbir Kapoor produced and starred in the film, said that constant fiddling with the film led to its delays, and eventual flop.
Known for his strong opinions, the actor launched a scathing criticism against the director saying, "He's such an irresponsible director that he doesn't complete the film. It was supposed to release three times in the past two years, but it kept getting delayed."
The actor also said,"Honestly, Neetu [wife] and I saw the film on Thursday, only a day ahead of the release. Till Wednesday, Anurag Basu was still mixing the film. Can you imagine that? Pritam [composer] probably delivered the music only a week before. What can you say?"
Even Ranbir, in an interview with film critic Rajeev Masand during the film's promotions had inferred to Basu's filmmaking style saying, "It still feels like he (Anurag Basu) could call us to shoot any day tomorrow." The actor went on to add how they were shooting for Barfi! (2012) even a week before release. "That's his (Basu's) process," he said.
However, it has not gone down well with his father, Rishi. The tardiness was not the only issue. The veteran actor even remarked that Basu was not one for 'taking criticism from anybody'. He said, "Today's filmmakers are doing this with everybody. They don't show their films before release to take opinions, and treat it as though they're making a nuclear bomb. I didn't hate or love the film. I only felt it needed to be abridged by 20 minutes. But who is going to give that opinion to them?"
Incidentally, the actor had tweeted his delight at the positive reactions of Jagga Jasoos a week ago on his Twitter.
Commentingon Basu's past falling out with producers like Rakesh Roshan and Ekta Kapoor, Rishi said that it was Basu's 'irresponsible' behaviour that cost producers money. He said, "But here, Ranbir is the producer too, and his neck is in the noose. Who the hell are you [Basu] to do all this? It is ridiculous that a producer hadn't seen his product a day ahead of the film's release. You may be the biggest director in the world but nobody would like to work with you because you are irresponsible. There is somebody else's money involved in this. I trusted you, and this is what you give us?"
Another issue facing the film is its lack of presence on the international markets. While it was speculated that the film will also release in Singapore and the Middle East, the delay has cost it the chance. Rishi pointed out, "It did not release in Singapore because you have to deliver it five days in advance. It did not release in the Gulf on Thursday because it was only delivered to them on Thursday. This is unreasonable and irresponsible. You may be thinking you are making the Taj Mahal, but you are supposed to make it ready on time."
Despite the major criticism, the veteran was thankful of Basu to have given his son a chance to work in a film like Barfi! (2012). But he certainly wasn't pleased at Basu's dithering in releasing the film. Rishi said, "I would like to add here that I am grateful to Anurag for giving Ranbir a lovely film like Barfi! But why hide a film? All big filmmakers, including my father (Raj Kapoor), Rakesh Roshan and Aamir Khan show their films, so why can't you?"