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The youngest nephew of Aamir Khan in 'Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke' has grown up. Sir, Naaraaz, Aazmaish, Raja Hindustani, Tamanna, Bhai, Dushman, Angaarey and Zakhm - as a child artist, that's quite a long filmography, Kunal Khemu can be proud of. Here's the lad talking about debuting as a lead actor in his mentor Mahesh Bhatt's Kalyug.
From a child actor to an adult actor, how has the journey been?
The journey has been great. I always wanted to become an actor and I was lucky enough to be a child actor. This is all I wanted and this is what I am doing now.
How is Mahesh Bhatt as a godfather?
He has been like a guru to me. My first film 'Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke' has been with him and I guess that's where he saw something in me where he felt I could be different. I remember he wanted to make Zakhm and he narrated the story to me three years before the actual shoot and insisted that I do the film no matter what.
Tell us about Kalyug.
It is very realistic. I won't say it is different because at the end of the day we are here to do commercial films. So it is an entertaining film with all the commercial aspects. At the same time it deals with a realistic problem of today.
Didn't you have any inhibitions on signing an adult based film for your debut?
The film deals with po*nography but at the same time, we are not supporting po*nography. We don't have those hot and steamy scenes. It was initially titled 'Blue Film' but was changed subsequently because we did not want to cheat our audience thinking that it is a blue film. It is a bold film but is not related to soft po*n and erotica.
Tell us about co-star Deepal Shaw.
She is a very hard-working girl and she comes with an image of a baby doll as she is known in one of her videos. She wants to break that image and I don't think there are video girls who are doing mainstream lead roles.
There were rumors of you and Deepal seeing each other?
As you said they are rumors and there's no truth in them. If we were seeing each other we wouldn't have hidden the fact because it wouldn't have done either of us any damage. People can think what they have to.
Tell us about comeback lady Amrita Singh?
She is a fabulous person and I don't need to say she is a terrific actress because everyone knows that. I told her I am her biggest fan after watching 'Chameli Ki Shaadi'. She was the youngest at heart on the sets and lifted our spirits up.
Your take on the family - Mohit Suri, Smiley and Emraan Hashmi.
Mohit is a young and talented director. He did Zeher and now is doing something totally different. He has new ideologies which is good for the film. Besides being the director he is also a good friend of mine and we discuss a lot of things apart from the film.
Smiley is a very dear friend to me. She is a very nervous human being but her nervousness makes her do better all the time. There was a remarkable improvement from her first day of shoot till her last. I'm sure people are going to love her in the film.
With Emraan too there was a controversy of us fighting which is not true at all. I am not close to Emraan as he is doing a cameo in the film. He is a relaxed guy and very laid-back and best of all he doesn't throw attitude.
Tell us about the music
The Bhatts always have good music and this film is not exception. We have two emotional songs by Anu Malik which are very good. Then there is Aadat recreated by Mithun Sharma the same guy who did Woh Lamhe. There is Jiya Dhadak Dhadak by Raahat Fateh Ali Khan. Overall great music!
Have you signed on any more films?
I haven't officially signed on any films but will do so once this film is out. I have been meeting a lot of people and things look promising. I'm hoping of doing another film with the Bhatts.
Finally, according to you what is the USP of the film?
The concept of the film, which is very real. It is a fact fiction. Then a new and fresh team as well as an experienced cast. Lastly the kick-ass music, obviously.
From a child actor to an adult actor, how has the journey been?
The journey has been great. I always wanted to become an actor and I was lucky enough to be a child actor. This is all I wanted and this is what I am doing now.
How is Mahesh Bhatt as a godfather?
He has been like a guru to me. My first film 'Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke' has been with him and I guess that's where he saw something in me where he felt I could be different. I remember he wanted to make Zakhm and he narrated the story to me three years before the actual shoot and insisted that I do the film no matter what.
Tell us about Kalyug.
It is very realistic. I won't say it is different because at the end of the day we are here to do commercial films. So it is an entertaining film with all the commercial aspects. At the same time it deals with a realistic problem of today.
Didn't you have any inhibitions on signing an adult based film for your debut?
The film deals with po*nography but at the same time, we are not supporting po*nography. We don't have those hot and steamy scenes. It was initially titled 'Blue Film' but was changed subsequently because we did not want to cheat our audience thinking that it is a blue film. It is a bold film but is not related to soft po*n and erotica.
Tell us about co-star Deepal Shaw.
She is a very hard-working girl and she comes with an image of a baby doll as she is known in one of her videos. She wants to break that image and I don't think there are video girls who are doing mainstream lead roles.
There were rumors of you and Deepal seeing each other?
As you said they are rumors and there's no truth in them. If we were seeing each other we wouldn't have hidden the fact because it wouldn't have done either of us any damage. People can think what they have to.
Tell us about comeback lady Amrita Singh?
She is a fabulous person and I don't need to say she is a terrific actress because everyone knows that. I told her I am her biggest fan after watching 'Chameli Ki Shaadi'. She was the youngest at heart on the sets and lifted our spirits up.
Your take on the family - Mohit Suri, Smiley and Emraan Hashmi.
Mohit is a young and talented director. He did Zeher and now is doing something totally different. He has new ideologies which is good for the film. Besides being the director he is also a good friend of mine and we discuss a lot of things apart from the film.
Smiley is a very dear friend to me. She is a very nervous human being but her nervousness makes her do better all the time. There was a remarkable improvement from her first day of shoot till her last. I'm sure people are going to love her in the film.
With Emraan too there was a controversy of us fighting which is not true at all. I am not close to Emraan as he is doing a cameo in the film. He is a relaxed guy and very laid-back and best of all he doesn't throw attitude.
Tell us about the music
The Bhatts always have good music and this film is not exception. We have two emotional songs by Anu Malik which are very good. Then there is Aadat recreated by Mithun Sharma the same guy who did Woh Lamhe. There is Jiya Dhadak Dhadak by Raahat Fateh Ali Khan. Overall great music!
Have you signed on any more films?
I haven't officially signed on any films but will do so once this film is out. I have been meeting a lot of people and things look promising. I'm hoping of doing another film with the Bhatts.
Finally, according to you what is the USP of the film?
The concept of the film, which is very real. It is a fact fiction. Then a new and fresh team as well as an experienced cast. Lastly the kick-ass music, obviously.
Ganga Mai Ki Betiyan
Anupamaa
