Vidhu Vinod Chopra Reveals James Cameron Praised Shikara: 'It Reminded Him Of Doctor Zhivago'

Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Shikara (2020), a film based on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, faced significant criticism and underwhelming box office performance despite its sensitive subject matter. While some praised the film’s heartfelt portrayal of a painful chapter in history, others felt it lacked depth and failed to fully capture the emotional gravity of the event. Chopra himself, however, has expressed a different view on the film’s so-called “failure.” In his eyes, success is subjective, as he recalls filmmaker James Cameron praising Shikara, comparing it to his favorite film Doctor Zhivago. For Chopra, personal fulfillment and the integrity of his creative vision outweighed commercial and critical reception.

In a candid recount of his filmmaking journey, Vidhu Vinod Chopra shared an insightful experience while reflecting on the response to his film Shikara. Speaking at the 14th edition of IFP Festival, Chopra recalled a moment when a creative producer visited him at his Santa Cruz office, looking disheartened by the criticism the film received. However, Chopra’s perspective on failure differed.

“I didn’t see it as a failure,” Chopra said. “When Shikara was screened in New Zealand, James Cameron—yes, the Avatar director—walked up to me and said it reminded him of his favorite film, Doctor Zhivago. I was stunned. We ended up sitting in the cinema, drinking wine till the early hours of the morning while he was in the middle of shooting Avatar. That, for me, is success.”

For Chopra, success isn’t determined by public reception or box office numbers, but by personal satisfaction and belief in his work. “Success or failure comes from within you. People said the poster I showed them was great, but I didn’t feel it was good enough. So, I decided I wouldn’t release it until I could make it better. It’s about doing your best. If your best isn’t good enough, don’t worry—just do your best again.”

Chopra further reflected on the making of 12th Fail, where he intentionally kept the music minimal, using only three instruments. “It’s slow, with almost no music, because that’s how I like it. You have to have that belief. When you give your best, you don’t fail, regardless of how others perceive it.”