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| "A lot of people who watch the film might disregard it and say its rubbish" - Aftab Shivdasani | ||||
| Labeled as a chocolate-boy, Aftab Shivadasani made an entry into Bollywood with Ram Gopal Varma's Mast. And despite a Mast performance, the projects that he did post-Mast didn't translate into box office successes. The actor was last seen in the film Shukriya along with South Indian actress Shreya Sharan. He is gearing for his next release Koi Aap Sa after a gap of a year. We at IndiaFM spoke to the actor on the eve of the release of his next film. Aftab, after a long gap you will be seen back on screen, this time in Ekta's Koi Aap Sa. Tell us what genre would you put Koi Aap Sa in? I would put KAS in the romantic comedy genre. It is essentially about 2 best friends who are soul mates who love each other as friends and through this film we are trying to distinguish between love and friendship. There is a very thin line that separates the two. Such a delicate line, 'friends may not be lovers, but lovers have to be friends.' It's such a subtle line that, one conveniently overlooks it. People think that a platonic friendship is just not possible between any guy and a girl which is what we have tried to actually divulge on and try and make a very cool and entertaining film. It is a pretty bold subject, but it's treated very simply, which I believe is the USP of the film.
When you are trying to make a difficult subject, the easiest way is to treat it simply. That's exactly what we have done because if we have something extraordinary and if we try and treat it extraordinarily then it might take away the essence of the subject, so we've tried to treat it very simply and in an understandable manner. What is important is that people should feel for the characters and the situations. Like I said, it's a very thin line between friendship and love, which is what we want to actually tell people. We also want to harp on the fact that friends need not necessarily be lovers, but lovers essentially need to be friends, to know each other and understand each other and that is the kind of quality that we have harped upon. It's a normal college story between three friends and of course it has an element of comedy and romance in it. The movie also gets emotional towards the latter half, but not that you going to cry and cry, it's just a slight hint of emotions, which you feel for the characters basically. Dealing with subjects such as love and friendship, tell us whether you have been luckier in friendship or in love? Or you have the best of both? I think I have the best of both. That's a more realistic way to put it. It actually goes in both phases, in some phases I've been luckier in friendship, in some, with love. But like you said, I've got a pinch of both. So no complaints! You know how women think, their basic nature is insecurity and jealousy, but they are wonderful because you can't live with them and you cannot live without them. We see you with Dipannita and Natasha; tell us how you feel with both the women around you in the movie? (Laughs) Well, both are monsters. It's the most awkward situation where one is caught between two women, one being a best friend and one being a lover. You know how women think, their basic nature is insecurity and jealousy, but they are wonderful because you can't live with them and you cannot live without them. Both have been fantastic and both are great actors. Both have an individual track to play in the film, even though all of us are together, but the beauty is that every character has got something to do, yes, there are misunderstandings, lot of insecurities, but there is also a lot of humor in the middle of it which is what makes it very different. It is not to be taken in a serious manner. It's a lot of fun, but at the same time, there is a tinge of emotion towards the end which I think is necessary for you to feel the film, to feel the sentiments of the film. Both, Dipannita and Natasha have done a wonderful job; both of them have not got too much of exposure in terms of cinema. I don't want to speak like an uncle, but they are relatively newer than I am, but this film should give them an opening and let people take them seriously, because they both are wonderful actors. What we saw in the promos of the film, you are imitating Natasha, and one could see a bond forming between the two of you. Yes, we became really good friends through the making of the film, mainly because we had to feel for the characters. These two characters are soul mates in the film and if we did not feel the chemistry it might have not worked in the film, which I felt was most important with Koi Aap Sa. If the chemistry did not work then the film would not have worked, luckily the chemistry worked really well. We got along really well and exactly what we are on screen is what we are off screen and that's the beauty of it. Is there anything interesting about monster number 1, Natasha? (Laughs) What I like about her is that she is very simple, sweet, very unassuming and humble. She is a very good actor who possibly has not been given the opportunity she deserves. It's a performance oriented film, it's not just another mushy film. It's a film which expects a performance from an actor; it's a film that challenges an actor, because when you talk about the two emotions of the time - love and friendship, you need to know the difference between both to enact it and convince the audiences. I will be saying the same thing for Dipannita. Both of them have done their parts well so as to make the chemistry look believable. But yes, she has the sensibilities and sensitivity in her which is what makes her look very believable and real. Even her look has not been very glamorous, but very tom boyish. Many actresses fall in the glamour trap where they want to look very good in every frame. She's one girl who actually let that bypass and been in the character which is more important for this film. And monster number 2? Monster number 2 is a wonderful girl; she's one of the sweetest people I've ever known. I've had a great time working in the film. She is a very simple girl. What was important is the simplicity in the film; the subject and the treatment. All actors in real life are also very simple in real life, which also makes that very special. If anyone is not in that mindset and tries to do something, then it would look a little fake, but if it inherently is in your character then it looks a little more realistic so she is a good actor, very sweet and down to earth. She's got a slightly more serious track in the film because she plays a lover and obviously she does feel the insecurity of me, having a best friend and a girl at the same time. But there is no animosity as such; there is no vindictiveness or viciousness.
It is not larger than life; it is much more realistic, it's not in your face. It's very sweet, and doesn't make the character grey. You'll start to like all the characters. It is just the situation what you would turn around and blame like I wish the situation would not happen so as to let the characters react in a particular way. And what is this 'angel' (Aftab) doing between the two monsters? Ahh! Thanks! The angel is actually stuck between the two monsters. He's actually trying to make a balance between the two. What is your characters name in KAS? My characters name is Rohan. He is the football captain of the college. He is a very young bubbly energetic guy. He wants to make people happy. He's got this thing where he doesn't want to hurt or harm anybody and makes sure that the people he cares about have a smile on their faces. There are a lot of funny incidents where he takes the help of his best friend to help him with this girl he wants to get. There are hilarious sequences where they screw up and goof up. It's very sweet film and on the whole is packaged as a complete entertainer. What was the on the set chemistry between you guys? Well exactly as it is on the screen. Exactly how all of us used to sit and bond and have fun and crack jokes and be on each others cases all the time, which is very rare otherwise. Usually after every shot everyone just goes to their rooms and sits down. But here all of us were together laughing, joking, and eating together, a complete paid picnic. So, on the whole it was very good. Comment on the music? The music is very good; Himesh is on the top right now and is doing a wonderful job on everything he does. What he's done with this film is that he has given a lot of melody, lot of beat and emotions in this songs and not just added and item song or a love song for the sake of it. He has commercial melody and he knows that it is going to track people. He's given that flavor in the song. He's given item numbers which are catching up and 1 song on friendship and one love. He's given a package on everything. It is an asset to the film. You just mentioned the movie is a romantic comedy; you are just fantastic when it comes to delivering lines. How was this brand of comedy? The comedy is not very in your face. It's actually very in the scene. You never know he's going to make a joke. I don't like a deliberate in your face comedy. I like the situation kind of comedy where the actor is not trying to make a joke and looks inherently funny and that is the kind that gives me a high and this is something that excites me more. And it is working beautifully because it is not a comedy film by genre it is a romantic film by genre so the forced humor would have looked added. Tell us something about the director Well, he is a football champ himself. That's why he chose football. He is a debutante who is very sensible. He has a good head on his shoulders because to handle a subject like this was most difficult for the director than the actors and the producer. If the director does not communicate to the actors what he wants, then the film is going to fall flat. Obviously, the director has to have that kind of sensibility and sensitivity to get his actors to understand what he wants. He handled it pretty delicately. I'm sure he's as nervous as all of us. He's done a good job and his work will definitely be appreciated. It takes courage to handle a subject like this. A lot of people who watch the film might disregard it and say its rubbish. Or some people might say it is fantastic. The efforts that go into making that 'rubbish' are conveniently overlooked. Let me tell you that every single frame, shot and take in this film is dealt with a lot of sensitivity. So that should be kept in mind while watching this film. What do you have to say to Ms. Money Bags, Ekta? Ekta Kapoor is an institution by herself, as we all know. I believe this film's subject is her forte. She has attempted a lot of different genres in films. Is she really a task-master as people believe? I think she is very misunderstood. She is a kind soul. The fact that she is passionate about her work is often misunderstood and people think she is this 'angry young woman' who lashes out at everybody. So as long as you do your work well, she will regard you in high esteem. All creative people at the end of the day are mad! It includes all of us! Ekta is no different! She is dynamic. She sleeps only for four hours a day. Because of her hard work and sincerity, she has built such an empire. She has cinematically formatted what she shows on television. It will be on the big screen with so much of fanfare and hype. This being her forte, she believes with full conviction that it will work. We being a part of the film are also supporting her as we also believe that it will work. In terms of romantic comedies, who do you think would make the perfect Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in Bollywood? Which actors can pull of a romantic comedy with great ease? I think Rani Mukherjee would be my choice. She is effortless. Among the actors I think it would be Saif. He is fantastic and I am very fond of him. Saif has a flavor and style of his own. He's one guy who can entertain you for a long time.
No, not really. As long as I am clear about my role and about the fact that the director will do justice to my character. I have always thought like that because if I get insecure I might not be able to do what I'm supposed to do. You must make sure that you do your part well. If you do your part well, you will definitely be noticed. What's your take on the sex comedies that are being produced of late? I think nothing can supercede Kya Kool Hai Hum! In the sense, the movie has broken all barriers and limits! The only thing left to do is to expose because it has talked about sex to no end! Masti was more of double meanings and not in-your-face. Kya Kool Hai Hum went a step further. In the sex comedy genre, it would be difficult to supercede it. Tell us about your upcoming films. Of course, my next release is Koi Aap Sa. Then there is this film called Jaane Hoga Kya, which is a sci-fi thriller. That should be out in November-December. December end will also see Darwaza Bandh Rakho. Then there is Ankahee with Vikram Bhatt and Pritish Nandy. It was earlier titled Aakhir. I'm also starting two other films. One is a comedy called Shaadi Se Pehle with Subhash Ghai and Satish Kaushik and a film with David Dhawan which will start in January. And there is a guest appearance in Mr.Ya Miss. It has been twelve months since my last film released. I just want to clog people up with my films! Also all your releases belong to different genres. Koi Aap Sa is a romantic comedy. Jaane Hoga Kya is a sci-fi film. It was in the cans for quite some time but now it's ready to show itself. Mr. Ya Miss is out and out crazy comedy. As it is a guest appearance, I can't really call it my film. Darwaza Bandh Rakho is a black comedy. It's a hostage situation, directed by Chakravarthy. There are 40 characters in the film! It's really crazy! That again is a genre that has never been attempted. You can trust Ramu to do something different. When will we see you and Ramu in a big way? I think it has started already! There is Mr. Ya Miss and Darwaza Bandh Rakho. For 12 months I have been hiding and now people have no choice but to see me!
I have accepted the fact that there are ups and downs. There was a huge down and now things are looking up. I'll keep my fingers crossed. I am generally satisfied. I am in no hurry. I'm taking life as it comes. I believe things will happen when they have to happen. Tell us one romantic incident from your life. I believe in Valentine's Day everyday! I don't keep a date for Valentines. To tell you one incident, once my girlfriend had a fight with me. This is in the past. She was so sweet! Before I came home, she had decorated my house. Before she slipped out, I caught her. It was embarrassing for her but it was so sweet at the same time. There were roses all over. She had also bought me a chocolate cake. It was funny because generally the guy does these things. When someone does this for you, it is extremely special. I was touched. There were roses and candles all over. Tell us a memorable fun incident from your life. Three years ago, I was in Bangkok for New Years with my best friends. It was a bachelor's holiday and it was great fun. We had a blast for that one week! All of us were single and so it was great fun. |
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