Bharat Bala recollects memories of iconic song Vande Mataram with AR Rahman – Times of India

PUNE: Eminent filmmaker Bharat Bala, who shot to fame following his Vande Mataram video with music maestro AR Rahman, recollected that people came voluntarily when the shooting happened and not a single rupee was paid to them. He was speaking during the recently held concluding session of the 17th Pune Design Festival organised by Pune chapter of the Association of Designers of India (ADI) at Hotel Hyatt Regency, a statement issued by the organisers said.
Bala, who hails from Tamil Nadu, recollected anecdotes about the iconic song, which he had conceived for a “big idea” about India, as suggested by his father. Some of the other works of Bala were also shown during the session, which connected with the audience.
“As soon as we hoisted the big Tricolour, people flocked in and then we shot the song. We only provided water to the people, they came voluntarily. However, for the entire making of the song, we (me and my wife Kanika) spent over Rs 2 crore in 1997,” Bala said.
Bala is also currently working on the project “Virtual Bharat”, where he is telling untold stories about India, of different folks across the country, in short films. The topics range from Dussera celebration in Tamil Nadu to the lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the country. He also spoke on how music is an integral part of films.
Bala also recollected how he filmed the National Anthem by involving several legendary artists including Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. ADI President A Balasubramanyam and ADI Pune Chapter President Rugved Deshpande among others were present on the occasion.