Aiming for the sky!

Producer Vashu Bhagnani insists that he didn’t sign Abhishek Bachchan for Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa because he wanted to capitalise on the star son’s rising popularity. "When I heard the story of the film, I realised that we needed an actor who reminded you of Amitabh Bachchan some twenty years ago," the film-maker recounts. "And since I had interacted with Abhishek while we were making Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, I thought he would be the best bet for this role," Bhagnani adds.

Bhagnani says he’s grateful to director J P Dutta for ensuring that Abhishek was appreciated in Refugee. He’s also quick to mention that he hasn’t deprived newcomer Keerthi Reddy of any publicity. "I don’t want to be her godfather who pulls the the strings of her career," he says, justifying his decision to allow her to sign new films even before the release of his own movie.

For him, a movie is in shape when the script is completely finished, he says. "Once everything is on paper, the rest is so simple," Bhagnani explains. Insisting that aggressive publicity helps reach out to the largest audiences available, the producer feels live events involving the aam junta are always the best form of reaching out. He says advance booking on Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa is very impressive. However, he does confess that he’s nervous as hell. "This film means so much to so many people that I’m constantly hoping for its success."