'Ranbir isn't a sexual predator'
Siddharth Anand is a confident man these days. And he insists the promos of his Bachna Ae Haseeno have generated lot of curiosity. Even though a Yashraj film today doesn't attract the attention it used to a few years back Anand feels one man with three women on a poster is reason enough to get people excited. We talked to the director about moving from Saif to Ranbir, dealing with the failure of Ta Ra Rum Pum and managing three beauties on one set.
What came first, the title or the theme song?
Oh, the title came in much before the song. When we decided to make a film with Ranbir and three women, Bachna Ae Haseeno was the unanimous choice. I had always planned to use the opening tune of the song in the background.
You had initially planned the film with four heroines. Now that Katrina Kaif is such a big star, do you regret dropping her track from the film?
The decision was not based on Katrina's success. Welcome had already released when we chose to do away with her track from the story. It was entirely due to the length of the film, which would have exceeded well over three hours. We were all set to make the longest film ever. But Katrina had a great role, something totally unique. Someday I would like to make that story into a full-fledged Ranbir-Katrina film.
Was Ranbir always your first choice?
Yes, he was. But we were praying he would say yes. Saawariya hadn't released when we offered him this film and he was rejecting offers left, right and centre. But we are glad he chose Bachna Ae Haseeno as his second film. His character in the film ages from 16 to 30 years and I feel Ranbir can portray the entire age group well.
And the three women…
Minissha Lamba plays a simple, sweet, small town girl while Deepika Padukone plays an NRI. Bipasha is your independent, successful, attractive Mumbai girl. The all have distinct looks and characters because Ranbir (who plays Raj Sharma, a gaming programmer at Microsoft) meets them at different stages of his life. In fact this variety is there in the music too.
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I have no idea about his personal life. As far I know right now there's only Deepika in his life. But I wouldn't like to call his character a Casanova. He is a regular guy who like all of us in this room goes through series of relationships. And each woman he meets teaches him something about life. Bachna Ae Hasseno is a family film, so I am sorry all of you with naughty thoughts in your minds will be disappointed. At one point there is only one girl in his life. Trust me, Ranbir is not a sexual predator in the film.
Will you alter the climax and add more Ranbir-Deepika scenes now?
Not at all. Actually they had finished shooting their portions before they started dating. I don't think audiences care too much about watching real life couples on screen. People are talking more about the film than the cast. Everyone has been going 'wow'. But it's a film with a heart and has much more than just froth and gloss.
Was it easy handling these three gorgeous women on your sets?
Fortunately there wasn't too much work that required the three of them together. I was sure since they signed the film there were no doubts regarding their roles. Otherwise it would have been a bit problematic, as women are very sensitive. I feel I am more of a man's director. I get along very well with all my heroes. With my heroines the relationship is more professional. But they all brought a lot of positive energy with them on the sets. In fact filmmaking these days has become like going to office. You enter and exit at a certain time. There is no space for small talk, ego clashes and arguments. Come, do your work and pack up.
Who is your favourite?
Of course, Bipasha. I was completely in awe of her. Everyone else was a pal, but she made me go weak in the knees. But she is used to that. Anyways, because comparisons are bound to be there all three have worked extra hard to look their best.
Who do you think fans will like?
It will be a divided opinion. When both Sachin and Dhoni score a 100 you will still have a favourite. The girls have been presented in never before seen roles.
Why did you drop your one time favourite Saif for Ranbir?
Your film is releasing at a time when Yash Raj is at a low. Is there an added sense of pressure?
When Salaam Namastey released, the pressure was to match the successes of Dhoom, Hum Tum, Bunty Aur Babli and Veer Zaara. So pressure is always there. I think films fail, banners don't. It's a collective responsibility. Yash Raj is like family. I have got the biggest of stars and the most lavish scales for my films. At Yash Raj, if Adi wants to make a film and the director doesn't, the feeling is, 'it should not be made'. And if the director wants to make a film and the producer doesn't, 'it will not be made'. Adi is the backbone of every film at Yash Raj. He is a master troubleshooter. Look at the variety of films produced by them in the last few years.
This is your third film with Vishal-Shekhar. What kind of comfort level do you guys share?
The greatest thing about working with Vishal-Shekhar is that we don't have to think too much. We don't spend long hours discussing the script and concept. They just know what I want. After Ta Ra Rum Pum failed to impress audiences, we have worked extra hard to come up with a really rocking soundtrack.
Is Rishi Kapoor also doing a cameo in the film?
No. But Ranbir is a chip off the old block. Rishi Kapoor is the God of romance and I hope Ranbir lives up to that image.
Vishal-Shekhar upbeat...
This film has a lot of references to DDLJ. The 'Come Fall in Love' tagline, his name Raj, he is shown playing the mandolin in a still and even SRK's Ruk Jaa… song then sounded a bit like Bachna Ae Haseeno. So is this the new age DDLJ?
Please don't think so much. I think we have just been clever in our packaging. I love the come fall in love…thrice tagline.
Finally, Salaam Namastey was Nine Months, Ta Ra Rum Pum was Life is Beautiful. Is your third film original?
It's better the audience decides rather than me calling my film original. What happens is when certain films influence you, one subconsciously adds references to them while writing. So I never intended to copy any film. It's just that those scenes stayed with me in my mind and while writing they just fit beautifully in my story. I never expected the backlash though.
I would have loved to cast Saif in the film. But the age of the character fitted Ranbir better. And trust me you will see a new Ranbir in the film. I'll say we are re-launching him. It's like a new debut for him. The range the film offers him is a dream for any actor. Ranbir fortunately is relatively new yet seasoned enough as a performer. And you can't doubt his acting skills. It's in his genes. Saif and Ranbir have this quality of being the same both on and off camera. So their body language and dialogues are always natural.
The promos have the freshness one saw in Salaam Namastey. What went wrong in Ta Ra Rum Pum and have you learnt any lessons?
The genres are completely different. Ta Ra Rum Pum was a mature family drama, with little romance and humour. It's a film I am very proud of the film because it stretched me as a director. I got a chance to work on such a huge canvas very early in my career. I guess people didn't get the concept of poverty abroad. There, even if you are in the dumps financially you can afford decent food, clothing and shelter. You can still drive a car and go to school. People perhaps couldn't relate to the film and that's the greatest lesson. Having said that, I tend to detach from a film post release.
Your film is releasing at a time when Yash Raj is at a low. Is there an added sense of pressure?
When Salaam Namastey released, the pressure was to match the successes of Dhoom, Hum Tum, Bunty Aur Babli and Veer Zaara. So pressure is always there. I think films fail, banners don't. It's a collective responsibility. Yash Raj is like family. I have got the biggest of stars and the most lavish scales for my films. At Yash Raj, if Adi wants to make a film and the director doesn't, the feeling is, 'it should not be made'. And if the director wants to make a film and the producer doesn't, 'it will not be made'. Adi is the backbone of every film at Yash Raj. He is a master troubleshooter. Look at the variety of films produced by them in the last few years.
This is your third film with Vishal-Shekhar. What kind of comfort level do you guys share?
The greatest thing about working with Vishal-Shekhar is that we don't have to think too much. We don't spend long hours discussing the script and concept. They just know what I want. After Ta Ra Rum Pum failed to impress audiences, we have worked extra hard to come up with a really rocking soundtrack.
Is Rishi Kapoor also doing a cameo in the film?
No. But Ranbir is a chip off the old block. Rishi Kapoor is the God of romance and I hope Ranbir lives up to that image.
Vishal-Shekhar upbeat...
This film has a lot of references to DDLJ. The 'Come Fall in Love' tagline, his name Raj, he is shown playing the mandolin in a still and even SRK's Ruk Jaa… song then sounded a bit like Bachna Ae Haseeno. So is this the new age DDLJ?
Please don't think so much. I think we have just been clever in our packaging. I love the come fall in love…thrice tagline.
Finally, Salaam Namastey was Nine Months, Ta Ra Rum Pum was Life is Beautiful. Is your third film original?
It's better the audience decides rather than me calling my film original. What happens is when certain films influence you, one subconsciously adds references to them while writing. So I never intended to copy any film. It's just that those scenes stayed with me in my mind and while writing they just fit beautifully in my story. I never expected the backlash though.
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