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Journalism of Courage
Delhi Bellys success has taken everyone by surprise,including Imran Khan,who is specially elated about the response to his part. Taking time out from his dubbing for Mere Brother Ki Dulhan,the actor relaxes in mamu Aamir Khans office to talk about the films success and his future projects.
Whats the one thing which has pleased you most about Delhi Bellys success?
What kind of reactions have you got from the industry?
Starting from the first weekend itself,the industry has really come out in support of the film. Several producers and directors have called to thank us for doing something different,and taking the industry forward! But I was taken aback when Sooraj R. Barjatya called to tell me that he enjoyed and loved the film Sooraj,of all people! If a filmmaker with his kind of sensibilities can enjoy the film,I dont really care about the guys who are protesting against the language and content.
Another successful film means that more girls will hanker after you. Whats your wife Avantikas reaction?
She feels that if girls are not in love with me theres no future for me,because that is the sign of success of a star. She says that a star has to be loved by all and shell be worried if girls didnt love me. Shes a very understanding wife.
So is a sequel to the film happening?
Not that I know of. I guess Aamir Khans Disco fighter song at the end of the film which mentions Christmas 2011,started the rumours. And anyway mamu would never make and release a film so quickly.
Whats your take on sequels?
Half of the films of which sequels are being made are not even franchises. Today,if a film is a hit,the producers say,chalo,let us make a sequel,not bothered about whether it warrants a sequel. Like I cannot think how a Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na or for that matter even a Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge can be taken forward. They had happy endings where the girl and the boy live happily ever after.
With the success of Delhi Belly,has your priority for selecting a film changed?
No,my priority will always be the same,doing films that interest me and not doing any specific type. I want to do films like Delhi Belly with its under-playing,and appeals to a certain part of me,and a Mere Brother Ki Dulhan which is a full-on masala entertainer with eight songs,with its over-acting and which appeals to a different part of me.
So how was it shooting for the typical song-and-dance sequences?
It took me a while to get into it. Before this,I had only done the track Baharaa in I Hate Luv Storys,but it was fun,especially the title number which was like a grand travelogue and was picturised in Dehradun Mussoorie,Delhi and Agra and was shot on every possible place,from train-tops to airports to the green fields.
What about Karan Johars flick,Short Term Shaadi,with Kareena Kapoor?
By the way,its still untitled and quite a contrast to Mere Brother.. Its almost half shot and its too soon to talk about it.
Were you at any time intimidated while working with two of the industrys most beautiful women Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif?
Initially,I was a bit intimidated to face Kareena,since I have always been a huge fan of hers and love her work. But the first day on the set dispelled my fears because she was so chilled-out. She came in her rubber chappals,sat on a chair and asked for a cup of chai. Shes a big star but doesnt realise it. Her cool attitude rubbed off on me and I quickly overcame my inhibitions. As for Katrina,shes the hardest-working actor I have ever seen. She gets up two hours before the shoot,rehearses her part,shoots all day and practices her dance after pack-up. Its very exhausting for her co-stars to watch the kind of work she puts in.
Its your first tryst with Yash Raj Films. What was the experience like?
I was very taken aback by Adis Aditya Chopra attitude to work. If an actor even casually mentions that he doesnt understand a certain scene in the film he has to know the reason in detail. He will call you to his office and spend two hours trying to understand what you didnt understand and ask for alternatives. Its surprising for a man of his stature to do that. But then his life revolves around cinema,and all he likes to do is watch movies and make movies. Every Friday,he goes to the theaters to watch the latest release,and its because of this pure love for films that he knows the pulse of the audience so well.
What about you? Are you also a film buff?
Very much. I make it a point to watch all the films.
Which is the last film you saw?
I saw Murder 2 and found it pretty good. I specially liked Prashant Narayanans work. Hes damn good. But I must mention that out of all Mohit Suris films I liked Awarapan the best. I always wonder why it didnt do well at the box-office because the music was so good and the storyline about Emraan Hashmi keeping a tab on a gangsters moll Mrinalini Sharma was very interesting.
Have you signed any other film?
Hmmmm,I let the production houses make the announcements.
What about television?
Oh,I cant stand television and dont know whats happening on that front,because I dont even own a TV set!
geety.sahgalexpressindia.com
