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This is an archive article published on July 29, 2011
Love 038; laughter
Back from the first schedule of Housefull2,Riteish Deshmukh is catching up with his architecture work in Mumbai,for which..
Written by Chaya Unnikrishnan
July 29, 2011 05:32 PM IST
6 min read
6 min read
Back from the first schedule of Housefull2,Riteish Deshmukh is catching up with his architecture work in Mumbai,for which he has set up a special office in town. The actor basking in the success of Double Dhamaal talks about playing comic roles and more.
You are just back from the first schedule of Housefull2. How different is it from the original and what is your role?
I think its too early to talk about the film. Also,if I tell you about my role,I will be giving away the story,which I dont want to,at this point. All Ill say is that we are taking the humour quotient forward in the sequel. The first schedule was fun as I got to act with a lot of actors like John Abraham,Rishi Kapoor,Mithunda,Asin and Shreyas Talpade with whom I have not worked before and of course,I was teaming up with Akshay Kumar and Jacqueline again.
Talking about humour quotient,what is your take on the spate of comedy films being churned out these days?
Well,sometimes we get it right,sometimes we dont. Its not easy though. We have to always think of new situations and stay away from the same old jokes. Even in the same film,we get the humour right in one scene,while in another it may fall flat. There is no recipe to good humour. For instance,certain scenes in Double Dhamaal have gone down well at single theatres but the audience at high-end multiplexes have rejected it. Fair enough.
Have you ever felt that the scene you are enacting is not at all funny?
Many times.
Can you give us an example?
There was this scene in Dhamaal where I am hanging on to a branch of a tree and having a fight with a monkey. Suddenly the branch gives away and I fall on a bus. I did not enjoy doing that scene but when I went to see the film in a theatre,I saw people guffawing while watching it. Again in Double Dhamaal,theres a scene where I am fighting a gorilla. Since I was in London when the film was released I couldnt watch peoples reaction to it.
Which are your favourite comedies?
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In recent times,I enjoyed Golmaal 3 the most. Its one of the best situational comedies. I love the cult comedy Angoor and Andaz Apna Apna which I am told didnt do well when it released.
What is your take on the trend of sequels?
Since I am doing three back-to-back sequels I cant complain grins. After Double Dhamaal,which did very well,
I am part of Housefull 2 and Kya Kool Hai Hum 2. Talks are on for Masti 2. The advantage of being in a sequel is that the brand is already established in peoples minds. You know all the actors as you have worked with them before and there is a good camaraderie. Also,your character is set,all you have to do is figure out the scenes.
So,its easy working in a sequel.
Its never easy doing any film. Apart from the fact that you are working with same actors,it could be a completely different film except for the title.
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Kya Kool Hai Hum was a sex comedy. Do you think audiences are more receptive to such films now?
Kya Kool.. released five years ago and it worked then. If the film is good,audiences will accept it irrespective of the timing. Youngsters are lapping up Delhi Belly,which has adult content.
Are you happy being labelled as a comedy hero?
I would rather carve a niche for myself in one genre than try to prove myself in others. Having said that,I have done different types of roles in Rann,Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai etc.
Does comedy come easily to you?
No,it doesnt happen effortlessly. Every film has a distinct nuance and the scenes are different. Sometimes it is subdued,sometimes it is loud and at times slapstick.
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You have come a long way since your debut film Tujhe Meri Kasam eight years ago. Are you happy with the way your career has shaped up?
Yes,its been good so far. I never thought I would last so long. I have done around 26 films and been part of many successful movies. Yet,there was a time when I did not have a single film. Two back-to-back hits Masti and Kya Kool Hai Hum proved to be the turning point and since then I have never looked back.
You have done well in multistarrers but your solo hero films like Aladin and Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai failed at the box-office. Comment.
Aladin was not a solo hero film. It had Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt in it but yes,I played the title role. The film,though,didnt do well. As for Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai,I think it was pitched wrongly. It released during Indian Premier League and with another big film.
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Yet,you are doing another solo hero film and this time with Genelia DSouza?
Right. It is a romantic comedy based in the North and I have started shooting for it.
Talking about Genelia,is there any truth to the reports that you are seeing her?
Says who? Genelia is my first co-star and will always be special for me. I am looking forward to acting with her again,I am sure it will be a great experience. For that matter,I have worked with Lara Dutta in two films and I really love her. She is the classiest woman I have ever met. She is strong and intelligent. We have done two films together Housefull and Do Knot Disturb. She was also there in Masti but in a small role. Theres Jacqueline with whom I have done two films Aladin and Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai. Now,Im working with her in Housefull 2 and she has grown as an actor.
What is happening with your production venture?
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My team is working on the script for a Marathi film,but things are yet to be finalised. I would also like to act in a Marathi movie but the script has to be powerful enough to attract me.
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