Breaking Rules

Abraham in the lead,Kukunoor has rolled out a drama about a compulsive gambler. “In this film business,everytime you feel you have figured it all out,you get to learn something new,” he says about the reasons for the delay. “The producers (Percept Picture Company) and the distributors (Reliance Big Pictures) had some differences. I am happy that they have sorted it out now,” he smiles. The film will be released on August 27.

Despite the hassle,Kukunoor isn’t tempted to start his own production house. “What I don’t enjoy about producing a film is that it distracts me from directing,” he says,adding that he had produced his first film,Hyderabad Blues,made on a budget of Rs 17 lakh,in 1998.

He hopes to bring his loyal audience back to the big screen with Aashayein,after Bombay to Bangkok and 8X10 Tasveer failed to click. “When a film doesn’t do well,it is like a punch in the stomach. I was obviously hurt. But more than anything else,I believe that my last two releases were victims of perception. I had built a fan base with Iqbal and Dor,and they were aghast with the two films that followed,” says the filmmaker.

Kukunoor’s signature style is to cast actors in roles they have never attempted earlier. While Juhi Chawla did a non-glamorous role in 3 Deewarein,Kukunoor got Ayesha Takia and Shreyas Talpade to show unexpected shades in Dor and Iqbal respectively. “When actors are cast in a particular kind of role for a long time,they become a victim of that persona. They are petrified to step out of the boundary. The joy of this business is that it is make belief. Whenever I cast against the type,it becomes exciting for me,” explains Kukunoor,who is set to change Abraham’s image with Aashayein. “The image of John is that of a hunk who takes off his shirt and rides bikes. This movie is going to break that.”

And if the film does well,Kukunoor is gearing to explore other spaces. “I have technically written my first love story; then there is a nice,fun film on sports,about an underdog. I have also written my first horror film,” he says.

And after years,the acting bug has returned,stronger than ever. “The last time I felt really committed to acting was in 3 Deewarein,but now I feel like plunging my teeth into a good role,but ‘what’ is the question.”