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Deols knew that 'Yamla..2' had not shaped well: Anil Sharma
Vickey Lalwani, Mumbai Mirror | Nov 19, 2013, 12.00 AM ISTREAD MORE Sunny Deol|Singh Saab The Great|Karan Deol|Gadar|Dharmendra
Anil Sharma and Suuny Deol on the sets of Singh Saab The GreatMore Pics
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Anil Sharma's 'Singh Saab The Great' is scheduled for theatres exactly seven days after 'Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela'. But Sharma is confident that his film will stand up to the competition. Without batting an eyelid, he replies to our volley of questions:
After Gadar, you lost your way...
No. Kindly understand that if a film like 'Gadar', which grossed Rs 200 crore more than a decade ago, had released today, it would have amassed five times that amount.
But your last film, Veer, definitely did not do well at the box-office...
I agree. It fared below expectations. But if it had hit theatres today, when Salman is on a high, it would have raked in Rs 300 crore for sure. Those were the days when Salman's films weren't doing well and I too may have erred while making Veer. The other day I suggested to Salman that he should re-release Veer in 3D and he liked the idea.
Have you received your fees for Veer? Salman still hasn't got his...
(Nods) That's his personal matter. I have got my payment.
Yamla Pagla Deewana was a huge hit. But Dharmendra rates Apne as one of his best films...
I am honoured as the compliment comes from a man who has Sholay, Satyakam and Chupke Chupke in his portfolio.
You are so close to the Deols that you've been asked to direct Sunny's son Karan's debut film...
Let me put it this way, acting and good looks run in their genes, so the Deol kids are going to become stars. And yes, I would love to direct Karan.
You must have been aware of the mood in the Deol household when YPD 2 didn't do well...
They knew that the film hadn't shaped up well. In a telephonic conversation with Dharamji on the day the film released, I was told, 'So what if it has released?' Every actor knows how his film will fare, even though he/she 'acts' their way through the publicity campaigns (Smiles).
Was Sunny okay with you casting new girl in Singh Saab The Great (Urvashi Rautela) opposite him?
Sunny never interferes with the casting. He knew that since I wanted to make a contemporary film which deals with fight against corruption, I would look at newcomers. I saw about 800 photographs and held 40 auditions before I narrowed down on her. Rikku (Madhuri's ex-secretary) had sent me her picture. Later I did a photo shoot with Sunny and her to check if they look good together. After 'Veer', I didn't want to make a period film. I have made Singh Saab in Rs 30 crore only.
Do you think that the Deols have got their due from Bollywood?
In this industry, people invest in you only if you guarantee returns. Wasn't Mohd Rafi out of work for three years? Wasn't Bachchan saab sitting at home for four years? Didn't Salman and Shah Rukh undergo a rough patch? Didn't people say that if 'Chennai Express' doesn't click, it's pack-up for Shah Rukh? As for Sunny, I think only few actors have had such a long inning. And how many veterans command the respect that Dharmji does?
After Gadar, you lost your way...
No. Kindly understand that if a film like 'Gadar', which grossed Rs 200 crore more than a decade ago, had released today, it would have amassed five times that amount.
But your last film, Veer, definitely did not do well at the box-office...
I agree. It fared below expectations. But if it had hit theatres today, when Salman is on a high, it would have raked in Rs 300 crore for sure. Those were the days when Salman's films weren't doing well and I too may have erred while making Veer. The other day I suggested to Salman that he should re-release Veer in 3D and he liked the idea.
Have you received your fees for Veer? Salman still hasn't got his...
(Nods) That's his personal matter. I have got my payment.
Yamla Pagla Deewana was a huge hit. But Dharmendra rates Apne as one of his best films...
I am honoured as the compliment comes from a man who has Sholay, Satyakam and Chupke Chupke in his portfolio.
You are so close to the Deols that you've been asked to direct Sunny's son Karan's debut film...
Let me put it this way, acting and good looks run in their genes, so the Deol kids are going to become stars. And yes, I would love to direct Karan.
You must have been aware of the mood in the Deol household when YPD 2 didn't do well...
They knew that the film hadn't shaped up well. In a telephonic conversation with Dharamji on the day the film released, I was told, 'So what if it has released?' Every actor knows how his film will fare, even though he/she 'acts' their way through the publicity campaigns (Smiles).
Was Sunny okay with you casting new girl in Singh Saab The Great (Urvashi Rautela) opposite him?
Sunny never interferes with the casting. He knew that since I wanted to make a contemporary film which deals with fight against corruption, I would look at newcomers. I saw about 800 photographs and held 40 auditions before I narrowed down on her. Rikku (Madhuri's ex-secretary) had sent me her picture. Later I did a photo shoot with Sunny and her to check if they look good together. After 'Veer', I didn't want to make a period film. I have made Singh Saab in Rs 30 crore only.
Do you think that the Deols have got their due from Bollywood?
In this industry, people invest in you only if you guarantee returns. Wasn't Mohd Rafi out of work for three years? Wasn't Bachchan saab sitting at home for four years? Didn't Salman and Shah Rukh undergo a rough patch? Didn't people say that if 'Chennai Express' doesn't click, it's pack-up for Shah Rukh? As for Sunny, I think only few actors have had such a long inning. And how many veterans command the respect that Dharmji does?
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