Violence begets violence: Vidhu Vinod Chopra reveals why he refused Rs 11 Lakh to change Parinda’s ending
At IFFI 2025, filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra revealed how corruption inspired his film 12th Fail. In a candid masterclass, he reflected on his iconic movies, creative choices, and belief that cinema should mirror the times and values of society.
New Delhi: Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra got candid at Day 2 of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025, speaking about honesty, creativity, and the corruption that inspired his hit film 12th Fail.During a lively masterclass titled Unscripted: The Art & Emotion of Filmmaking, moderated by screenwriter Abhijat Joshi, Chopra opened up about his career, his personal growth, and how cinema reflects real life. The session, packed with film enthusiasts, offered an emotional and inspiring glimpse into his filmmaking journey.
Corruption around me pushed me to make 12th Fail: Vidhu Vinod Chopra at IFFI 2025
Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra delivered an emotional and unfiltered session at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 in Goa. Speaking at his masterclass Unscripted: The Art & Emotion of Filmmaking, Chopra reflected on his creative evolution and the stories behind his acclaimed films — Parinda, 1942: A Love Story, and 12th Fail.
Chopra began by looking back at Parinda, saying, "When I made Parinda, I was a very violent man myself. I am far less violent now, thanks to Anupama, who married me and stayed married for 30 years. She has calmed me down.”
He recalled how distributors once offered him Rs 11 lakh in cash to change the film’s ending to keep Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit alive. "I said I can’t do that, because what I am saying in the film is that violence begets violence,” Chopra said firmly.
Speaking about his most recent film, 12th Fail, the director linked it to his frustration with the current social climate. "Corruption around me pushed me to make 12th Fail. I am personally sick and tired of seeing the level of corruption,” he shared. He added, "If the film can inspire even a fraction of the system to choose honesty over corruption, I will consider it a success.” Chopra also described how moved he felt watching 1942: A Love Story in its newly restored 8K version. He thanked the NFDC–NFAI team, saying, "People lived in Italy for four months to work on the restoration.”
Closing the session, Chopra reflected on the purpose of art. "An artist is not independent of the times he lives in… my cinema reflects what I see,” he said, earning applause from the audience.