“In any scene of our film ‘Fire of Love Raid’, Krishna Abhishek did not look inferior to Salman Khan or Ajay Devgan….”

- Rajiv Chaudhary, producer of the film “Fire of Love Red”

There is no dearth of people moving from journalism to film production and direction. One such journalist is Rajiv Chaudhary, who started his career in journalism. Then he became a film publicist. He was the promoter of hundreds of films including Salman Khan and Bhagyashree's film 'Maine Pyar Kiya', Sanjay Dutt's film 'Jaan Ki Baazi'. Then made TV programs. Directed some serials. Then he produced and directed the film “Beiimaan Love” with Sunny Leone. Now he is associated with the production of the film "Fire of Love Raid" directed by Ashok Tyagi. Soon he is going to direct the film "Shak: The Doubt".

Here are the excerpts from the conversation with Rajeev Chaudhary for 'Mayapuri'...

Will you throw light on your journey from film journalism to filmmaking?

-I have been fond of writing and films since a very young age. When I was in college, I was looking for a part-time job. The basic reason for this was that I was seeing all my friends and people around me doing this. Perhaps the generation of that time was obsessed with earning money along with studies. Then I came to know that Ramraj Nahta's trade magazine "Film Information" needed a reporter. At that time his office was Naz Building Compound in South Mumbai. So, I went to meet him. Ramraj Nahata asked me to write something and show him. There were no computers at that time. There was no time for typing. I wrote a paragraph and showed it to him. So, he liked my writing/handwriting and ideas. He told me that I would have to gain knowledge about the film trade, film business, film territory, etc. It helps a lot to know and learn how the film business works in Delhi, Mumbai, or Punjab. I was ready to learn and work hard. That's why he became a reporter for 'Film Information' magazine. I started visiting the offices of every studio and film producer and director. After completing my graduation, I became a full-time journalist in Ramraj Nahta's magazine 'Film Information'.

Gradually he became well-known to many celebrities including Dev Anand, Tarachand Barjatya, and Raj Kumar Barjatya. When actor, producer, and director Dev Anand Sahab was making his film 'Nav Jawan', he gave me the responsibility of promoting this film. Earlier, Bunny Reuben ji was doing the promotion work of this film, but there was a disagreement between Dev Saheb and Bunny Reuben on some issues, so Dev Saheb gave me this offer. I was a big admirer of Dev Saheb and also wanted to do business. That's why I accepted Dev Saheb's offer and became a PR also. In those days, the office of his company ‘Nav Ketan Films’ was in Khira Nagar, Santa Cruz. For the first time, I went to Pune with journalists as PR for the outdoor shooting of the film 'Nav Jawan'. I got success. My self-confidence increased. After that, I made all the film offices of the famous studios that I used to visit as my clients and I became a big film publicist. Then he was given the work of promotion of Bhappi Soni, KC Bokadia, OP Ralhan's film 'Pyaas' and Sanjay Khan's film 'Kala Dhanda Gore Log'. Pappu Khanna became my good friend. When Sanjay Dutt returned after treatment to get rid of his drug addiction, he did PR for his first film 'Jaan Ki Baazi'. Then Raj Kumar Barjatya of Rajshree Production asked me to do PR for the film 'Babul'. In this film, the National School of Drama trained artist Late Gyan Shivpuri (husband of actress Himani Shivpuri) as the hero. Along with him was Akash Deep as the romantic hero. Upasana Khosla and new actress Rashmi Mishra.

The film's director was Govind Munis ji of ‘Nadiya Ke Paar’ fame. While working on this film, I developed a homely relationship with 'Rajshree'. After this, Rajshri Films gave me my next film “Maine Pyaar Kiya”. We also played a big role in the selection of Salman Khan for this film. Deepak Tijori had passed the audition to select the cast of the film. He is a good artist. At the same time, Salman Khan was very shy at that time. But they were quite good-looking. He had a chocolate face and looked wonderful on screen. Therefore, the final decision was taken in favour of Salman Khan instead of Deepak Tijori. Bhagyashree had already been selected. This is how ‘Maine Pyaar Kiya’ was made, which we promoted and the film created a history of success. In those days Seth ji i.e., Tarachand Barjatya was alive. After watching 'Maine Pyaar Kiya', I wrote a letter to Seth ji saying that this film will be super-duper. I even wanted to buy this film for a home video. But at that time many people did not understand the matter. But after that, I went to America for a few years for some personal reasons. My daughter was undergoing treatment there.

But I was not sitting quietly. I was doing event business from America. Because my wife is a classical singer. He himself. Ustad Ali is the daughter of Akbar Khan Saheb. My wife used to do classical shows with Pandit Ravi Shankar Ji. Also did shows with Ustad Akbar Ali Khan and Zakir Hussain. Then I did the first concert in the memory of Baba Alauddin Khan with Zakir Hussain. Which was a tremendous success. While doing events, I also started film production. Because of writing in film information, I made film-based programs for TV like a magazine, in which news, shooting, etc. were added. Then I got an offer from the TV Asia channel in London, England to make a show, so I made the first show based on film news for them. Till then, even 'Lehre' or Sunil Agnihotri's show had not started in India. I first started making a show called 'Bollywood News' for TV Asia London. Then Master Mayur, who played Amitabh Bachchan's childhood character in the film 'Muqaddar Ka Sikandar', was also making something for TV Asia. But his concept was different. In my show, I used to talk about the film trade and the top three, so my program became a super duper hit. Then I made many TV serials including ‘Intekaam’, ‘And Ek Naya Raasta’. Directed the serial 'Aaj Ki Taaz Khabar' for Doordarshan and Amit Khanna's Plus channel. After that, I produced and directed the feature film “Beimaan Love” with Sunny Leone.

How did you suddenly turn towards films while making serials?

-Every creative person wants to produce and direct a big film one day. I also wanted to make a film. So I contacted GTV. I used to make a program called ‘Filmi Baatein’ for Zee TV. Got a good response from Ji. Anurag Bedi promised to take the music of our film. I wanted to have a star like Sunny Leone in the film, so I met Sunny Leone and narrated the story to her at her house and she agreed. Got a lot of help from Anurag Bedi. This help came from Sunny Leone who without taking a single penny, she wrote a letter to us saying that she was doing our film. Apart from this, some of my friends helped us. A friend of mine from Rajkot helped me. We made the film easily. The film did well in North India. Ji also earned. Got good prices for digital rights.

When you directed 'Beimaan Love', Sunny Leone was a star at that time. So he had no hesitation in working with a new director like you?

-Sunny Leone was so impressed by the story and script of the film that she did not ask any questions. The way I tell stories must have convinced him that I can make a good film. It was on Sunny Leone's advice that I took Rajneesh Duggal as my hero.

Have you heard that Sunny Leone caused a lot of trouble during the shooting of the film 'Beimaan Love'?

-In the beginning, he cooperated well. But later there were some problems regarding the shooting dates. Because of this, there was a delay in the making of the film. But I want to forget all that. However, he later refused to do some scenes. We were forced to make changes in the scenes and the script. There were some bold scenes in the film, which Sunny Leone knew from day one. She had agreed to do those scenes. The character had its own strengths. Apart from this, Sunny Leone is also known as an actress who gives bold scenes. But her husband Daniel Weber said that they wanted to change the image. We have to make Sunny win the National Award. At that time Sunny's film 'Mastizaade' had also been released and Daniel Weber was thinking that Sunny should not be asked to do such scenes. So, we had to cut some glamorous and bold scenes. I reminded him that Sunny had agreed to do this scene. But she did not agree. Ultimately, we had to compromise. I had to cut the scenes which I felt were the USP of the film. Well, at that time his mood was not to do glamorous roles but to do award-winning roles, we could not do anything. It was not wise to shelve the film midway after quarreling with the artist.

When the director has to compromise on the request of the artist, does it not harm the film?

-It causes a lot of damage. The enthusiasm within the director cools down. The way the director has envisioned the film in his mind, compromises start happening there too. Because of Sunny Leone, I had to make a lot of changes in the script of 'Beimaan Love'. Many scenes had to be changed.

So, is this the reason why you did not direct the film "Fire of Love Raid" to be released on 24th November and handed over the responsibility of direction to Ashok Tyagi? Are you just a producer?

-No...No...the case of the film "Fire of Love Raid" is very different. After the release of 'Beimaan Love', I went to America in connection with a Hollywood film 'The Winner Strong', and started spending most of my time in America. Which is going to be built soon. But during Covid, we remained in Mumbai. At the same time, my friends Surendra Jagtap, Patil Saheb, and Waghmare ji, all of them are big names in the Marathi film industry. These people keep making Marathi films. These people offered me a Marathi film. Because I was born in Mumbai, I know Marathi. Earlier the director of this film was someone else. The film's hero Krishna Abhishek was not happy with the director's way of working. The producers were also worried. That director had filmed a song and some scenes. I did not see any point in the story. I introduced Surendra Jagtap to Ashok Tyagi Ji. I have known Ashok Tyagi as a journalist since the time he directed his first film 'Surkhiyaan'. After watching this film, I wrote in 'Film Information' magazine that the film was well made.

It will be a success. In those days, I had told Ashok ji that if I ever became a film producer, I would make my first film under his direction. But with time I couldn't remember and when I started 'Beimaan Love', I became the director myself. Then Ashok Ji called me and reminded me what I had promised him. After that, he told me a story, which I liked. That story was – “Fire of Love Raid”. The hero of the film is an angry young man. Then when I talked to Surendra Jagtap, I remembered this story of Ashok ji, and this thought came to my mind what would it be like if Krishna Abhishek i.e., a comedian became an angry young man? The story was strong but a strong artist like Ajay Devgan was needed. Surendra Jagtap was happy with Krishna's work. Ashok Tyagi ji had no objection to this name. I saw some expressions on his face and decided that we would make 'Fire of Love Raid', in which Krishna Abhishek will be the hero. Ashok Tyagi ji put a condition that he would share his story only if he himself would direct the film based on it. In this way, I and my friends are the producers of this film. While the story and direction are of Ashok Tyagi. You will be surprised when you watch the film, you will not see even the slightest smile on Krishna Abhishek's face in the entire film. He doesn't laugh in even a single scene. He is the psycho-killer in this one. Who always roams around in tension. The climax of the film is tremendous.

When you heard the story “Fire of Love Raid” written by Ashok Tyagi, what inspired you to make a film about it?

-I had confidence in his conviction. He was telling the story in such a manner and with so much confidence that we could see all the scenes in front of us. Ashok Tyagi ji is an expert in writing dialogues along with the director. The dialogue is the biggest highlight of this film.

How were the other actors in the film selected?

-Our friend and partner already had Krishna Abhishek. He respects Ashok Tyagi a lot. So, it is a coincidence that Krishna Abhishek became the confluence among us. The selection of Payal Ghosh as the heroine was done very thoughtfully. Ashok Ji did not want a model-type girl for the heroine's role. He wanted artists like Mala Sinha, Meena Kumari or Madhubala. Then we met Payal Ghosh on the advice of a friend. As soon as Ashok Tyagi ji saw Payal, he said that this was final. Despite being a Bengali beauty, she has an Indian face. Ashok Ji wanted to cast Jackie Shroff for the role of police inspector. But our opinion was that the script of the film is natural and realistic, so why should we dress it up as a commercial with Jackie Shroff in it? The film is completely artistic. After much discussion, we chose Kamlesh Sawant. Bharat Dabholkar is in the role of doctor.

What is the movie “Fire of Love Raid”?

-This is a suspense thriller film. The story of film is about a young man who has become a psycho killer due to circumstances in his personal life. There are many twists in the film, the audience does not realize what the next twist will be. Krishna Abhishek will look very serious. I do not find Krishna Abhishek inferior to Salman Khan or Ajay Devgan in any scene. Krishna Abhishek has the potential to become a superstar if he takes it seriously. Krishna Abhishek is a very good artist.

How many songs are there in the film?

-There are three songs in the film. The composer is Riju Roy, a famous composer of Bengali films. Took music education from London. He has created amazing songs, which have been sung by singer Shaan.

What are your plans after this?

-The film “Fire and Love Raid” will be released on 24th November. After this, we have a script ready, whose name is – “Shaka: The Doubt”. I have written it, I will also direct it. We are planning to film it in London. Apart from this, another story has also been prepared, which should probably be named “Bal: The Strength”. This story is from Pakistan, which we will film in Punjab.

- Shantiswarup Tripathi