Laughing all the way

Rajeev Mehta: Of course. Hansa-Praful has been a popular pair on television and no doubt they will be 10 times better in the film.

Did you always see potential in the serial and were you up for the challenge?
Pathak: I definitely did feel that it could be made into a movie. When we stopped the serial,I knew there were certain unexplored territories which would be better explored in the film format. I am glad director Aatish Kapadia and producer J D Majethia came up with a script.

Mehta: After airing 135 episodes,we knew that the serial still had potential. Supriya and I had developed this chemistry between our characters and we had to carry it forward.

The big screen adaptation took a while to materialise. So did you have to work on getting your chemistry back?
Pathak: Initially,I was very apprehensive about getting my accent and mannerisms right. But the day we started shooting,it all fell into place. The Hansa-Praful camaraderie too came about instantaneously.

Mehta: We had a few workshops conducted in order to get our mannerisms and diction right. So when we went to the shoot,we were prepared. When you are doing a film like Khichdi,comedy has to be a part of your attitude.

Which of the Praful-Hansa idiosyncrasies have you played up on screen?
Pathak: The only thing different in the film is the story. The serial was episodic. With the film,we get to present a wholesome story. As a couple though,we are as crazy and stupid as ever. But with the movie,one can explore the characters better.

Mehta: With a film in hand,you are two steps ahead of television. So obviously the level of crazy things we did also increased. The humour is very different from the serial. It’s more situational.

Supriya,can you recall one word in the film which you explain to Praful?
I was to explain to Praful the meaning of ‘telecast’. So I explain it to him this way: “Jab koi thothla mailee caste (low caste) jaise shabd ko bolega,tho kaise bolega?” To which Praful responds,“Telecast.”

Rajeev,can you share with us another such situation is the film?
During a court scene,the judge says,“Order,order”. As usual Hansa asks me the meaning. So I explain to her: “Yaad hai Hansa,jab hum ek bhootwali picture ka shooting dekhne gaye the. Tob director heroine se kya bol raha tha? Bol raha tha aur darr,aur darr.”