Aanand L Rai is so tender spoken and delicate natured that it’s troublesome to check him as a tough taskmaster waving his whip round on the units, getting issues accomplished by dint of drive. Inform him that and he grins and says that typically mild phrases are sufficient to maneuver giants. He’s a certainly one of a form filmmaker, not limiting himself to only one style however believes in throwing his web large. And he doesn’t simply run after superstars however casts in accordance with the calls for of his script. He has ventured into producing Marathi movies as effectively and plans to segue into different regional cinemas quickly. He at all times speaks from the guts and doesn’t maintain again as I ask:
What prompted you to make a sequel to Haseen Dillruba?
A sequel is usually warranted when the characters have advanced past the scope of the unique story. After Haseen Dillruba, I felt that whereas the story had reached a pure conclusion, the characters had grown in ways in which warranted additional exploration. The viewers responded with immense love for the sequel, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba reinforcing this determination. In Haseen Dillruba, I used to be notably fascinated by how an organized marriage might remodel right into a love story. Each Rani and Rishu had been so dedicated to their relationship that they had been keen to go to any lengths to be collectively. This complexity and depth of their characters made me consider that there was extra to discover.
Why did you select Taapsee Pannu to play the title position?
Each Manmarziyaan and Haseen Dillruba function very demanding characters that push the boundaries of conventional roles. Taapsee Pannu was a great selection for these roles as a result of she totally immerses herself in her characters with out judgement. Her willingness to embrace advanced roles opens up a variety of alternatives for her. It’s essential for actors to permit the character to return to life by them, reasonably than imposing their very own judgments. Taapsee’s method, the place she utterly owns her characters, exemplifies this philosophy and contributes to her success in such difficult roles.
What units Vikrant Massey other than different actors?
Vikrant is an clever and inventive particular person. Each inventive actor or director has a sure self-interest in the case of their work, however it’s important that additionally they aspire to extra than simply changing into a star; they should deal with telling compelling tales. Whereas many actors are proficient, just a few possess the conviction, religion and selflessness required to excel of their craft. After the passing of Irrfan Khan, many tales and roles appear to have remained untold, as filmmakers puzzled who might match his depth and depth. Vikrant has the calibre to fill that void. His dedication and authenticity are evident in his work. Actors like Irrfan Khan and Vikrant interact in such numerous and impactful roles that they forestall the viewers from forming a single, limiting picture of them. By frequently taking up different characters, they continuously redefine their very own stardom.
You don’t stick to 1 style in the case of manufacturing. Why so?
The movies I direct are written by Himanshu Sharma and we sometimes take two to 2 and a half years to finish a movie. I’ve come to grasp that I’m a workaholic. Whereas I’m immersed in a single story, I discover it helpful to work on two or three different tales with totally different administrators.
I’ve a deep appreciation for the work of Anurag Kashyap, Ashwini Iyer Tiwari and Kanika Dhillon. I select tales primarily based on my curiosity in them reasonably than their style. As an example, though horror or thrillers aren’t normally my desire, I liked Tumbaad. It’s a movie with outstanding qualities. By way of themes, I’m drawn to tales that align with significant messages. For instance, Newton emphasised the significance of voting.
I become involved with a narrative as a result of I genuinely prefer it; I’m not targeted on making it however on being part of it. I take pleasure in exploring totally different genres, it retains me engaged and prevents me from losing interest.
Tanu Weds Manu stays near the viewers’s hearts even now. What do you suppose is the explanation for that?
Maybe it was the honesty of the then-newbie director Aanand L Rai. At the moment, I had nothing to lose, so I didn’t concern dropping something. I used to be fearless and deeply in love with the story. I at all times fall in love with my characters and my actors as a result of they create these characters to life. I really feel a profound sense of gratitude after they embrace and embody the characters I’ve created.
In all probability that’s why your actors keep related with you…
From the second I entered this career, I used to be instructed that after a movie ends, the connection with the actors additionally ends. This used to scare me as a result of I fearful that if the actors who performed my characters distanced themselves from me, every little thing would really feel synthetic and I wouldn’t take pleasure in telling the story anymore. I’ve been lucky to obtain love from varied sources, whether or not by movies, the viewers, household or buddies. That’s why my tales typically deal with love.
You’ve made movies which mirror the lives of frequent folks and girls and also you’ve additionally been concerned in famous person automobiles like Zero and Raksha Bandhan, which didn’t do effectively regardless of the hype…
Maybe the tales I select and the worlds I create have a pure requirement for ordinariness, through which these actors match completely. Madhavan, Dhanush or Kangana possess the standard of presenting themselves as abnormal folks. After I labored with a giant star, I didn’t totally grasp that they’re seen otherwise by the viewers as a consequence of their famous person standing. Maybe portraying a star in a narrative requires a special method. This is why it’s typically mentioned that one is at all times a scholar of cinema.
Or is it that the superstars interfered within the movie a lot that the movie didn’t end up the manner you envisioned it?
That wasn’t the case in any respect. None of those stars ever threw their weight round or interfered with the script. If there have been points, I settle for accountability for them. You possibly can’t place the success or failure of a movie solely on one actor. As a director, it’s my job to handle these elements. I consider true success comes from accepting failure with a smile and acknowledging your personal errors.
After the failure of a movie, how do you pacify your self and make a brand new begin?
I don’t get depressed when a movie doesn’t succeed as a result of I by no means let myself get carried away in the course of the filmmaking course of. If I didn’t get swept up then, I received’t be introduced down. In case you let your work have an effect on you an excessive amount of,
it means you’re putting undue significance on your self. My success lies within the reality that I proceed to inform the tales I need to inform, no matter whether or not I earn roughly cash.
What’s the distinction between the viewers of Tanu Weds Manu then and right this moment’s viewers?
There’s undoubtedly a shift. For instance, Tanu Weds Manu Half 2 got here after a four-year hole and Himanshu needed to adapt his writing type for it. Success with the primary half doesn’t assure that the second half will do equally effectively. Staying related to the viewers is essential. In case you don’t evolve between profitable movies, you danger not succeeding together with your subsequent one. Every new story reaches a brand new viewers. As an example, Raanjhanaa was launched in 2013, and the best way the audiences perceived love then will differ from how they view it in 2025. A complete technology adjustments in a decade, making it difficult to remain in sync with these shifts whereas telling your story.
Your subsequent movie with Dhanush is Tere Ishk Mein. How a lot has your equation modified with him over
the years?
Nothing has modified between us. He first got here to me as an actor, then grew to become a brother and now he seems like a son. From day one, he has been a unbelievable actor. It will have been troublesome to make Raanjhanaa with out him. I introduced him again for Atrangi Re. He has grown each as an actor and as an individual. I’m assured we’ll have loads of enjoyable working collectively on Tere Iskh Mein.
What would you wish to say concerning the Gen-Z actors Sara Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor?
Each are very assured. Sara did a superb job in Atrangi Re with a layered character. What I hope for them is the power to decide on the proper tales. Other than that, each of them are unbelievable. My solely recommendation is to not focus solely on the characters they need to play however to decide on the proper tales they need to be part of.
What could be your recommendation to right this moment’s actors?
Earlier than making a movie, it’s necessary to debate it completely. You need to sit with the director and author. However the true magic occurs once you begin residing and respiration the challenge on the set. Our job is to assist an actor attain their full potential and extract one of the best efficiency from them. If the director falls brief in any manner, it’s the actor’s obligation to fill that hole. Generally, an actor may even train a director a factor or two. This technology wants that type of collaboration. For instance, once I labored with Deepak Dobriyal in Tanu Weds Manu (2010), I learnt 4 precious classes from him by the humour he delivered to the character of Pet. Deepak’s sense of comedy considerably influenced the movie’s uplifted tone. There are occasions when a director can’t obtain every little thing on their very own, and that’s the place the actor’s contribution turns into essential.
You could have been related to Himanshu and Kanika Dhillon for a very long time. How troublesome is it to keep up a relationship?
It’s necessary to respect and perceive one another’s roles. I deeply admire Himanshu’s writing and have nice respect for him as a author. I consider that collaborating with like-minded people helps in telling a compelling story. I even have a long-standing affiliation with my employees and associates. I make an effort to construct sturdy bonds with everybody I work with.
Inform us about Ansh Duggal and Pragati Srivastava who might be seen in your subsequent rom-com Nakhrewaalii?
Each are unbelievable actors. We now want new faces to deliver contemporary vitality to the business. This technology is daring and unafraid to talk their minds. I loved listening to their views and opinions. They carry a brand new, refreshing high quality to our work.
