You've never really done a romantic film with an unhappy ending, have you?
I think I must have. Maybe Kya Kehnaa. If getting the girl means happy ending, which generally does. (pauses) I think Agent Vinod too. He saved the world but didn't get the girl. Also, Ek Hasina Thi, I was eaten up by rats in the climax scene, which is not an happy ending either. (Smirks) A few filmmakers I know would like the idea of unhappy ending. Interestingly, for Love Aaj Kal, Imtiaz Ali had an alternate ending in mind, where my dithering character finally comes back to the girl and finds her pregnant. and he doesn't go up to her and goes back to Rishi Kapoor and has a drink with him, who tells him it is unfortunate that it didnt work out but life goes on. But we all felt that that he should get the girl and finally Imtiaz relented.
You like happy endings?
I read somewhere in a filmmaking instruction kind-of-a-book that the ending should be satisfying. So it doesn't matter if it's sad or not. And I agree with that. An open ending is also nice for the right kind of a movie. Sometimes, a happy ending can be contrite.
I hate films with open endings...
Maybe there is a dimension to movies... I mean there definitely is a dimension to movies " where the audience fills in the blanks. and that is also an interesting thing.
I feel that if someone has started telling a story, they should end it.
(Grins) There are films by people like David Lynch for which you have to get on the internet to check what it means, which can be pretty annoying, like The Ring. The movie ends and you go WHAAAT! Mulholland Drive is another film like that. Someone said the clue is in the title sequence, and I watched that a hundred times and I could not figure it out. It drove me mad.
Whose idea was the naughty title?
The directors (Raj and DK). I had very little to contribute with the film apart from trying to make it happen. I hope we are lucky enough to have news guys like this all the time. And maybe we will be, that's the nature of film life. Their specialty is to bring things..in the past they haven't realised on budget, show formula..They are funny, witty and strong on content. They said the title should be Happy Ending and we said, No, no that's really suggestive."
You said that!
Well, yes. But you know my interactions shape me slightly. So if I meet too many people playing safe, I would like to be different. But if somebody comes and tells me you have the control and I want to keep the title as Happy Ending, I would be like, let me think about it'. But it was the right decision. Film titles have also changed with fashion. From Lahoo Ke Do Rang to now we have Bodyguard. It's English title time now, so that's good.
What is your space: Romance, comedy or drama?
I was thinking, it's remarkable that I have kind of grown up rather publicly in a way. I started out when I was 20 and now I am 44. Someone made a montage of my films with Preity Zinta, because I have worked with her many times sporadically through out those 20 years. And there is a lot of uncertainty on my face. It's a cross between a very protected upbringing and something else I cannot define. I don't know what the answer to what space I fit into, is. But what comes comfortably, is romantic comedy and I think people feel comfortable accepting.
Please continue...
Also, I should be doing such films but earlier when people said I would feel a little slotted and I would say I wanted to do an Agent Vinod and Ek Haseena Thi. I want to do a Parineeta and Omkara too. but those are edges. There is a sense of urban timing and comedy that comes naturally, which I would think is silly not to capitalise on it as a USP because it is not everybody's gift. A lot of good-looking guys in Bollywood who have star presence perhaps can't do that.
True. But you moved away from your kind of cinema with Bullett Raja and Humshakals. Were you trying to find a different space?
Maybe.Yes. You talk about doing different things, experiment with different kind of roles, different makers,... Also, at the time, my thinking was, that the box office of the kind of films I was doing was not as wide as some of the other films that were being made. And I thought it would be nice to have one of those films. Also I felt that maybe after all these years I had learnt enough about acting to try and so that was the attempt. But now, I have realised that even if the box office is not that wide, one should stick to a certain culture of film. and respect that and be surrounded with people like that and say this is my world and be happy with that. But of course there are always exception Raju Hirani came to me, I am sure there would be meeting of minds..I mean I don't mean to..everyone caters to what they do is best.
So you are done doing a film for a hit?
Yes, I think now I am done with that. Some lessons have been learnt after quite a lot of thinking about it. But the lessons I learnt were something that I had always suspected. Happy Ending has not come about because of a failure and introspection that let me sign this. It was always there. And because it was always there, I thought I could take a bit of a chance.
You play all kinds of roles, so it's safe to say you have never been slotted. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Well, ultimately it is a good thing. Because there is so much choice out there and for a consumer to associate you with one thing, is a nice thing. It's better than nothing. Because you have given them a feeling that if they want to see...You might think you are very cool but they might want to see action from this guy and romance from that guy and at least they want to see something from you and that's nice in a competitive market. and one should respect that and I do. And I also actually really enjoy that kind of cinema and if I didn't that somewhere that might come across. It's just that in real life i would probably watch those films than a thriller..
Do you find it easier to work with new actresses or someone with whom you have a comfort level?
Comfort is normally the enemy. Strangers are always easier. But somebody who has always been a professional is easier as well. If you get to know somebody that is different. That is not an advantage when you are playing a romantic pair, I think. Unless you have always been co-stars. The initial chemistry should be that of hero and heroine. That's important. I guess there are women that make you feel, for example working with Preity feels good, but working with Ileana is different. She is a sparkling actress. She is really, really good. And I thought I was good at this sort of a role because it is a world that I have kind of been in, but it really falls flat without the timing at the other end, which she has. She reminds me of Kajol and Rani except she is more Western.
The roles which seem like an extension of yourself work for you more than maybe an Aarakshan. Agree?
I completely agree. We rushed a bit into Aarakshan also.
Yes, it is hard to picture you as a (tatti-saaf karne wala) untouchable.
(Laughs) Genetically, I am at a disadvantage to play this role, ironically. But you know the right haircut, the right look can help, if it is worked on. There are certain films that Prakashji makes, and I am no one to judge or talk negatively about him, but some of his ideas will be great while suited to him. And some will not be really exciting to other people. So what I am saying is that I think Aarakshan falls into the latter category. But that's the thing he is passionate about, because you know he is politically motivated.
In hindsight do you think it was wrong to disown Humshakals?
I didn't disown Humshakals. I played a shining main lead and worked very hard for all the four roles.
Three roles!
No, there was that female character too. That makes it four. I had a blast working with Sajid, who I love personally. My colleagues tell me that I haven't promoted any other film with so much heart. But if the film doesn't run, I feel something is wrong. We have made a wrong kind of movie. That's all I am saying.
Was Sajid upset?
Apparently yes.
Have you reached out to him to sort it out?
I will. I haven't sorted it out yet. I mean I have sent messages to him, but he hasn't replied. I am allowed to say that I think we have made a wrong film because I have also worked for it. It's not that I have insulted his jagir, as such.
Do you have any directors on your wishlist?
Raju Hirani. And maybe Sanjay
Leela Bhansali. (Smiles) But I don't know if I can dance like he would expect me to.
sarita.tanwar@dnaindia.com...Contd from pg1
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