A lachrymose, lack-everything remake of a 1957 Hollywood classic An Affair to Remember directed by Leo McCarey and starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, Indra Kumar’s Mann was an embarrassment for all concerned, including its lead Aamir Khan and Manisha Koirala, who had earlier worked together in Mansoor Khan’s Akele Hum Akele Tum, which coincidentally was also an unofficial remake of a Hollywood classic (Kramer Versus Kramer).
In an interview I did with Aamir Khan after the release of Mann, I asked him if he stood by the film.
He replied, “I stand by all my films. I don’t say I don’t acknowledge their weaknesses. I look honestly at their faults and strengths. I don’t become blind to their faults. But on an emotional level I’ll always defend them. I won’t disown any of them. It would be the easiest thing in the world for me to dismiss any of my films as bakwas. I can’t wash my hands off my films. I’ve to own up to the responsibility of a film’s failings.”
“Most of the time they’re out of hands because I’m not their director. I did what I could with Mann. On the fourth day of shooting I told Indu (director Indra Kumar) I didn’t agree with his treatment of the script. I felt he was going wrong. As the film’s actor it was my duty to stand by Mann, which I did.”
So was it a mistake for Aamir to do Mann? “I think mistake is a strong word. If I was offered the same film now, I’d still do it. It’s a remake of a wonderful Hollywood film. Perhaps Indu wasn’t the right person to direct this kind of subject. There are some films where I feel major gadbad is happening. Lekin mujhe yeh bolna achcha nahin lagta. Once I’m in it, I’m completely in it.”
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