A slick thriller

Director A. R. Murugadoss, who helmed Ghajini, Bollywood’s first film to cross the Rs.100 crore mark, on how a rivetting tale about terrorist sleeper cells shaped into an exciting thriller called — Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty

A.R. Murugadoss with Akshay Kumar

Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty has opened well with a collection of around Rs.41.32 crore in the opening weekend. Did you have any figures in mind about the film’s business?

I didn’t have any figures in mind when I was making the film. My focus was to create something different for Akshay Kumar and present a new side of the actor. I was very nervous on the morning of the release, but after I visited different theatres to gauge the audience reaction, I noticed that they were thoroughly enjoying the film. That’s when I heaved a sigh of relief. From the messages that I have received, people have found the script very gripping and have liked the slick pace of the film and the way I have presented Akshay.

How did the idea to make a film on sleeper cells germinate?

It happened a few years ago when I had read a small news about sleeper cells on the internet. I found the whole idea very intriguing and started researching on it. I read a lot of books and visited various sites before I embarked on the film. It is amazing to know that sleeper cells are present in our society and we are not even aware of them. They consist of ordinary people— it could be your next-door neighbour— who’d create mayhem when opportunity strikes.
I first narrated the story to Akshay Kumar, but due to some date issues I couldn’t make the Hindi version first. That’s when I made Thuppakki in Tamil before I started work on Holiday…

What was the biggest challenge of shooting a serious subject that had some stunning chase and action sequences, was fast paced and interlaced with humour?

Shooting Akshay’s chase sequence was a risky stunt. I had arranged for some 100 cars and we shot the sequence on the roads in Andheri, Mumbai. It was the timing that was important, and had to be perfectly synchronised between the actor and men who were driving the cars. If Akshay miscalculated his timing or co-ordination with the drivers, he could have got hurt or the cars could have crashed into each other. But the biggest challenge of the film was managing the crowds when shooting in real locations.

Many feel that the film could have done without the romantic angle. Do you agree?

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This is a problem we are facing in Bollywood. If we make a typical Hindi film, we need songs in the script, and if we try to make something on the lines of a Hollywood film, the songs may not fit in, but the producers don’t want to take that kind of risk. Anyway, I know if we took away the songs, then the film could have become a little tiring for the masses. We needed a break here and there because the Indian audience may not have acceped the story at a stretch.

Which director’s work has influenced you and what’s your next Hindi film? Have you approached Sonakshi Sinha as reported?

I have watched all of Mani Ratnam’s films and am very inspired by the kind of cinema he makes. My next film will be completely different from Ghajini and Holiday… But I will first wrap up my Tamil film Kaththi that is half complete and due for release in Diwali. Only then I will think of another Hindi film and the cast.

geety.sahgal@expressindia.com

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