“I cant make a social statement every time”

(Cuts in) That was ages ago. It was more of an accident. Even now,Prawaal Raman (director of 404 Error Not Found),who is a friend of mine,wanted me to act. He had narrated the script a year ago and at a friendship level we had thought,main ek role to karunga. But when he came to me with the main role I asked him whether he was sure he wanted me to do it. Initially I was scared because it was a complicated character to play. However,Prawaal was hell-bent on me and since he had the conviction I decided to do it.

When you came into the industry,did you want to be an actor or director?

I have always wanted to be a director. Whenever I have acted,it is only because a friend wanted me to do so. Acting is fun,but I do it only for a change. My passion lies in directing.

Yet,your role and the film have won rave reviews. Tell us about the process you went through for the role since it was complicated.

I had to undo myself as a director. Its natural to think about the set,lighting and camera angles as this comes to me instinctively. I consciously decided to stop thinking on those lines and concentrated only on the character. The role was of a professor of psychiatry so I had to go on the Internet and study the disorder that was being talked about in the film. I found out what exactly is Bipolar Disorder. I did not meet any psychiatrists,though.

How much did you contribute in the interpretation of your role?

Honestly,it was completely Prawaals interpretation. I blindly copied him. I had decided that I will only be an actor on the set and surrendered to him completely.

What was the experience?

It was a regular acting assignment,the only thing is that I had more knowledge about the subject.

Which scene was particularly challenging?

Its the scene where I am telling Tisca (Chopra) that the student Abhimanyu is becoming like me. It was difficult because I had to break down simultaneously.

What happens to you after doing such an emotional scene?

It drains you out completely. Its like resetting your clock to zero. But that happens even as a director,which is why I take a break of around three to four months after every film.

Did you think 404 Error Not Found will be so well-received?

Honestly,I didnt think about that. I just enjoyed acting in it. Every movie comes with a certain destiny.

Will we see you on screen more now?

I am not sure. I have got around three offers already but I am going easy on it. My first priority is the film that I am directing,Force,which will release in September.

Is the film complete?

We have finished shooting 90 per cent of the film,I am left with 10 days of work. Only two songs are yet to be shot. One will be picturised in Ladakh and another in South Africa.

What prompted you to remake the Tamil film Khakha Khakha?

It was just for the fun and challenge of it. I always do what excites me. I had never done a film which had five songs,a love story and a villain,the kind I grew up watching. I thought,if I dont make such a film it would be wrong.

Thats surprising considering the kind of cinema with which you started out.

I agree that I started with a different kind of cinema. But it was my choice. It was also partly because I never had the opportunity to make this kind of a film. Moreover,how long will I keep making socially relevant cinema? I have made three films and it was exciting but I wanted to try something else. I cant be making a social statement every time. Indian cinema has so much music it is an integral part that we should not deny. However,having songs in a film depends on the subject. It would have been foolish to have three songs in Mumbai Meri Jaan. You set your cinema in a particular way and five minutes into the film,the audience should know what they are in for.

Which are your favourite films in the commercial genre?

I loved all films of Amitabh Bachchan,Dharmendra and Jeetendra that I grew up watching,but my favourite is Jewel Thief. I was in the ninth grade when I saw it for the first time. It was the biggest shock when I found that there werent two Dev Anands. After that I saw the film 10 times to understand why there was only one Dev Anand. (Laughs) For me,in Indian cinema,Vijay Anand is god. I would love to remake Jewel Thief,but I dont think it is possible.

Was it when you were making your Tamil film Evano Oruvan that you saw Khakha Khakha?

No,it was John (Abraham) and producer Vipul (Shah) who approached me. They had a project that they wanted me to direct. They asked me to watch Khakha Khakha and told me if I like it I could go ahead.

How many changes have you made to it?

I have made a lot of changes in it to suit my sensibilities.

Did you feel John was right for the role?

John was always apt for the role. However, I wanted him to have more muscle. He should look convincing when he hits two guys simultaneously. John has come out with flying colours. Genelia (D Souza) is also fabulous in the film. You should watch out for her.

What kind of action can we expect from the film?

The action has been choreographed by Allan Amin. I discussed with him in detail about the kind of work I expected from him. Since I believe in realism,we agreed to have quasi-real action scenes. I didnt want John hitting 20 guys at a time or bullets firing from left,right and centre and hes not hit by even one. I tried to maintain that reality factor,yet it is a proper mainstream action film.

What was your experience shooting the song sequences?

Honestly,I had butterflies in the stomach. I had the vision of how it should be but didnt know how to go about it. Choreographers Bosco- Caesar helped me a lot.

After you made your directorial debut with Marathi film Dombivli Fast,you havent made any other Marathi movie.

Look,in six years I have made three films. One Marathi,one Tamil and one Hindi. Its not as if I have made too many films in other languages and ignored Marathi. I just take one year in scripting,casting and shooting a film,irrespective of the language. So,invariably I end up doing a project over two years. But I must tell you,I have found a subject for a Marathi film and will be doing it soon.

This year Marathi movies have bagged manyNational Awards. What is your reaction to that?

Since Shwaas won it in 2005,its been a steady climb for Marathi cinema. Its a welcome change and filmmakers have managed to make brilliant films every year.

What do you think has precipitated the change?

We are exposed to stronger cinema. We have world cinema coming to our homes and it definitely influences us in a good way. The new generation is thinking in that direction,which is reflected in their films.

Which Marathi film has moved you in recent times?

Vihir. I felt it was extraordinary because of its styling,which is European in nature. It tackled a complex issue like debt in an entertaining manner. Besides that there was Valu,Jhing Chak Jhing,Tingya and Natarang,which have all been good.

chaya.unnikrishnan expressindia.com