Spying like a Pro

Q. 2 Did you take any inspiration from any detective portrayed on screen or did you go through any previous cases or incidents?

No, not really! My character wasn’t modelled on anyone, so there was no question of taking inspiration from anyone as such. Also, I didn’t have to go through archives either, because the script was very strong and had almost everything that I needed to know about detectives in general. We have all read detective novels and watched films, so I had a sense of how it works.

Q. 3 During the research process, did you meet any real detective?

I didn’t really meet anyone. But I did speak to a few detectives over the phone, without informing them that I was researching for a film. In fact, I casually called them up as a client. While talking, I just asked them general questions. So that way, there was a little bit of inspiration from them.

Q. 4 What do you think about film-makers sudden interest in detective fiction?

Honestly, detective fiction was always there. But I think there is suddenly a great interest in experimenting with genres. It’s like the universe is conspiring to solve a lot of scams (laughs). I remember there was a time when everyone was making a film on Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Fortunately, we are the first ones to come out, so the idea is fresh.

Q. 5 Who conceptualised the idea of the ‘jasoosi’ blog which created a lot of buzz online?

Ever since Bobby Jasoos was announced, people started asking me, ‘who is that one Bollywood celebrity I would like to do jasoosi on?’ That’s where the idea of setting up a blog came up. We were thinking of innovative marketing ideas anyway, so we had a meeting with Reliance Entertainment. During the discussion, one of us asked, What if we create a blog with harmless information from the industry?’ Everyone reacted positively and that’s how it took off.

Q. 6 So, what’s the response to the blog like?

It’s been fantastic! People have been messaging and calling up to ask things like, ‘is this piece about that XYZ actor?’ and ‘who is your source for this story?’ (laughs). In fact, people are even giving me gossip and random stories, which is great fun.

Q. 7 As a child, were you drawn towards any particular detective on television or film?

Karamchand! I was a big fan of the show and the character. Also, how can we forget Kitty? I remember wanting to start a detective agency or club as a kid. My friends and I would often meet up on the terrace and discuss forming our own detective group, on the lines of Famous Five. We wanted to call it either Famous six or Famous eight (laughs).

Q. 8 Any particular detective film movie that you have always liked?

Ah well! No such film. I have just been a fan of Karamchand.

Q. 9 What is your perspective on detectives after doing this film?

I personally don’t know anyone who has hired a detective. It’s interesting to know that there are people who put themselves into danger, only to get information about someone else. There are parents who want to find out what their children do outside the home. There are others who want to spy on their partners or spouses. I just realised that spying is not a figment of anyone’s imagination, it happens for real! I remember speaking to a detective who told me that she had stayed in someone’s house for six months as a maid to solve the case.

Q. 10 Do you think spying as an occupation has not been given due respect by society?

Absolutely! The profession is rocked with danger. There is a certain lack of dignity when it comes to the profession. I have not heard anyone say, ‘I want to grow up and be a detective’. But I think after all this new age detective films, especially Bobby Jasoos, where Bobby feels proud to be a jasoos, more people will take this up as a profession. Plus, I definitely think detectives should be trained in martial arts and self defence, since its very important for their personal safety.

priya.adivarekar@expressindia.com