The film Raju Rathod has been the biggest challenge for me - Arvind Kumar Vaghela

You have seen the popular Rajasthani actor Arvind Kumar Vaghela gaining appreciation on the stage of Nach Baliye 5 with his better half Neelu Vaghela who is currently seen as Bhabo in Star Plus' popular show Diya Aur Baati Hum.

Now, Arvind Vaghela is all set to come up with his new Rajasthani movie Raju Rathod in which he has played the lead and he is the backbone of the movie as he has written the film as well. We quizzed the maker cum actor Arvind Vaghela to know more about his movie Raju Rathod.

Tell us something about the movie.

It's going to be the first Rajasthani movie which is based on the police. We always see that a real police does real work but Raju Rathore is a movie in which a common man goes to a village and the residents think that he is a real police where the people are waiting for a police named Raju Rathod. The name of this person is also Raju Rathod so whenever he does some action so the people think that he the real Raju Rathod. Even he thinks to let things continue like this and slowly slowly he forms a force with him. Though he is a fake police but he does real deeds. The thought behind this is that a person has a desire to do good deeds in his mind. Dignity or designation is not required for that.

How did the idea originate?

We are Indians and associated with this industry. The formula of this industry is that if you are making a movie then it should have social drama and action. Earlier also our movies used to have action even if its among the members of a family but now this trend has experienced a slight change where an action happens between a hero and a villain. In this movie, the hero and the villain both are fake but the difference is that the hero of this movie does a real work.

The movie is being compared to Akshay Kumar's Rowdy Rathore...

People have been telling me from a long time that I am copying Rowdy Rathore. I would like to say that we are regional artists. I have been getting lots of offers for daily soaps after Nach Baliye but my focus was towards regional movie. A big star copies so many things from a regional movie then nobody say anything to them but if a regional star copies even a title then people questions them.

Why you have chosen this title?

Earlier my film was released titled Raju Ban Gayo MLA which was released before the movie Rowdy Rathore. Then our movie released Raju Ban Gaya Thanedar. Then the movie Rowdy Rathod was released. Rowdy is considered to be a great power in Rajasthan. So, we had the title of Raju with us so we thought of adding the title of Rathod after it. We get inspired with so many things around us. Many people still don't know the meaning of Rowdy' which means mastikhor.

What kind of challenges you have come across while making this movie?

I have been facing challenges since the time I have been struggling and we have to face challenges everyday while we are surviving in the industry to grow even better. The film Raju Rathod has been the biggest challenge for me. The entire unit of this movie has been working day and night. We always have a fear about the fate of this movie because if a movie is made well and if it will be a flop then it's a big disappointment. So, it's a fear and a challenge for us.

Tell us about the shooting locations for the movie?

There is a place named 'Nau Chowki' in Udaipur and the location is 600-800 years old. The pillars and staircases are so old that you will think after looking at the arch that it's not possible to be made in today's time. This location hasn't been used by the industry and we got a chance to shoot a song on that location and the output is beautiful.

After Nach Baliye you must be getting so many offers but you are still focused towards regional movies?

I have been approached by Deeya and Toni ji thrice for their show Hum Hain Na. I told them that I won't be able to do the show because of my film. I had lots of responsibilities to handle. I was also offered Meri Bhabhi by them which I couldn't do. I have been offered many shows after that. As regional actors, we have a quality that we want loyalty in whatever we do.

We have also heard that the movie has some social message...

Every Indian films' families are same. Even if we have differences in our cultures but we all think alike. The biggest social message we have given in the movie is female infanticide. We have tried to convey a message to the society that daughters are pillars of our society. Everyone ask for a Mother, a wife and a sister but why no one asks for a daughter. Daughters only can form relations or a sister, a mother and a wife.

How has the regional film industry evolved so far?

Every regional movie has to suffer but the Rajasthani film industry has to suffer more. Rajasthani industry was on top at one time. Big film stars have worked in the Rajasthani movie industry. Many producers have earned a lot after making Rajasthani movie and later they shifted to Mumbai and started making Hindi movies which didn't work well. So, when they were asked about Rajasthani film industry, they started saying that Rajasthani film industry spoiled their career. Later, people realized that such producers couldn't make their name in the field of Hindi film industry but they worked well in the Rajasthani film industry. They blamed for their downfall from where they earned. So, I cleared out these things to people and now the industry is back on track. Now, we have formed an association in which the government has passed a subsidy of 5-10 Lacs. Neelu ji is the president of the association and I am the secretary.

Neelu ji has also played an important role. Please tell us something about her role.

Neelu ji is a Rajasthani actress who makes an entry while slapping someone or some similar scenes like this. She has less time for this movie because of her shoot of Diya Aur Baati Hum. So, she has played the role of a social worker named Bhavani in the movie. I think that Bhavani will get the clapping of the audiences for her scenes. She will be seen saying her catchy line if the villain will say that - 'Bhavani dekh lunga tujhe' and she replies - Bhavani dekhne ki nahi, darshan karne ki cheez hoti hai.' She has completely justified her character which no one else could have done.

How much research work have you done?

We have just paid attention on the subject of the movie. This time we watched a lot of movies for months. We took some inspiration from each movie we watched. After the preview of our movie, the censor people told me that after a long time they have seen a good movie. Nothing has been cut in the movie. There is continuity and reason behind every scene in the movie.

Are you looking forward to do more of regional?

We will come up with another movie titled as - Return of Raju Rathod in which the cop would be original one.

How has the response been so far?

I am very happy with the response. When the promo of this movie was launched for the first time in Jaipur and I got a good response from the audiences and they were ready to support us. It was a big achievement for us. Even the views of the YouTube went really went well.

How has the response from your industry friends been like?

They all said that Arvind you have done something different. I think that this movie will become a milestone in the Rajasthani film industry.

How is the overall feeling?

I am out for the promotions in Rajasthan. People are competing as how they will watch this movie and take many people along with them. They are waiting for the release of the movie which is like a miracle to me.

Anwesha Kamal