Is Players the remake of Italian Job?

Basically, Players is about a gold heist. I’d say that though Players is actually the official remake of Italian Job, I prefer to call it an adaptation since the basic dacha is that of Italian Job, which was first made in 1969 with Michael Cain when I was not even born and once again in 2003 with Mark Wahlberg.

Why did you accept the offer?

Besides the fact that I have always wanted to work with Abbas and Mustaan, I love cars and enjoy doing stunts and wanted to do something like what Amin did in Dhoom. Abbas and Mustan are so simple and Indian but make films with style and modern cuttings. The best thing about Players is that the rights have been bought from Paramount Pictures who are also the co-producers of the film.

How was it working with your co-actors like Bobby, Bipasha, Sonam Kapoor, Omi Vaidya , Sikander Kher  and Neil Nitin Mukesh in Players?

With the exception of Omi Vaidya with whom I am doing a film for the first time, I know each and every one of my co-actors in Players. I have already worked with Bobby and Sikander is like the younger brother I have never had. Neil Nitin Mukesh’s father Nitin Mukesh was working with Hrishikaku and I had bumped into him on the sets whenever papa was shooting for Hrishikaku, when I was a child. I know Sonam since the time she was also a kid. As far as Bipasha Basu is concerned, not many know that she was the first actress with whom I had faced the camera for the first time, even before Refugee went on the floors.

What is your role in Players?

I play the role of Charlie Mascaranhas. I am the leader of the team, like the captain of the gang who makes the master plan. This character was there in the original version too. I am career thief but pretend to be a chartered accountant. Charlie is not greedy for money. If he is doing whatever he does, it is for emotional reasons for the sake of Vinod Khanna, who is like my Godfather in the film. It is by the way for the first time that I am working with Vinod uncle in a film. I told him on the sets that I had already acted with Anthony and Akbar but it was for the first time that I was working with Amar in a film and I am a huge fan of his.

Did you try to develop a 6 pack abs to get into the skin of your role in Players?

I do not think that having a 6 pack abs is a sign of health. My father Mr Amitabh Bachchan  never made his body because  though he did not flaunt his 6 pack abs, he has the face pack which is the most important believe that God has given you fat for some reason. I am possibly more athletic than any other actor but I have not seen the need to show my body. It is important to look your part as an actor because 50% of your work is over if you look the part. If I get to play a boxer, I’d definitely prepare with my body. Your physicality is very important as an actor. Jai Dixit cannot look like Gurukant. Today the audience has become a bit more demanding and hence actors submit to their looks unlike earlier when they used to work in twenty films at the same time.

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How do you feel when you look back at your career, with all its ups and downs?

When I look back at my early days as an actor, I realize that I was so bad and wonder how I was tolerated. In fact, I used to use my reviews to teach me how to improve myself as an actor, instead of getting angry with my critics, who I feel have made me a better actor over the years. Reviews matter a lot for an actor, though I am not too sure whether they matter at the box office. If an actor tends to live in an ivory tower, it is only because he is just protecting himself by building layers since he is petrified.

Besides talent, what do you think an actor needs to click?

One thing that an actor needs is confidence. If you have no confidence in yourself, you are finished as an actor. An actor wants only recognition and appreciation. Zero money and award are what an actor likes. I had worked with the biggest of filmmakers but nothing worked till Dhoom clicked. By then, I was so frustrated that I thought that Dhoom also would flop. When Dhoom succeeded, it was not like vindication but I heaved a sigh of relief. You see, an actor is insecure because sometimes even if he does well his job, if the editor or the cinematographer does not do his job well, the actor is blamed.

Would you blame yourself for the wrong choices of films as an actor?

How can you blame me if I agreed to work in Mani Ratnam’s Raavan, when I was offered the film after Guru, which was considered my best performance? If Raju Hirani approached Aamir after 3 Idiots with a film, do you think Aamir will say no to him? Name one actor in the entire world who has given only hit after hit in his career? You cannot take your hit or flop seriously as an actor. I had given eight hits in a row but no one spoke about it but when I gave eleven flops one after the other, people made it a point to rub it in. I was quite upset when people attributed the success of Dostana to John Abraham and ignored my contribution to the film. Though people said Paa was a hit, they refused to praise me for having produced the film. People said Laaga Chunari Mein Daag flopped because of me even though I just had done a guest appearance in it.

What advice did your dad give you when you were reeling under flops and been dubbed a failure?

What can be worse than a totally unknown woman who is a stranger slapping me outside Galaxy Theatre after watching my film Shararat? She told me that she felt like slapping me because she felt that my performance in the film was bad considering the fact that I am the son of a great actor like Amitabh Bachchan. It was difficult for me to go home and tell your dad that you have given one more flop when your own dad opens the door for you. You have to see it from the son’s perspective. Dad told me to sign  every film that came my way and learn by doing mistakes in film after film, because it was not possible for me to improve myself by sitting at home and twiddling my thumbs. You bare your soul on a daily basis to the entire world as an actor.

Does your dad shower his praises on you?

The only time he said well done to me was when he watched Guru. After Guru he has stopped telling me about my performance, because he is worried that people would feel he is promoting me. My dad has not produced a film till date for me though I have produced two films for him- Paa and Buddah Hoga Tera Baap. It is very convenient for people to say that I am here in this industry because of my father. Just name one star son who has not worked with his father?

Are you in favor of acting in sequels and remakes?

I am the king of sequels. I have already acted in Dhoom and Dhoom 2 and am all set to act in Dhoom 3 with Aamir Khan as the antagonist. i have already done Sarkar and Sarkar Raj, its sequel. I will be acting in the sequel of Dostana and if Players clicks in a big way, I will be game to act in its sequel too, though unless and until a film has its own franchise; it cannot be made as a sequel. I am acting in Players, the remake of Italian Job and Bol Bachchan, the remake of Golmaal.

Do you plan to take up direction too?

Ranbir Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan are trained in direction unlike me. I like to be told and do not like telling people to act. I do not think that I am inclined towards taking up acting.

How was it working with your dad in the Versa ad earlier and films like Bunty Aur Babli and Sarkar?

It was like a screen test for me to work with my dad. It was the easiest shoot for me because I did not have to work at all. Dad makes his co artistes too act well. To tell the truth when we were shooting for the ad, I was dying with nervousness. Hence I was obviously nervous about working with my dad in Ramgopal Varma’s Sarkar but at the same time excited at the prospects of working with him in a film for the first time.

How do you react to the comparisons between you and your papa?

I think it is very inevitable and I won’t even crib. The day I took up acting, I’d decided that I shouldn’t at all think that I am Mr. Amitabh Bachchan’s son when I am in front of the camera. I cannot dare to compare myself or compete with him because I cannot afford to let him down as his son. I’d like to imbibe every quality of his though till date I think I’ve inherited only my papa’s height, not his sterling qualities. 

What has your father taught you?

I hope I don’t sound clichéd but the fact is that my ambition is to be a good human being and do whatever I can do to the better of my ability both personally as well as professionally, without hurting any one in the process. My father has taught me and my sister Shweta to believe that in life it doesn’t matter how many times you fall down but what matters is the number of times you manage to pick yourself up and carry on.

How do you react when people say you copy your dad’s mannerisms?

Why do people forget that I am my father’s son and I am bound to look and behave like him even if I don’t want to? As far the critics are concerned they have a job to do and they are doing it. They have an opinion and they have to express it, which is fair enough. I have to listen to what they have to say and then take into consideration how much of it is really mine and how much doesn’t belong to me. If they think that I am trying to act like my father then that’s what they think. I can’t go around clarifying myself to everybody. I will be wasting my time. I’d rather channelise my energies to do my work. I will look like him and behave more so than anybody else. From my side there has been no conscious effort to imitate him. You must understand that if I’ve been given a dance step, I am not going to argue with the choreographer. I will have to do what I am told to do.

Do the directors urge you to act like your father?

No one has ever told me to do so.

Has being a Bachchan worked to your disadvantage?

I haven’t faced any disadvantage so far. I do agree that there is a lot of pressure. But that is something I have not really thought about. I have realized that if I keep thinking about it I won’t be concentrating on my work. I am not going to think about living up to the lofty expectations people have of me. I can’t be dad. Nobody can.

What type of roles do you prefer?

I prefer all type of roles. I’m at ease in serious & roles with strong emotions & convictions.

- Jyothi Venkatesh

Wearing a leather jacket teamed with a funky tee and jeans, totally in character for Ladies V/S Ricky Bahl, his next outing with his BBB co-star, directed and produced by BBB makers, Maneesh Sharma and Yash Raj Films, Ranveer studiously answered all our questions, weighing every word lest he put his foot into the mouth.

Why should the girls beware of Ricky Bahl?

Because he is shrewd, sly, and cunning and will take your money away and you will never get to see him again. He’s not a petty thief, not a pickpocket, woh bade bade kaand karta hai, he’s a big player. So you can hide your property papers and your bank papers…

So is the film Bunty Aur Babli reloaded?

No, it’s not. It’s just the same production house, and it’s a con film like Bunty Aur Babli but then Yash Raj had made Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge, a love story and it made Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, again a love story but these films were clearly different. Bunty Aur Babli and Ladies V/S Ricky Bahl aren’t alike at all, the characters are very different.

Are you like Ricky Bahl? Have you ever used your charm, your looks to get your way?

Well, I have never used my looks because I don’t have them, I still don’t think I have them. But charm yes, I have used my charm to con people, especially my teachers and my mum. I would bunk school, not do my school work, give my teachers a goli for not doing stuff and they wouldn’t catch me, would let me go, have done that to my mum too, especially when I wanted to shirk my responsibilities.

Band Baaja Baraat didn’t come with any expectations while this comes with a lot of it…How different are the two situations and is it scary this time?

Well, I was a newcomer during BBB, Anushka had not many films, it was a new director, Yash Raj wasn’t having a good run at that point of time, so yes, BBB came with zero expectations because it was releasing alongside a big film. But slowly it picked up. This time, we are the same team and yes, people have loads of expectations from it which is both great and scary. And I think I will always feel scared before every release of mine and that’s the way it should be. It’s a solo release, I don’t think any other Indian film is releasing on that day (December 9) and there is no way I am going to be complacent about my films.

When I read your interviews or see you on talk shows or film events, you come across very strongly, something even some people in the industry have admitted to not being very comfortable with…Comment.

Well, I don’t know any other way to be. I have always spoken my mind and that’s how it has always been and will always be, because that’s the way I am wired. I wouldn’t be able to digest it if I were to behave diplomatic or put up behaviour that’s more politically correct. If I feel about something or someone, I am going to say that, I know I mean no malice to anyone. Yes, I am loud especially when I have too much of coffee, that’s why I didn’t have any before coming for this interview (laughs as his Man Friday brings him a bottle of water he keeps sipping on throughout our conversation).

How’s the equation changed with Anushka from BBB to now?

It hasn’t really. She was my senior then and she’s still more experienced than me. She’s taught me a few things about acting. During BBB, we were trying to explore each other, our acting styles and trying to understand each other’s pace. I remember I would never look into her eyes and say my lines because that would then alter my way of acting but she taught me to look into her eyes and do a scene. It was difficult initially par usne mujhe maar maar ke sikhaya. Today, even by the slightest intonation in her voice or the slightest twitch in her face, I can know how she’s going to react to a particular line or do a scene. She is very spontaneous too forcing me sometimes to change the way I am going to react to her. I am very comfortable with her, we are on the same page, we connect with each other and I am happy to have a co-star like her in my first and second film with who I share extraordinary chemistry with.

(Point noted, Mr. Singh)

- Kshama Rao

Phew, as we wipe the sweat off our brow, someone wants to know her exercise and diet regime. She then rattles off how she has a high protein diet, doesn’t do cardio but exercises regularly etc. After cooling a bit she tells us why she is upset with the anorexia reports. “Everyone writes about my relationships, my clothes, my make-up, my legs, my nose etc…can’t stop them, write anything that’s got to do with my films, criticize my performances but saying things like she has anorexia or she was making out with someone at a private party is stretching things a bit too far. It’s derogatory and demeaning. You are questioning my values, my parents’ upbringing and I am not taking that lying down. Do not cross your line. Just because we have chosen this profession it doesn’t mean we stop being human beings. Everyone has a bad day. Allow us ours.”

I ask her about this obsession with ‘looks’ these days, especially reports about directors asking heroines and even heroes to lose and gain weight. Like didn’t we have heroines of yesteryear with broad shoulders and broader hips and heroes looking like fathers of two playing characters of every hue and shade? But Anushka doesn’t let me complete the question and aims her machine gun again. “When directors ask you to put on weight or lose some, you have to see the context, you don’t know the film we are making, you haven’t seen the character, the demands of that character… for instance, if Vidya Balan has put on weight for The Dirty Picture then that’s her character. You got to realize that. Having said that, no one has asked me to lose weight, I was asked to gain a little weight for Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi but I have always been thin and lean. And in our country there are enough thin girls.”

She also gives us gyaan on how journalists in Hollywood report diligently about somebody’s professional life but never their personal lives (oh yeah!!) and how a certain section of the Indian media gets very “personal” about stars and celebrities, making derogatory comments.

Her frown is soon replaced by a smile as talk veers to Ladies vs Ricky Bahl, her next film with Ranveer Singh due to release on December 7. It’s about a young, smashing conman, Ricky Bahl who dupes a string of girls till he finds his match in Ishika Desai (Anushka). “I play the ‘Versus’ in the film. I am the point of conflict between Ricky and the three girls he has duped of money. My character is a separate entity otherwise I wouldn’t have done the film.”

Much water has flown under the bridge since their first runaway hit together. “During Band Baaja Baraat, we didn’t know each other. We had to slowly learn about each other’s style of working. This time, obviously it was more comfortable. We knew each other’s pace. I respect Ranveer as an actor, he’s driven, he’s passionate about his job. I have genuine fondness for Ranveer.” (Just a few minutes ago, we have heard Ranveer say almost the same things about Anushka, looks like they follow the same ‘press interview’ script).

Anushka is on a roll. Much as she is dying to go on a vacation, Vishal Bhardwaj’s next with Imran Khan (which earlier had Ajay Devgn) – “Imran suits the character very well. Predict the unpredictable from him in this film” she chirps — and Yash Chopra’s next starring Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif are going to tie her down to the studios for the next four months atleast. “He is the Yash Chopra, who’s made beautiful romantic films. I am lucky to be working with him so early in my career. As for Vishal, he’s very gentle and calm; it just rubs off on you.”

Meanwhile, the PR signals for the interview to be over and Anushka gets up stretching her never ending legs. As she glances at herself in the giant mirror lining the wall, I can’t help but wonder at her ‘painfully’ thin frame! Oops, thank god, she can’t read my thoughts.

- Kshama Rao

Is The Dirty Picture based on the life and times of Silk Smita?

At the very outset, let me make it very clear to you that my role in The Dirty Picture is not at all based on the real life story of starlet Silk Smita but inspired by her story. I’d say that it is the story of a dancing star, which was very popular in the 80’s. Though there were quite a few dancing stars like Silk Smita, Nylex Nalini, Disco Shanti and Polyester Padmini, it was only Silk Smita who was at the top of the heap at that point of time.

What is the relevance of the title The Dirty Picture?

The title is apt because the idea is to blast the prevailing myth about dancing stars in the industry and the way they are often looked down upon. It is about our perception of the dancing stars. It is about the double standards that we have. We like to see porn in private but in public we often choose to say that we all do not at all like to see such stuff.

Do you believe that women today can openly revel in their sexuality?

You should be able to live your life on your own terms and conditions, whether you are a sex symbol or not. Society is made up of you and me, whether a male or a female and rules and regulations change form time to time and it is we who decide what is good and what is bad at a point of time. I’d say that women had better status 40 years ago and we had actresses like Nutan and Meena Kumari playing substantial roles in films. Today the situation has definitely deteriorated, though I should confess that we are not isolated as stars and are not relegated to just a few friends since we have our own lives.

Okay, tell me what is your role in the film?

I play the role of a struggling dancing actress called Silk. Silk is a bindaas, bold, bejijhak and colorful but not a vulgar girl. Though many may feel that she is a besharam ladki, I feel that she is only colorful and not without scruples. Silk has a kind of bachpana in her and has absolutely no double standards and does what exactly she wants to do. What Silk is, besides her body is what the film The Dirty Picture will set out to tell.

What was your reaction when you were offered the role by Ekta Kapoor?

To tell you the truth, when Milan Luthria came to me with the offer and told me that I was to play a role inspired by the late Silk Smita, I was initially flabbergasted and wondered why was selected for the role. Milan told me that he would tell me why I was selected for the role only at the time of the release of the film. Milan also told me that he could not see any one else in my shows as far as the role as concerned.

If your character in the film is not based on her real life story, why has she been named Silk?

My character could have had any other name but Milan said that he chose the name Silk because it is a nationally known name since Smita made it famous. The original name of Smita was Vijayalakshmi but we did not keep the name as Vijayalakshmi or for that matter Smita.

Would you say that your character of Silk is vulgar?

Silk is not at all ashleel. You see, every woman is sensuous. Silk was used as a tool to seduce the audiences.

How tough was it for you to prepare for your part since Vidya is a far cry in real life from Silk Smita?

Believe it or not, but the fact is that there has been no preparation at all for the part of Silk in The Dirty Picture by me. Milan is a director who told me that I should psyche myself to, prepare for my part by being bindaas in my own style. When you compare it with the number of times that I generally read other scripts before I agree to work in a film, I should confess that I read the script of Dirty Pictures very less.

How embarrassed were you initially to take up the role?

First and foremost I am happy to be an actor. In the process, I am game to play either the role of a mother to a 14 year old Amitabh Bachchan, a bespectacled deglamorised Sabrina in a No One Killed Jessica or a temptress like Silk in The Dirty Picture. I do not want to be just a Vidya Balan in every film in which I am acting and want to play a variety of roles. If I had wanted to do only sexy roles like in Ishqiya, I would not have dared to take up a role like I did in No One Killed Jessica immediately after I had complete working in Ishqiya.

How was the experience of playing Silk?

I thoroughly enjoyed exploring that side of me. It helped me that I had seen Sadma. I also made it a point to watch a few moves of dancing actresses like Nylex Nalini, Polyester Padmini etc, though Silk Smita was definitely ahead of her times. Today’s girls are unapologetic and in total command of themselves. Silk took pride in doing what she did, like I am sure today a Raakhi Sawant takes pride in doing.

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And how was the experience of working with Naseeruddin Shah for the second time in The Dirty Picture after Ishqia?

Naseer Sir is one of the veteran living legends and I knew that I would be very comfortable with him because he would make me comfortable. Naseer Sir can even make you believe that he is a flower vase. Being part of the song Oolaalaala was a wonderful experience for both me and Naseer Sir. Naseer Sir told me that it was after a long time after Oye Oye in Tridev that he has been able to do a song and dance sequence like Ooolaalaala in The Dirty Picture. After rolling down the slopes on oranges, I now have great respect for actors who have done such songs, like Jeetendra and Sridevi. I have worn some 130 costumes for the film and what’s more have also gone through seven to eight changes every day.

Was it embarrassing for you to flaunt your panting neck deep cleavage in The Dirty Picture?

If you look like chess or for that matter a carom board, what is the big deal of being a woman? I have absolutely no limitations at all as an actress and can play a sexually aggressive girl like in The Dirty Picture or the mother to a 14 year old young man like in Paa, as I said earlier. In any case, I was flaunting my cleavage just as part of the character Silk and not as Vidya Balan. Isn’t it?

You have serenaded in a lot of saris in The Dirty Picture, especially red saris!

I simply love saris a lot, because it adapts to anybody, whether one is slim or fat and celebrates feminity and womanhood in a major way and makes a woman look 100% like a woman.

How was it working with Milan Luthria for the first time in The Dirty Picture?

With a director like Milan Luthria, it is always work in progress, since he gets so much into detailing as he is a very committed director. What I liked the best about Milan is that he let me interpret my character 70% the way I did and guided me only 30% to tweak me whenever I went overboard. I was on the ball constantly because I surrendered myself completely to him and I’d not hesitate to state that it was for the first time that I had depended on a director so much to interpret my character in a film, because he showed so much faith in me.

You had worked with Ekta Kapoor in her TV serial Hum Paanch in the beginning of your career and now have act din her film The Dirty Picture. How would you describe her?

Ekta’s conviction is quite strong. She is the actual driving force behind The Dirty Picture. Ekta started when she was very young and succeed in writing her own rules, because she had passion. What I like about Ekta is that despite all the success, she is still a girl and has not become a woman.

How did you break the ice with Emran Hashmi and Tusshar, considering both are known to be quite shy?

Emran would not talk much initially and we got along only after a few scenes were canned with us. I’d say that still he is a man of a few words. By the time the film was almost complete, Milan and I decided to pull a prank on Tusshar and I mouthed a few lines at tangent to what my character was supposed to mouth but Tusshar did not bother or cringe and unperturbedly went ahead and mouthed only those dialogues which he was supposed to deliver.

You have kissed both Emran Hashmi and Tusshar in The Dirty Picture. Who is a better kisser?

Instead of comparing Emran with Tusshar, I’d rather state that, if I ever get an opportunity, I’d love to kiss George Clooney.

Do you get disturbed after you complete a film, after getting into the skin of your complex characters?

I go through pangs at the end of each and every film that I do. I used to get very disturbed every time I used to play a complex character but now I have learnt to disconnect myself from work, because I get too involved when I get into the skin of my character and in the process even became sick. Now I am just the way I am because I realize that there are easier ways to act.

Who are your favorite actors?

I am tempted to state that both Amitabh Bachchan and Naseeruddin Shah are two of my favorite actors, because they are so humble and not at all complacent.

Why have you become very choosy as an actress?

It is true that I am choosy, because I choose to do what I believe in. It ahs been paying me so far and I hope that it will continue to pay me in the near future too. Last year, after Paa the year before, I had just one release- Ishqia. This year I had just a release-No One Killed Jessica. The Dirty Picture will be my second release this year on December 2, which incidentally happens to be the birthday of the late Silk Smita too. Kahani directed by Sujoy Ghosh will be released next year in January.

What is your role in Kahani?

I play a woman who is six months pregnant in the film. The body language came easy to me because I had observed my own sister at close quarters before she delivered twins – a baby daughter called Ira and a son called Ruhaan recently. It is a thriller about a pregnant woman who comes to Mumbai in search of her husband from London.

Does it mean that you are turning down films left right and centre?

I just cannot physically do every film that comes my way. I had even turned down a good offer to be part of Ghayal 2 because I was already committed to The Dirty Picture during the time when they wanted me to dole out my dates for the film.

But why did you turn down Vishal Bharadwaj’s offer to cast you in Dhed Ishqiya?

I did not turn down the offer to be part of the Ishqiya sequel titled Dhed Ishqiya. I would have loved to be part of it but Vishal and Abhishek Chaubey chose to dispense away with the character continue the story from where it ended and now Naseer Sir and Arshad will go to another city where they will come across another woman, played by Madhuri Dixit in the film.

What kind of a man do you get turned on? Is marriage with Sidharth Roy Kapoor on the cards?

I like clean shaved men. All that I can say at this point of time is that I am not ready for marriage now though I believe in the institution of marriage.

- Jyothi Venkatesh

The Dirty Picture (December 2^nd, 2011)

Vidya Balan’s movies in the past have been a hit or miss. She had a great debut with Parineeta but lately her string of movies has been uneven. She plans to break this trend with The Dirty Picture.

She plays the late South Indian actress Silk Smitha who fired up a storm in the late 80’s and 90’s with her sexual innuendos. Co-starring with her is the always reliable Naseeruddin Shah, serial-kisser Emraan Hashmi, and always-present Tusshar Kapoor. Let’s see if this movie revives Vidya Balan’s career or makes her choose an unneeded break.

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Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl (December 9^th, 2011)

The team of Band Baaja Baarat is back! Literally, every member of last year’s word-of-mouth hit is back. Starring Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma, the movie is about a con man that has conned 28 girls in 17 cities with his charm, but now has met his ultimate match.

The movie also is the launching point of Priyanka Chopra’s niece, Parineeti Chopra and the music provided by Salim-Sulaiman is already creating a dancing storm around the world.

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Hugo (December 9^th, 2011)

Based on Brian Selznick’s captivating and inventive New York Times bestseller The Invention of Hugo Cabret, it tells the 1930s story of a young orphan boy living a secret life in a Paris train station who meets a young girl that changes everything and he gets caught up in a baffling adventure. Martin Scorsese, the greatest living filmmaker on this planet is the director which is enough to make you excited. The book relies heavily on pictures and it is Martin Scorsese’s first brush with 3D and family film which makes the wait even more compelling. The star cast is great too with Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jude Law, Ray Winstone and Christopher Lee along with hugely talented child actors Asa Butterfield as Hugo Cabret (of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas fame) and Chloë Moretz (of Kick Ass fame) as Isabelle.

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Sherlock Holmes 2 (December 16^th, 2011)

Guy Ritchie surprised everybody with the first Sherlock Holmes by injecting a real dose of excitement in the legendary saga where the characters had great chemistry, although it was hardly based on anything Conan Doyle had written.  While the plot remains a mystery, what is known is that Holmes’ (played by Robert Downey Jr.) more intelligent, but unmotivated, older brother, Mycroft (Stephen Fry), will make an appearance, and that Holmes’ greatest literary villain, Professor James Moriarty, will figure prominently, possibly portrayed by  Jared Harris (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button).  Noomi Rapace of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo fame joining the cast as yet-to-be-revealed character is just the icing on the cake. We hope the director doesn’t forget the elementary: mystery element.

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Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (December 16^th, 2011)

The return of Ethan Hunt. But more than Tom Cruise, we are interested in Anil Kapoor making his appearance in a mainstream Hollywood film. The fourth installment of the Mission Impossible series will see Kapoor playing an antagonist along with Michael Nyqvist (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) Léa Seydoux (Inglorious Basterds). With Cruise’s film hardly evoked any great interest thanks to his fading star power, the inclusion of Jeremy Renner, Josh Holloway, and Paula Patton in the cast made all the right noises. The film will also mark the introduction of Renner’s character, who’ll be Cruise’s successor to the franchise. MI: 4 will be the actor’s swan song and it deserves to be watched to see how it all ends. The globe-trotting adventure will be directed by Brad Bird, who’ll be taking a leap from the genre of animation with this project.

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The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (December 21^st, 2011)

This is the American film adaptation of the award-winning crime novel by Swedish author and journalist Stieg Larsson, the first in his Millennium Trilogy, which became a worldwide bestseller after his death in November 2004. Being directed by David Fincher (The Social Network), the project is in safe hands but interestingly the director was a little hesitant in picking up this project since it dealt with some of the same dark themes touched in his earlier films Zodiac and Seven.  The story has a chilly Swedish backdrop of moody psychodramas from Bergman films where we have Carl Mikael Blomkvist, a reporter filling the role of detective, and his sidekick, Lisbeth Salander, aka the girl with the dragon tattoo hired to get to the bottom of a case of disappearance thus uncovering astonishing secrets with unexpected twists and turns.  The success of the brilliant screen adaptations have made Noomi Rapace a hot property in Hollywood, it would be an acid test for Rooney Mara who’s been cast as the lead. And yes, Daniel Craig is a part of the cast too.

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Don 2 (December 23^rd, 2011)

The King is back! After a disappointing stint with Ra.One, Shah Rukh looks to have the last laugh of 2011 with Don 2. He’ll be back to his old ways in this action-thriller which is the first of its kind. It’s the first sequel to a remake and the way the promos are it looks like there is nothing to be missed.

Now, having conquered the Asian underworld, Don (Khan) now has his sights set on European domination. In his way are the bosses of the existing European underworld and all law enforcement agencies. The action shifts from Kuala Lumpur to Berlin as Don must avoid assassination or arrest, whichever comes first, in order for his plan to succeed.

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War Horse (December 28^th, 2011)

Based on the book of the same name by acclaimed children’s writer, Michael Morpurgo, War Horse is set against a sweeping canvas of rural England and Europe during the First World War. It begins with the remarkable friendship between a horse named Joey and a young man called Albert. When they are forcefully parted in the frenzy of WWI, it follows the extraordinary journey of the horse as he moves through the war, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets. Steven Spielberg has pulled together an overwhelmingly European cast which includes David Thewlis, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, Tom Hiddleston, David Kross, and Stephen Graham shunning Hollywood A-list stars. Like all true stories of great friendship amidst high adventure, the second film by the maverick this year will bring him to the war film zone again. Needless to say, everyone is expecting it to be another epic in the making.

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So, which movie are you going to watch?

- Dipankar Roy, Aniket Thakkar

What is your role in Desi Boyz?

I play the role of a Gujarati boy called Jerry Patel in Desi Boyz. What is interesting to note is the fact that Jerry’s actual name is Jignesh Patel and he has made it a point to change his name to sound like an American as people who migrate from India to USA often do.

Is Desi Boyz an out and out comedy?

I’d say that Desi Boyz is the true story of two boys-one an Indian and another a Pakistani national who are good banker friends who were hit by the recession wave in 2008 and were affected like every one else and even lost their jobs. In order to earn their livelihood, eventually become male escorts. Desi Boyz has been inspired by the story of these two friends though both John and I play Indian desi boys in the film.

Since both of you play the role of male escorts, is it a sleazy film?

Desi Boyz is in no way a sleazy film. We are seen as male escorts in only 10 to 15 minutes in the entire film. It is an emotional film woven around friendship. It is a two hour and two minutes long happy go and feel good chilled out film right from the word go.

How easy or tough was it for you to get into the skin of the character of the male escort?

I’d not hesitate to state that there is not much difference between a male escort and an actor, because like the male escorts, we actors also fulfill people’s fantasies. In fact though we are known as actors in English, we call ourselves bhands in Hindi. All that I had to learn to get into the character of my skin as a male escort was to learn pole dancing in London for six days as part of the preparation for the role.

To what extent are you desi at heart?

I am Rajeev at home even though I am Akshay Kumar outside my house even today. I have not forgotten my roots. I am fully desi at heart. I am of the opinion that maa baap ke seedhe ladle ladke do not leave their roots. Even today I live with my mother and though it is considered to be cool quotient to talk in hi- fi English, I do not believe in it and like to talk in Hindi whenever and wherever it is possible.

Have you started talking in Hindi only because you want to promote Desi Boyz?

I really feel from my heart that we should talk in Hindi because Hindi is our national language and we are working in Hindi films. In fact, I’d not hesitate to salute Katrina Kaif for talking in Hindi even though it is not at all her mother tongue. As far as promotion of Desi Boyz is concerned, I write on Desi Boyz on tweeter every day.

In what way is Rohit Dhawan, son of David Dhawan different from David?

David Dhawan goes according to the rule and waits for the actors to tell them their scenes and asks them to enact the scenes and keeps the camera according their performances whereas Rohit Dhawan goes by the book and places the camera and then asks his actors to act. There is a world of difference between the working styles of both the father and the son.

Can you elucidate?

Rohit is only 27 years old but is very confident. It is not at all easy to direct stars like Sanjay Dutt on the first day. The difference between David and Rohit is that David is fun loving but Rohit is a little bit serious. If the film Desi Boyz runs in a big way, I’d give the entire credit to only Rohit. I know Rohit ever since he was a tiny boy when I used to work with David Dhawan. Rohit has made a breezy film and I’d say that each scene in the film will make you’d feel that Rohit had felt the same while in college. There is no slap stick kind of comedy in the film and there is no scene of any person falling down over kele ka chilka.

How did you have the confidence to come on board when Rohit decided to turn a director?

Rohit was actually slated to make a film called Come On Pappu with me and a chimpanzee but some how the script did not turn out to be as exciting as we thought that it would and eventually were ended up changing the original script and opted for the script of Desi Boyz and in the process, replaced the chimpanzee with John Abraham instead. (Laughs)

How would you rate John as a co-star?

It is my second film with John after Garam Masala which I had done with him six years ago.I found a lot of difference between the John Abraham of Garam Masala and the john Abraham of Desi Boyz. Like his muscles, his comedy sense of timing also has increased tremendously. Though he is one of the best looking boys in the film industry, what I like about him is that he dopes laid back comedy effortlessly, in the sense his way of delivering dialogues in comedy is effortless. He is like Bean who is subtle and not like Charlie Chapin who was loud and I always tell him that I have to learn his way of laid back comedy as an actor.

How was Chitrangda Singh as your co-actress?

Chitrangda is a dusky looking desi girl who reminds you instantly of the late Smita Patil. It is her first commercial film though she has to her credit quite a few offbeat art films like Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi , Sorry Bhai, Kal and Yeh Saali Zindagi.I remember the first day when we were shooting, Chitrangda was quite petrified when there was a crowd of around 350 people thronging on the location and since she had never come across a situation like I had to make her comfortable by escorting her out of the crowds whereas Deepika Padukone  was quite confident of herself and managed to be at ease in front of the crowds .

What next after Desi Boyz?

I am now all set to act in action films like Prabhu Deva’s Rowdy Rathore produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Rohit Shetty’s assistant Ashish R Mohan’s film Khiladi 786 Made In Punjab produced jointly by my own banner Hari Om Pictures and Himesh Reshammiya’s H. R Muzik and presented by Eros International. It is twelve years since I did an action film. For a long time, I have really not acted in any action film. My son is now 10 years old. He likes to watch action films and is also learning karate. For the next five years at least, I’d love to do action films. I am now 45 years old and after I turn 50, I do not think I can continue to do action packed films.

Are you doing a 20 minute cameo in Khiladi 786 Made in Punjab?

Though I am the producer of the film, I have heard reports in the media that I have been paid a sum of Rs 20 cro0res for acting in the film. I have also heard that I am doing just a cameo in the film. Damn it Man, it is an action comedy and I am playing the title role in it. Why should I do a cameo role in my own film?

Why are you now veering towards negative roles after doing comedy roles?

With Rowdy Rathore, which is a remake of a South Indian hit and Once Upon A Time In Mumbai sequel for Ekta Kapoor, I want to try my hand after a long time at negative roles. I do not think my fan following will decrease if I do negative roles. Are you aware that the fan following of both John Abraham and Hrithik Roshan tripled after they did negative roles in Dhoom? We used to have a wrong perception about an actor who plays a negative role. Ranjeet has played the rapist in many films but do you know that he is a seedha saadha guy who is actually a vegetarian? I have always been a naughty person on the sets and like to play pranks on my unsuspecting co-actors, because I feel that if you do not do masti, you will end up getting bored on the sets and also make every one bored of you, though there are actors who like to maintain their distances and do not do masti at all on the sets while shooting.

How do you manage to get time to spend with your family amidst your hectic schedule?

I do not work at all on Sundays and on Saturdays I work from 7 am to 2 pm, because I  like to spend time with my family. We love going to swim. My son likes trekking and hence we go to Gorai or Bhayander, where there is a mountain called Mama Bhanja near Pokhran. We play volleyball too. I also cook on Sundays at home.

Shah Rukh Khan has said that he had set out to make Ra One for his son. Would you also make a film for your son?

I did the voice over for films like Transformers, Jumbo etc because my son wanted me to dub for them but I would not lie to make a film for him, because lets face facts film making is a business which involves crores of rupees. In any case, my son likes to watch only cartoons like Tom & jerry and does not like to watch even my own film.

What is your take on relationships?

I have always believed that you should be very honest as far as your relationships are concerned and give it a lot of time to nurture it, though it does not take time to break any relationship

Which has been your high point and low point this year?

I have seen so many low points as far as my career is concerned, that honestly my low points too have been my high points but I have not let any of my low point affect me at all.

How would you evaluate your growth over the years as an actor?

It is 21 years since I had made my debut with Pramod Chakraborty’s Deedar opposite Karisma Kapoor. I have grown by leaps and bounds not only age but also experience as well as bank accounts. My family also has grown and the number of films I have done also has grown by leaps and bounds but people know me right from the beginning like you do can vouchsafe for the fact that I am still the same old Rajiv Bhatia.

 Jyothi Venkatesh

]]> http://blog.bigcinemas.com/2011/11/23/desiboyz/feed/ 0 bigcinemas Desi Boyz http://blog.bigcinemas.com/2011/11/07/november-movie-preview/ http://blog.bigcinemas.com/2011/11/07/november-movie-preview/#comments Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:26:40 +0000 BIG Cinemas http://blog.bigcinemas.com/?p=2175 ]]> As the year comes to an end, the number of movies releasing are endless, so we have narrowed down the must-watch movies of the month. For November, we make some robberies, witness the rise and all of a star, turn into strippers (?), and you know, have-an-animated-cat-do-cool-moves-along-with-the return-of-legends’ stuff. Welcome to November Movie Previews.

Tower Heist (November 4^th, 2011)

Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy lead an all-star cast in Tower Heist, a comedy caper about working stiffs who seek revenge on the Wall Street swindler who stiffed them. After the workers at a luxury Central Park condominium discover the penthouse billionaire has stolen their retirement, they plot the ultimate revenge: a heist to reclaim what he took from them. The film also has actors like Matthew Broderick, Casey Affleck, Zachary Levi, Tea Leoni, Gabourey Sidibe, Judd Hirsch, Alan Alda, Bobby Cannavale, Tim Blake Nelson, Jon Voight and Wallace Shawn in supporting roles and Brett Ratner of Rush Hour fame is the director of the film. Sounds like a lot of fun.

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Puss In Boots (November 4^th, 2011)

Puss In Boots, one of the most adored characters from the Shrek universe is the first spinoff of the franchise and will tell the uproarious tale of Puss’s (voiced by Antonio Banderas) early adventures as he teams with mastermind humpty dumpty (voiced by Zach Galifianakis) and the street – smart kitty (voiced by Salma Hayek) to steal the famed goose that lays the golden eggs. Swords will cross and hearts will be broken in this swashbuckling adventure before the cat meets Shrek and his friends, while introducing new characters as well. Since the Shrek franchise has ballooned into a multibillion-dollar property, with three feature films grossing more than $2 billion worldwide in theatres, this one will be no less than a blockbuster. Is another animation franchise about to be born? We sure hope so.

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Rockstar (November 11^th, 2011)

Imtiaz Ali has a knack of making movies that are different yet successful. First it was Jab We Met, then Love Aaj Kal, and now he shows the story of a Rockstar.

Ranbir Kapoor stars as a simple Delhi boy who sets out to find the pain that will make his life and music go beyond the realm of the ordinary.  With every passing day, his relentless pursuit of love and pain translates into words and music, transcending the heart and the soul. But what might give him greatness might also destroy him.

The movie has all the bearings of a blockbuster, and with newcomer Nargis Fahkri in the female lead, it is all set for an epic love story. Now, just hopefully the critics agree with that statement.

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Immortals (November 11^th, 2011)

Another cinematic epic of on Greek gods is on its way, though the revival of Clash of The Titans hardly pleased the critics despite good box-office return. The saving grace is that it’s been helmed by Indian director Tarsem Singh who has been hailed as a revolutionary visualist thanks to his previous films (The Cell, The Fall). It will tell the story of warrior prince Theseus as he leads men into battle against imprisoned titans in order to save mankind. Originally titled War of the Gods, it stars Henry Cavill as Theseus, Indian actress Freida Pinto as Phaedra, Stephen Dorff as Stavros, Kellan Lutz as Poseidon, Luke Evans as Zeus, John Hurt as Old Zeus and Isabel Lucas as Athena and Mickey Rourke as villain King Hyperion. It’s a $100 million epic and will be converted to 3D in post-production and will witness Gods doing superhero stunts; time for some heroic action.

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The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (November 18^th, 2011)

Cynics might ridicule but followers are just waiting with bated breath to pounce on the next installment of Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight saga featuring Bella Swan, Edward Cullen and Jacob Black. The longest book in the series and because of its complex structure and size, the tale of glittering vampires and buff werewolves has been split into two separate films. The first part will be arriving in theatres in November while the second part will be released next year, a tactic to milk the franchise vis-à-vis Harry Potter. Told from the perspectives of Bella and Jacob, the series is expected to make its way up at the ticket counter with the trademark below average acting from the cast members that include the wildly popular Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner.  The only respite is that Oscar-winning screenwriter and Dreamgirls director Bill Condon has been hired to direct along with Melissa Rosenberg penning the screenplay.

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Happy Feet 2 (November 18^th, 2011)

Those crazy penguins are back! The most famous tap-dancing penguin, Mumble (Elijah Wood) returns along with the love of his life, Gloria and their old friends Ramon and Lovelace (Robin Williams) in the sequel of 2006 smash hit. Mumble and Gloria now have a son of their own, Erik, who is trying to find his own space while new dangers are looming large on the penguin nation. While Brittany Murphy, the original voice actress of Mumble’s love interest Gloria has passed away, singer Pink will be the replacement and she is composing an original song too for the soundtrack. The success of the first film, along with its eco-friendly message, has attracted Brad Pitt and Matt Damon to the sequel who will be giving voiceover for tiny krill. Hank Azaria and Sofia Vergara will also appear in the movie as new characters. Time to dance and save the world.

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Desi Boyz (November 23^rd, 2011)

David Dhawan has always released comedies that have made us laugh off our seats and now his son, Rohit, is all set to do the same with his debut directorial venture, Desi Boyz. The movie is carrying all the star power with Akshay Kumar, John Abraham and Deepika Padukone, but the actress stealing the spotlight is Chitrangada Singh. You might have not heard of her, but she’s turning all the heads by getting this lead and she will also be starring Race 2 so be on the lookout for this beauty as she is all set to set the screen on fire.

But, Desi Boyz is the story of two men who are forced to do something extremely bizarre which gives them instant gratification but the repercussions tear them apart and its aftermath which tests everything including their friendship.

So, ‘make some noise for the desi boyz. Un. Dos. Tres. Let’s go’

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The Muppets (November 23^rd, 2011)

Jason Segel’s puppet rendition of Dracula in Forgetting Sarah Marshall made many fans amongst us and he is the right person to revive the Muppet franchise. Being a self-described Muppet nerd, Segel wrote the script alongside Get Him to the Greek screenwriter Nicholas Stoller. The film will tell the story of an evil oil tycoon threatening to tear down the Muppets’ theatre in order to drill for oil underneath. The gang must band together to put on the greatest show the world’s ever seen in order to save the theatre. With actors like Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones on board and celebrity cameos from the likes of Alan Arkin, Jack Black, Billy Crystal, Lady Gaga, Ed Helms, and Jean-Claude Van Damme among other spread all over the film is sure to bring back nostalgic memories of everyone’s childhood.

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Arthur Christmas (November 23^rd, 2011)

Have you ever wondered how Santa manages to deliver all those wonderful presents in one single night? Well, if yes, then next Christmas, the answer will be revealed in front of your eyes, with a twist of course. A quirky take on the legend of Santa, the story will revolve around Santa and his one ultra-high-tech operation hidden beneath the North Pole. The hitch is that Santa’s good-natured but clumsy younger son Arthur has a very urgent mission that must be completed before Christmas morning dawns. The film features the voice talent of James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton and Ashley Jensen.

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So, which movie are you going to watch this November?

- Dipankar Roy, Aniket Thakkar

Diwali represents the time of celebration, lights, excitement and entertainment. Now, the new year is here, so, here are some well wishes to our fans FROM our fans! Here are some:

How did you meet Himesh Reshammiya?

I was directing the serial Teen Bahuraniyaan when Himesh Reshammiya landed on the sets of the serial to promotte his film Aap Ka Suroor. It was for the first time that I met him. I had heard that though Himesh was very shy when he was making serials in Gujarati and Hindi earlier, he had turned arrogant and started throwing tantrums and having attitude ever since he had started acting, but he proved all the rumors to be wrong and I was pleasantly surprised on the sets when he gelled with most of my artistes since they hailed from the Gujarathi stage.

How did you bag the offer to direct Damadamm?

Three months after he had shot with us to promote Aap Ka Suroor, Himesh’s manager Singh called me to Himesh’s office. I was then directing  Bandan Saat Janmonka. I had been struggling for 22 years to get a break in films as a director.I met Himesh and he told me that he wanted me to direct a film for him and asked me if I had a story with me.

That is how Damadamm went on the floors!

No. Initially I had suggested to Himesh to make the film called Ishq Unplugged written by Subrat Sinha. In fact we had even started the pre production work but Himesh sent me the script of Damadamm to ask me whether I liked it. The moment I read it, I was so excited with it that I even told Himesh that I told him that I would like to direct Damadamm and asked him to let some one else direct Ishq Unplugged, since Damadamm was also written by Subrat Sinha.Initially we had kept the working title of Damadamm as Ishq Unplugged but later changed it to Damadamm.

What is the USP of your film?

Simplicity and feel good quality are the USP of my film which is a romcom, not a slap stick comedy, unlike Ishq Unplugged was a pure love story. My film has the flavor of Chotisi Baat and Rajnigandha. It is a Basu Chatterjee kind of slick of life film with relatable characters which are not at all larger than life.

Tell me about you background as a director of TV serials!

My first serial was Ahankar way back in 1994 which was on air on DD Metro. I had even directed two documentaries as well as serials in Gujarathi before it. I had also assisted directors like Sanjay Surkar and Nana Patekar’s wife Neelkanti Patekar in Marathi serials like Raoo and Darne ka Nahi respectively.It was when I met Radhika Borgaonkar who was acting in Darne ka Nahi that she suggested that we produce a serial together and hence we made the pilot episode of Ahankaar.

When did your phase with Ekta Kapoor and Balaji start?

After Ahankaar, my phase with Ekta and Balaji started and I directed a series of serials for Ekta like Maano Ya Na Maano, Captain House, Karma, Karam, Kalash, Kutumb and Kehna Hai Kuch Mujhko.

Why did you not wait for a big banner like say Yashraj or Red Chillies to make your debut as a dierctor in films instead of Himesh Reshammiya’s banner?

Even on TV, I never thought of making my debut with a big banner. Ekta Kapoor for me was just Jeetuji’s daughter, because when I made my debut, Balaji was not established as a banner. I have always worked only whenever I was excited, never for a banner.

How was Himesh as an actor?

Himesh was the most obedient actor on the sets. He even confessed to me that he was not a great actor and wanted me to put him on a theatre workshop. He is a thinking actor, who even argues at times but lets the director have the final say. I would not call his suggestions as interference

How tough was casting your actors in Damadamm?

Since Himesh was producing the film, I did not have to look ariound for the hero. I cast Purvi Joshi as Shikha because I needed a girl who could pass off as a middle class girl. We did not need a glamorous girl but a girl next door and Purvi fitted the buill. Purvi has a great sense of timing and is a great mimic. As far as Sonal was concerned, I knew her since she had already acted in my serial Hotel Kingston. Damadamm is not her first film since she had already acted in Ashayein when I approached her. Radio happened after I cast her in my film. Sonal has also acted in Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hain.

What difference did you find between TV and films as a director?

The basic difference is that I had to tell the entire story in a span of just two hours on the big screen whereas I could go on and on on TV. Growth is an every day process on TV because every day  something new happens as far as technology is concerned and you have to reinvent every day on TV.You tackle a different emotion off screen and on screen and have a bonding with your actors. I had the liberty to be subtle in films, because the audiences are glued to the screen and are not distracted like on the small screen. It helped me since these days films are becoming more and more realsitic while TV is becoming larger than life. I was sure that technique should not overpower the script in any way.I shot my film in 50 days at a cost of just 6 crores.

What next?

I have been a candy floss escapist director all my life. I now want to direct a stark, realistic film. Since I have done a Masters in Theatre, I am also toying with the idea of starting an acting school in the near future.

- Jyothi Venkatesh

Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge is your debut film as a director. Have you assisted any other filmmaker?

I had assisted Ketan Mehta in the making of Aar Yaa Paar for almost three years and learnt the ropes of the trade as a filmmaker.

What is your film all about?

My film is about four friends-Vishal, Rahul, Malvika and Preeti. Vishal and Preeti cannot stand each other and are under confident. Vishal falls for Malvika though he does not have the guts to confess his love to her and takes on the identity of Rahul to converse with her while Preeti, who has the ‘hots’ for Rahul, takes on the identity of Malvika to strike up an online friendship with Rahul. My film is a play between the online emotion and the virtual world.

Did it make any difference that you are a woman director on the sets?

On the sets, it does not make even an iota of difference whether you are a woman director or a man who is calling the shots, as long as you know what you are doing as far as your craft is concerned.

What the message that you have set out to drive home through your film?

I have set out to drive home the subtle message that it is cool to be who you are in life, because you are special and no one else can get into your shoes. I also have set out to show that real life is better than on line life, because it has more of real emotions than on line life.

Were you skeptical whether the elderly audience would be able to relate to your film?

Frankly speaking, I was worried till Yashji saw the film and said that the emotions in the film will carry the film through and added that he enjoyed it because it had a universal value.

How did you stumble on the idea for your film?

I would not like to hog the credit for the story idea because it was Adi who called me to his office and gave me two ideas and asked me to choose whichever I deemed fit, since he wanted me to direct a film for his Y Films. I liked the idea and told him that I would start working on it with my writer Anvita Dutt.

How did you bag the offer to direct a film from YFF?

Out of the blue, I got a call from Raveena Kohli, who told me that they wanted me to direct a serial form Yashraj Films and said that it would be followed up with an offer to me to direct a film for YRF’s youth wing. It was a lovely carrot which was dangled in front of me when I was asked to direct Mahi Ve for YRF and I could not resist it. It was a lovely experience for me to direct not only Mahi Ve but also Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge.

You had written for films like Chance Pe Dance and Chain Khuli Ki Main Khuli. Why did you ask Anvita to write for your film?

I was very clear in my mind that I would only direct my film and did not want to saddle myself with the responsibility of writing it too. In any case Anvita had written for my serial Mahi Ve, which also I had directed for YRF and had found that she has a way with the language.

You made your debut with the serial Hip Hip Hurray. Which are the other serials that you have directed besides Hip Hip Hurray and Mahi Ve?

I had also directed serials like Time Bomb and Hubahu. The major difference between directing a feature film and a TV serial is that there is a lot of attention to detail as far as a feature film is concerned whereas when you direct a TV serial, you have to grapple with the pressure of your deadline and episode banking. You do not get time at all when you direct a TV serial whereas you get more time to prepare when you make a feature film. I shot for as many as 25 episodes of Mahi Ve in a span of 160 days whereas I shot for 50 days on the digital format with a budget that is under 5 crores for Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge which has a running time of 105 minutes. Do you know that even films like Spiderman and Social Network were made on the digital format with the same camera?

What next after Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge?

Though I have a three film contract with YRF, I am not at all in a hurry to launch my next film, though I have several ideas floating in my mind. I am open to making films of all genres, whether with stars or with new comers, depending upon the subject, because I feel that it is always the subject that dictates the casting of a film.

- Jyothi Venkatesh