In a candid revelation, acclaimed filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra has stated that India is still not prepared for the original, unreleased version of his 2009 film Delhi 6. The director admitted that the nation's cinematic appetite may have regressed in some aspects, making the true 'director's cut' a risky proposition even today.
The Unreleased 'Venice Cut' and a Dead Hero
Speaking exclusively, Mehra disclosed that the original version of the film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, began with a bold narrative choice. The opening scene showed the immersion of the protagonist's ashes in the Ganges, accompanied by a voiceover from Abhishek Bachchan's character stating, 'These are my ashes.' This meant the audience was informed of the hero's death right from the first frame.
'That's the original version. I still have it with me,' Mehra confirmed. He referred to this as the 'Venice cut' or the true director's cut. The version was met with critical acclaim at the festival, even earning a front-page feature in Variety magazine, which labeled the film '(un)Bollywood' for its unconventional approach.
A Box Office Failure That Gained Cult Status
When Delhi 6 released in Indian theatres in 2009, it was a commercial disappointment. However, over the years, the film's nuanced exploration of India's cultural fabric and social trajectories has earned it a significant cult following. It is now regarded as a work far ahead of its time, more incisive than many of its contemporaries.
The version that reached Indian audiences featured a altered, optimistic ending where Abhishek Bachchan's character survives. Reflecting on this decision, Mehra expressed regret. 'Out of foolishness. Sheer foolishness,' he admitted. 'I think there was so much dark humour in the film... everybody who saw the cut said, 'Leave it with some hope.' And I fell for it. I shouldn't have.'
Is India Ready Now? Mehra's Pessimistic Outlook
With a growing trend of re-releasing classic films, the question arises: will Mehra ever release the original director's cut? The filmmaker remains deeply uncertain. 'I don't know, I really don't. If I were to re-release, I still feel the time isn't right,' he stated.
Mehra offered a sobering analysis of societal evolution, suggesting that in many ways, the country has moved backwards rather than forwards. 'I still feel the nation hasn't evolved; in fact, we have gone down the hole in many ways,' he observed. While acknowledging progress in other areas, he questioned the very definition of that progress in the context of accepting challenging art.
This revelation underscores the ongoing tension between artistic vision and commercial expectations in Indian cinema. Delhi 6 stands as a testament to a film that dared to interrogate complex themes, its original, darker vision remaining locked away, awaiting an audience that its creator fears may not yet exist.
