Back in January 2004, a movie from Ram Gopal Varma's factory, EK HASINA THI, released without much fanfare. The impact however was stunning and the feedback extremely positive. Not only did it highlight Saif Ali Khan the actor, it also introduced a new and a highly talented director, Sriram Raghavan. The treatment, the shot taking and most importantly, the transformation of the script into an engrossing film impressed one and all. But Raghavan did not go on a signing spree and came back with another 'hatke' and visually engrossing fare, the dark thriller, JOHNNY GADDAAR. Unfortunately many external factors worked against the critically acclaimed film and stopped it from what is commercially known as a 'Hit'. But Raghavan accepts the failure sportingly as he is a believer in 'The Show Must Go On'. So here we bring you gist of our conversation with the man himself.
Hello Mr. Raghavan, well I was going through your article in a Film Journal, where you analyzed the reason behind the commercial failure of JOHNNY GADDAAR. I must say that you are a rare breed who accepts failure, rather than blaming the media or critics.
Thank you. One must be self critical and should analyze things rationally. It augurs well for future projects.
EK HASINA THI was ultimately profitable for the makers. Why do you call your own movie a failure?
See, at that point of time, EK HASINA THI did not become a commercial success. But I was happy that it was appreciated and as you say it did generate some revenue for the makers, it makes me happier.
Coming back to JOHNNY GADDAR, don't you think that you should be given credit for giving the industry, a bright new talent in the form of Neil Nitin Mukesh?
I am happy for Neil. Actually he is unconventionally good looking. I hope he takes his talent forward and chooses the right kind of projects.
Since both EK HASINA THI and JOHNNY GADDAAR had strong feel of James Hadley Chase novels, are you fan of the author?
Yes I am. Though JOHNNY GADDAAR was not based on any of Chase's novels, it had a feel of it. That is why we had paid a tribute to him.
Your next project has now been finalized and I presume that it stars John Abraham and Aishwarya Rai. Have you got confirmation from Aishwarya?
Yes, you have heard it right. It does have John and Aishwarya and I have got the confirmation from her.
Right now John has been going through a bad phase, as most of his projects (barring GOAL) have failed, what made you choose him?
I don't look at my projects from trade point of view. He suited the subject and that is why he is there. In fact, there were a couple of subjects for him and he selected this one.
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What is the storyline, rather the genre?
Well, I cannot give you the exact storyline, but in a nutshell, it is a fantasy-cum-love story. Rather, a different kind of love story. It's about a man's bizarre experience and how it changes him and everything, including the love of his life!
Is it a low budget, medium budget or a high budget project?
Well, that you have to ask the producers, but I can tell you that it will be a reasonably well mounted project.
What are the location /setting?
It will be predominantly Bombay based, though we may have to shoot in a couple of other cities in India. We are still working out the modalities.
Coming back to the leading man of your first film, Saif Ali Khan, you two never worked together again?
Oh, we are in negotiation and next year there are chances that we will work together.
Your brother, Sridhar Raghavan is a very talented script writer, any chances of the two of you coming together?
That is a question at the apt time! We are going to work together on the Saif Ali Khan project.
Your brother is also working for a Rohan Sippy project, featuring Abhishek Bachchan?
Yes, he is, but right now he is involved with the Akshay Kumar starrer, CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA.
Alright, now something personal. You are originally from South India, how come you settled down in Maharashtra?
See, my father was a government official and his work brought him to this part of India. We liked the place and decided to settle down here. In fact, now we are more Maharashtrians than South Indians!
Tell us about you immediate family and kids…
(Laughs) I got married recently, so that answers your question.
With that last question we bid adieu to a technically brilliant yet down to earth filmmaker, wishing him luck and also hoping for more such good human beings in the tinsel town.
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