I should be convinced the role can't be played by anyone else: ALR

Director Aanand L Rai feels that there is a sensitive connect between the makers and the audience as we invest so much in terms of emotions. Piracy is breaking that relationship.

Director-producer Aanand L Rai on his next film starring Shah Rukh Khan and the appeal of telling stories about small-town India.

There is a lot of speculation around your next film in which Shah Rukh Khan plays a dwarf. What is it about?

It is at the writing and scripting stage. Since it is the story of a dwarf, people are speculating that a lot of VFX will be used. The technical aspect of the film is a very small part, though. Emotionally, it is going to be a very tough film for me. I am enjoying the fact that it is a love story, although it is a challenge to portray this particular man-woman relationship. It is very Indian at heart and the story will unfold in Meerut, Ghaziabad, Delhi and Mumbai.

Every time I move from one film to another, I need to feel nervous about whether or not I will be able to make it. I don't make it easy for me. After Tanu Weds Manu (2011), moving on to Raanjhana (2013) was a tough call. I wondered if the viewers would accept an ordinary looking south Indian actor playing a Banarasi boy in a way that breaks the mould of Bollywood heroes.

Stills from Tanu Weds Manu.

Your films have interesting casts. How do you go about it?

I call it emotional mathematics. When I look at an actor, I should feel convinced that the role can't be played by anyone else. Now, let's talk about the economics behind that decision. I always believe that one should first get their cast right, and then set the budget. A bigger star will give me a bigger budget. But do I need a bigger budget for that story, is something I ask myself. If that's not necessary, I give casting a fresh look. I love constraints. What I need is large-hearted people around me who are like family members. We should be able to speak our minds to each other. I need that bond while working on a film.

So how do you create this bond?

I am emotionally attached to all my actors. I bare myself to them, emotionally, before we start shooting the film, so that we're able to create that character together, honestly. They know my strengths, weaknesses and even how ordinary I am. They learn how I view the world, life and relationships. I have had great sittings with Dhanush, R Madhavan, Kangana Ranaut and Sonam Kapoor, among others. My process, however, starts with a story. I should be able to bring in a part of me into the story.

Earlier, I was very comfortable saying that give me my actors and the camera, and I will do my work.' But I was getting complacent. Now, in the new movie with Shah Rukh Khan, we are tackling a different beast " VFX. Giving the audience an Indian story, in spite of the technology we use, is an exercise. My attempt is to keep it as real as possible.

Aanand L Rai has been at the helm of blockbusters like Tanu Weds Manu and Raanjhanaa but it is his upcoming movie with superstar Shah Rukh Khan that the filmmaker calls his biggest project till date.

Speaking of Indian stories, you came on board as producer for Nil Battey Sannata a bit late, but you were very involved with its promotion. Did its success surprise you?

As filmmakers, we have never delivered what the audience deserves. At times, we have even cheated them. So it has taken us a little more time to earn their confidence. I was expecting a positive response for Nil Battey Sannata, but not this kind of overwhelming reaction. I thought it was a small-budget film, that it might not earn much money, but it would get us respect. I received both. What did the trick was honest storytelling and dealing with an issue the audience could identify with.

This film gave me the feeling that we are doing little more than just telling a story " we're contributing to our society. There's an audience that is waiting for this kind of cinema, and expecting us to make many more films like this.

As a director too, you have developed a way of telling stories from small-town India.

I never consciously pick stories about small towns. As Indians, we have that basic middle-class mentality and values. Tomorrow, I can possess a bigger house, but I will still stick to my values. Right now, the real India with real values lives in small towns. Some of us might live in Mumbai, but our heart is in these places. When I pick up a story, my heart automatically shifts gear and travels to Benaras, Haryana and Lucknow. When I say small town, I mainly refer to the people who are a little more straightforward and innocent than city people " be it Datto from Haryana, Tanu from Lucknow or, Kundan and Zoya from Benaras. Nil Battey Sannata showed another part of Uttar Pradesh and another strata of society. The best part was that it could be the story of any mother.

How does your background help you in building these stories? Do you travel to experience the life in smaller towns?

I was born and brought up in Delhi and studied engineering in Aurangabad. My mother was a fine arts teacher at Maharani Bagh Government School and my father was an English professor. My brother Ravi Rai was doing television shows and that drew me to the world of entertainment. Also, while studying engineering, I realised that I can't do a 9-5 job and lead a routine life. Meeting people and getting to know them made me happy. I realised that telling stories would help me in understanding people better.
When I was shooting for Tanu Weds Manu Returns in Jhajjar, Haryana for 20 days, I ate dinner at 20 different homes. The experience of someone you've known only for a couple of days cooking for you is incredible. That kind of warmth stayed with me and I try to bring this feeling into my films.

How are you handling being both a producer and director?

I am enjoying this phase. With the success of Raanjhana and Tanu Weds Manu, I have received more love from the audience than I could have ever expected. After Nil Battey..., I am producing Happy Bhaag Jayegi, Nimmo and Manmarziya. I can't do so many films as a director. My task is to give my audience as many stories that strike a chord as possible. For this, I have to work very hard and be in a certain frame of mind. I don't take myself seriously as a filmmaker, as someone who will bring change in society, but what I am enjoying is the fact that each film allows me to grow as a person.

Recently, you joined other directors during the Udta Punjab press conference to appeal to the CBFC.

As filmmakers, we are at a very interesting phase right now. It was heartwarming to see other filmmakers coming together in support of one movie. A wide variety of films " such as Udta Punjab, Raman Raghav 2.0 and Tanu Weds Manu Returns " are being made and filmmakers should be encouraged to breathe freely in society. That's why my appeal was don't scare us'. We are obedient citizens and well aware of our roles.

Do you think the frequent leaking of upcoming releases is a problem?

It is very scary. It puts us on the backfoot " you can't see the enemy and that's a horror. As a director, I want to reach the audience in a certain way in the theatres. There is a sensitive connect between the makers and the audience as we invest so much in terms of emotions. Piracy is breaking that relationship.