SPECIAL INTERVIEW: “My intention is not be a crusader as far as Indian Cinema is concerned or set out to make a statement but to just celebrate Cinema as such”

KARAN MALHOTRA tells JYOTHI VENKATESH in this exclusive interview for bollyy.com as well as Mayapuri that what is important is that recovery is very important when you make a film or else a director just cannot make his next film because no producer will approach him with an offer to direct a film for him.

How would you say your experience working with Ranbir Kapoor was in Shamshera?

Ranbir Kapoor is really gifted. We all know his excellence as an actor, he already has shown the power of his craft but what makes me admire him is his dedication.

He is one of those actors on set who does not make his presence felt when he is off-camera. There are no tantrums and baggage of stardom he carries or even shows his method of acting.

He does not show his effort. But at the end of the day after the shot, when I would check the footage, I see the magic he has done quite silently. He is gifted really.

What do you have to say about Sanjay Dutt as an actor?

It helped that I had earlier directed Sanjay Sur in Agneepath. Sanjay sir on the other hand is very warm- hearted and flamboyant. He is a director's actor and has discussions on how to make the scene better. But off-camera there is a party going on all the time.

What distinguishes Sanjay from others of his ilka, according to you?

Sir would know the name of every crew member; junior artists and they have their one-on-one equation with their Sanju baba. He would entertain us all the time even though we had a difficult shooting because of the scale and multiple action sequences in the film.

How tough was it for you to direct your third film Shamshera after Agnipath and Brothers?

Every story has its own destiny. My earlier film Brothers was a different genre and it was more intimate whereas in Shamshera, I want people to see a spectacle. We never had an idea about making a small film.

You directed Rishi Kapoor in Agneepath but your father Ravi Malhotra had made Khel Khel Mein way back in the 70’s.

Yes. My father had made three films with Chintu Uncle together. In one film, we had lost our house but our parents were very close to each other. I think I have been fortunate enough to direct Chintu Uncle in Agneepath.

Both the father as well as the son has the same method of working, I could not have asked for better actors as I feel both have the same work ethics

Tell me frankly. Were you slightly scared when you directed Chintu Kapoor in Agneepath or Ranbir Kapoor in Shamshera?

Frankly, to tell you the truth, I was not slightly scared of Chintu uncle but very scared of him.

Why?

When you approached him with the role, did he agree to do the negative role immediately?

When I met him and narrated the role and told him that he had to play the role of a guy who had to sell drugs as well as young girls, he reprimanded me but I convinced him to say yes.

However, after the day was over, he used to message that he was not willing to play the role, because it was out and out negative and he has always played the role of the chocolate hero in all his films till date.

He was the toughest nut to crack among the actors until the last day of the shooting. He would always doubt me and question me every day but I remember I used to talk to him in a loud tone as otherwise I know he would not agree with me.

Did you take your sweet revenge with Ranbir Kapoor when you directed him in Shamshera?

You bet I did that. I did take my own sweet revenge with Ranbir Kapoor who used to play his wordplay on his phone after the shot when I directed him in Shamshera whereas whereas Chintu Uncle was the live wire on the sets, when I directed him on the sets of Shamshera

How would you describe Ranbir Kapoor as an actor?

You will be able to see Ranbir Kapoor at ease whether he is playing the role of Balli or for that matter Shamshera as the character and not at all Ranbir Kapoor.

How important is it to ensure recovery when you make a film?

It does not matter whether your film is a small film or a big film. What is important is that recovery is very important when you make a film or else I just cannot make my next film as a director because no producer will approach me with an offer to give me a film for him.

Can you elucidate?

We cannot be creating just in isolation even if we have great ideas as no one will come forward to put in money on a film and I feel it is nothing but a Catch 22 situation.

As a filmmaker what kind of a film are you interested in making in future after Shamshera?

Till date I have made only three films. They are Agneepath, Brothers and last but not the least Shamshera. You should know which film you should set out to make and which genre and also what budget you should have and for which platform you should make your film.

I should make films only for the masses as I do not think that I have made films till date for the masses. I am honest.

I know that 90 per cent of the collections of my films have till date come only from the multiplexes and not single theatres and they have not percolated from the small centres.

How open are you as a director to make films or web series for OTT Platforms?

I know for sure that filmmaking is a very expensive medium. I am ready to do a film or a web series for an OTT platform because I do not want to put the pressure on my producers as far as recovery on their investment is concerned from the box office.

What is your mission as a filmmaker?

My intention is not to be a crusader as far as Indian Cinema is concerned or set out to make a statement but to just celebrate Cinema as such.