Vidhu Vinod Chopra reveals his father slapped him for wanting to become a director, saying this when his film was nominated for an Oscar: ‘Bhooka mar jaayega Bombay mein’

Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s cinematic journey, which is a mix of commercial hits and critical acclaim, is driven by his tireless passion and creative vision. Recently, he recalled an important moment from his past when he had expressed his desire to become a filmmaker to his father. Instead of support, he faced a slap, a reaction that underlined the challenges he faced. His father cautioned him that pursuing a career in Bombay would not bring financial stability.

During the IFP Festival, director-producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra shared a memorable memory from his early days, in which he recalled how his father reacted when he revealed his dream of becoming a filmmaker. While in Kashmir, he expressed his ambition, but received a slap in the face and a stern warning about the harsh realities of making a career in Bombay, where survival seemed almost impossible.

He said, “When I told my father in Kashmir, ‘Paaji, I want to make a film,’ he slapped me and said, ‘Bhukha will die in Bombay.’ How will it be? (You will die of hunger, how will you survive?)”.

The 12th Fail director further revealed that his father could not support his ambitions, prompting him to reflect deeply on his situation. Determined to carve his own path, he excelled academically and obtained first class standing in Economics Honors at the University of Kashmir. This achievement earned him a National Scholarship of Rs 250 from the Government of India, which was a small but important step towards his dreams.

With a monthly scholarship of Rs 250, he managed to enroll in film school. In a humorous twist of fate, he recalled a conversation he had with his father in 1979 when he received an Oscar nomination. Excited, he shared the news, but his father responded pragmatically and inquired about the monetary reward for such an accomplishment.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra grabbed attention last year with the release of 12th Fail, a film that impressed both audiences and critics with its rousing story and excellent performances.

This remarkable work is considered one of Vidhu’s best works. The story revolves around IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma, who overcomes extreme poverty to achieve his dream of becoming an Indian Police Service officer.