“A Film Like Bombay Can’t Be Made Today,” Says Cinematographer Rajiv Menon

Cinematographer Rajiv Menon recently stated that a film like ‘Bombay’ could not be made and released in today’s environment. In an interview with a YouTube channel, Menon shared that the current socio-political climate in India is highly volatile, and religious issues have become extremely sensitive. He said that if a film like ‘Bombay’ were released now, cinemas might be set on fire due to public outrage. He believes the level of tolerance in India has declined significantly over the past 25 to 30 years.

He also spoke about his collaboration with director Mani Ratnam and music composer A.R. Rahman on the film. Since both Rahman and Ratnam were not fluent in Hindi, Rajiv often acted as a translator during production. He added that Rahman faced immense pressure within his family, especially regarding his sisters’ marriages, and it was music that helped him cope during those tough times.

‘Bombay’, directed by Mani Ratnam and released in 1995, featured actors Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala. It was based on the communal riots that followed the Babri Masjid demolition and sparked major controversy at the time. The film was widely recognized for its powerful storytelling and Rahman’s music, with Rajiv Menon serving as the cinematographer.