'Saif is the only star-actor' - Tigamanshu Dhulia

Filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia believes that every film has its own destiny. In Kolkata to shoot Bullet Raja, starring Saif Ali Khan, Sonakshi Sinha and Jimmy Shergill, the director spoke about his struggles and success. Bullet Raja is produced by Rahul Mittra. Dhulia also plans to start working on his unfinished films, Killion of a po*n Filmmaker and Gulami. Excepts:

Is this your first visit to Kolkata?
No, I came here when I was 11 years old. I remember watching two films, Operation Day Break and Rajesh Khanna's Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka. But this is the first time I have come here for work.

How important is Kolkata in Bullet Raja?
It's very important. Sonakshi plays a Bengali girl, who oves out of Kolkata. Then she has come back to the city with Saif. She shows him the city through her eyese. It is set in the present.

Kolkata has become a favourite shooting destination for Hindi films after the success of Kahaani and Barfi!
This is not the reason why I am shooting this film here. Bullet Raja's script happened much before Kahaani and Barfi!. I wanted the story to move out of Lucknow.

The name Bullet Raja sounds like a gangster flick.
Yes, it's a ganster movie, which was written in 2005. I haven't yet made a proper gangster movie, so I wanted to attempt one in this genre. Earlier, the audience would only go for rom-coms and love stories but they are taking interest in films that focus on life in small towns.

Your next project is titled Revolver Rani. It seems you have a fascination for guns and romance.
I like watching action films. It is the easiest route to success .. a man with just a girl and a gun. (Smiles)

You have cast Saif, a star, for the first time.
You mean how did I get him on board? (Laughs) I believe Saif is the only star-actor present in the industry. I have always liked him and have wanted to work with him. He has an interesting appeal as he looks like an urban man. I wanted to challenge myself. Someone like Ajay Devgn would have looked the part but that would have been easy and uninteresting to watch.

Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster Returns looks quite promising.
It was shot on a bigger canvas and a bigger budget. The germ of the sequel was set in the first film. Somewhere I had confidence in it.

Do you think Paan Singh Tomar (PST) would have had a better chance at the Academy Awards to Barfi!?
Yes, if you compare, then yes. It doesn't mean Barfi! was bad. PST would have fared better at the Oscars, as it is a biopic that depicted the suffering of people in the society. Such stories have an edge over the others at the Oscars. It also had Irfaan who is a known face.

How was it acting in Gangs of Wasseypur?
I did it because Anurag Kashyap worked for me in Shagird. I had no idea about the role. My portions were to be shot in Benaras and I thought of taking a break and going to Allahabad, where I was born. I will also be seen acting in Ketan Mehta's Mountain Man.

Any particular actor you want to work with?
I haven't worked with any stars. Sabhi ache hain. Salman, SRK (Smiles)