Cop story

I wanted to make something different. I had never made an out-and-out thriller before,and neither had I dealt with a cop drama. Also I wanted to make a simple film,different from the complex movies like Haasil and Charas that I had made before.

Was it easy to get Nana Patekar on board?

It was not as difficult as I had imagined. What bothered me when Nana came on board was how to make optimum use of him. The film was a thriller with lots of twists and turns. I didn’t change the script,but I changed his character a lot. So apart from being a great plot,the film became character-driven as well. I made it more interesting.

Why did you choose Delhi as the setting?

I chose Delhi because Mumbai has been done to death. Also Nana had already done Ab Tak Chhappan and neither he nor I wanted to shoot in the same area as that film. Since I had lived in Delhi,I knew the place pretty well.

How did Mohit Ahlawat come into the picture?

Mohit has only two films to his credit,and frankly I was scared to cast him. Also his earlier movies were action-oriented where the focus was on his physique. When I met him I liked his presence,though I was not sure whether he would be able to act. But without sounding too pompous,I thought I could draw out the actor in him.

Is it true that there was not much of prep mode for Nana as he was well-equipped to play a cop?

We had done a lot of research for his part as a corrupt police officer. But,yes,he was well-equipped to play the part. As a shooter he’s participated in state-level competitions and he is an expert with guns and rifles. He’s also well acquainted with policing work. An art graduate from the JJ School of Arts in Mumbai,he is a sketch artist for the police.

Who are the directors that have inspired you?

My favourite director was the late Vijay Anand. He was versatile and could handle all kinds of subjects,from a comedy like Tere Ghar Ke Saamne to a profound film like Guide to a thriller like Teesri Manzil. The way he used to shoot his songs was also amazing.

You are playing a character inspired by the Bihari politician-turned-murderer,Surajbhan Singh Bhan,in Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs Of Wasseypur. Did you always want to become an actor?

I am from the National School of Drama and specialised in acting,but never pursued the craft after I realised that I was a bad actor. As a director,I can explain when an actor goes wrong,but I am very shy to face the camera.

Actually,it was Anurag’s way of getting back at me because I asked him to act in Shagird. But I quite enjoyed it and I was very comfortable working with him as we are friends. I think Anurag was happy with the result.

What are you presently working on?

The post-production of Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster is going on. The film is a contemporary take off on the yesteryear Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam. The angst of the characters in both movies is the same but the atmosphere and the way they react is different.

Why has there been a delay in the release of Paan Singh Tomar?

It should definitely release in August/September. UTV,which is presenting the film,wanted to release its big projects like Tees Maar Khan,7 Khoon Maaf,No One Killed Jessica,etc.,before they turned to their smaller projects.

When is your film with Arjun Rampal taking off?

We should start shooting in May. Jai Ramji is a North India- based gangster film and is set in Lucknow. Arjun plays a cop and is presently growing a moutache and brushing up his lingo.