Director's cut: Kabir Khan on crafting authentic narratives that blend politics with humanity

As a filmmaker, Kabir Khan deftly navigates the intersection of politics and humanity, infusing his films with meticulous research and a commitment to authenticity. “When I made the shift from documentary to mainstream cinema, I tried to blend the two,” says Khan. “At the time, talking about politics was a taboo in mainstream films. But I am glad that the three films that I started off with, my producers gave me that opportunity to explore complex political situations. All three films had a political backdrop, with a story that also connected to a larger audience.” For Khan, filmmaking is deeply personal. “I feel filmmakers ultimately make the films they want to watch,” he reflects.“You should create for yourself because you don’t really know the other. All you can trust is that people will find the honesty. Sometimes it will do numbers, sometimes it won’t.”

One of his most acclaimed works, Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), exemplifies Khan’s ability to blend political themes with poignant human stories that do well with the masses. “Bajrangi Bhaijaan was a massively political film, but people saw the human connection within it all. That was a win,” Khan remarks proudly. Central to Khan’s filmmaking process is rigorous research and attention to detail. “Fiction is always rooted in what already exists in the real world. I always bring in elements from the real world that catch my eye; and that always helps. I am very committed to maintaining historical accuracy; you have to be. For me, research is paramount.”

Navigating the complexities of historical accuracy is a challenge Khan embraces with dedication. “We, as a country, are not very good at archiving information properly,” he observes.“When I reached out to journalists for 83 (2021), they didn’t have copies of their own articles. Lords opened up their archives for me, and that changed the game. You can take creative liberty, but not with facts. You can dramatise within that and build the narrative you want.” Detail-oriented to the core, Khan emphasises the importance of veracity in every aspect of his films. “For example, if you notice Roger Binny bowling, every time he bowls his rolled-up sleeves open up, and he rolls them back up again for the next ball,” he points out. “We tested 12 different fabrics to find the one that would do that. That level of detailing you have to go into; otherwise, people will say that you’re not being true to the story, especially the ones who care deeply.”

Over the years, Khan has gravitated towards narratives that blend scale with emotional depth and societal relevance. “The reason why I moved away from documentary filmmaking was because I wanted to explore larger-than-life storytelling,” he explains. Reflecting on his creative journey, Khan talks about the importance of thorough preparation and a deep understanding of socio-political contexts. “I have never made a film and later thought I should have made it differently. I have to be sure about what I am making; I have to be convinced myself. I have to sit down and understand the socio-political context that I am placing my film in so that if anyone comes to me later and tells me a random fact about the situation I am basing my film on, I can always confidently say that I know every single detail and more.”

As he continues to explore new narratives and challenge cinematic norms, Khan’s films promise to provoke thought, evoke emotions, and leave a lasting impact on the audience. Embracing the organic flow of storytelling, Khan understands the need for authenticity in each narrative he crafts. “Every story, in a certain way, demands its own treatment. You have to go with that organically without resistance. If you don’t, that’s when you become dishonest.”

Khan talks about the importance of thorough preparation and a deep understanding of socio-political contexts. “I have never made a film and later thought I should have made it differently. I have to be sure about what I am making; I have to be convinced myself. I have to sit down and understand the socio-political context that I am placing my film in so that if anyone comes to me later and tells me a random fact about the situation I am basing my film on, I can always confidently say that I know every single detail and more.”

As he continues to explore new narratives and challenge cinematic norms, Khan’s films promise to provoke thought, evoke emotions, and leave a lasting impact on the audience. Embracing the organic flow of storytelling, Khan understands the need for authenticity in each narrative he crafts. “Every story, in a certain way, demands its own treatment. You have to go with that organically without resistance. If you don’t, that’s when you become dishonest.”

All images: Amitava Saha

This article originally appeared in Harper's Bazaar, June-July 2024, print issue. 

Also read: Violet Chachki, our June digital cover star, on inspirations from India, finding pride in art, and her next big project

Also read: Director's cut: How collaboration and international influence shape Kiran Rao's unconventional creative process