Going Back to his ROOTS

What was the reason to remake a Tamil film and to even retain the title?
I liked the basic idea. However,I have changed almost 70 per cent of the script. What I really liked about the film was the hero’s character and the story which is earthy and simple. As for the title,people started calling it Singham. That is why we decided to retain it.

You have chosen a Maharashtrian flavour to the film.
I chose the Maharashtrian flavour because too many films have been made on UP and Bihar. The hero,Bajirao Singham,played by Ajay Devgn,is a Marathi guy from a small town in Maharashtra.

Does Ajay have dialogues in Marathi?
Ajay looks like any Maharashtrian guy and has even spoken in Marathi. I think it all depends on how he is presented. I have chosen some talented artistes from Marathi cinema like Vijay Patkar,Sachin Khedekar,Ashok Saraf,Suchitra Bandekar,Anant Jog and Sonali Kulkarni. Keeping the Mumbai as well as the north Indian audience in mind,they have spoken simple Marathi words that can be understood easily.

Do you think people will connect with the film?
Why not? Didn’t they connect with Dabanng?

Comparison will be made to Dabanng as it was also a cop film with a touch of rural life flavoured with comedy and action.
I don’t think so. Comparisons were even made during Golmaal but the film worked. Everything depends on the treatment given to the film.

Back-to-back four successful films and all comedies… Now after a gap of almost eight years,you are attempting an action film again. Is it not a risky proposition as people connect with your comedy films?
Actually,Ajay and I were thinking of an action film since All The Best but were not getting a good script. I also wanted to try a raw,simple action film with a lot of drama. When I saw Suriya’s Singham,I felt it was the right story and that is how it started. It is a hard core action film and it is good fun making it. But we are not trying to overdo it. There are stunt scenes only where it is required.

How did you zero upon Kajal Agrawal to play the female lead?
I had seen her in the Telugu hit Magadheera,one of the costliest films made there. For Singham,I was looking for a new face. And I wanted someone who I did not have to work on or teach acting. And when I saw Magadheera,I got what I was looking for. Kajal is a simple girl,not the typical model type but like the girl-next-door. She does not come out of the water in a two-piece neither is she showing her cleavage. Moreover she is an established actor in Tamil and Telugu and she is a good actress. She has no problem with the language as she is a Mumbai girl born and brought up in Churchgate. I think she is like how Anushka Sharma was in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

But isn’t it true that you wanted to cast Anushka Shetty,the girl from the original film?
Yes,she was supposed to do the film but the dates did not match. So the second option was Kajal.

What would be the USP of your film? An action coordinator from Hollywood as is the trend.
Its simplicity. An action film does not mean that there have to be ten action scenes. It has to have drama in it. Take for example,the famous film,Deewar. That movie has just one action scene,in the godown which my dad did,and that was a hit.

And why should I get outside help when we have brilliant technicians here. Moreover,I shoot action scenes myself.

Even as Singham hits the screens,you start work on Bol Bachchan.
Bol Bachchan,which goes on floors on August 1,has Ajay and Abhishek Bachchan in the male lead while two girls are being finalised. The film is also being produced by Ajay along with Shree Ashtavinayak. I shall be with my entire team in Hyderabad for three months completing the shooting this comedy film.

How is that you are shooting in Hyderabad this time and not your favourite Goa?
That is because it is monsoon time and it does not rain much in Hyderabad. As for Goa,I never knew that I would shoot Golmaal there and it would become such a big brand. However,I may come to shoot in Goa for a couple of days with the Bol Bachchan team. (laughs)

Will you release it during Diwali,your lucky time?
That will not be possible as I will not be able to complete the film in two months. I got Abhishek’s dates only from August. And as it is,I am going very fast. Golmaal 3 was released in Diwali last year. I started Singham in March and in August I am on to Bol Bachchan. A director generally takes a break after a release,goes on a holiday and leisurely starts work on his next project. I am not that fortunate.

So is Golmaal 4 in the offing?
We have not thought about it. In fact we need to take a break as we don’t want to kill it by overdoing it.

What about that film with Shah Rukh Khan?
I have signed a deal with UTV to remake Gulzar’s Angoor. For this,I met him once and he liked the narration. Now I have to go back with the entire screenplay and if he likes it,the film will happen. Or else I guess someone else may do it. I also told him that I am busy with Singham and Bol Bachchan and I would require at least six months to write that script.

What is it with remakes now?
Nothing specific. I just liked the idea and have decided to make it.

The original Singham was released in July last year. You are doing the same.
All I know is that it had broken Ghajini’s record there and that Suriya created a havoc when he watched the film with the audience in Bengaluru.

What is in store in 2012?
Bol Bachchan will release followed by Angoor. I am working on the script for an action-comedy with Balaji. There is also a project with Shree Asthavinayak. After that,maybe in 2013,I shall think of Golmaal 4.

You are also one director who has never boasted of his success? Why is that?
I strongly believe that my auqat is of just Rs 150 that a layman pays for watching my film. It is a tiring task to worry about success or failure because the result is out on that Friday at 3 pm. I believe in doing my work and I am glad that I am very lucky that every film of mine is a success.

namita.nivas@expressindia.com