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A director who always pours his heart on celluloid can be none other than Raj Kumar Santoshi. This time, he has retuned with a real-life story of a reel-life hero, Ajay Devgan, under Abdol Samee Siddiqui's production. Santoshi has named the movie 'Halla Bol'. He tells us why he made this movie at this period of time. He has been known though for swimming against the tide in Bollywood by making different genres of movies at different times. Santoshi spoke to media on what will potentially make 'Halla Bol' another unforgettable film from his stable. He justifies the choice of Ajay Devgan as hero and Vidya Balan as heroine. He has also involved his star friends through their guest appearances. Santoshi is looking forward to the viewers' response to 'Halla Bol' before contemplating the theme of his next movie.

Excerpts of the interview:

Since your films pick up their inspiration from reality, what prompted you to film 'Halla Bol'?

'Halla Bol' is about the youth and how they should not tolerate injustice but raise their voice and attack. 'Halla Bol' meaning attack, is about how one must not take injustice lying down. This is very important. I am not advocating violence in my film but talking about raising our voice against injustice and protesting. I have been toying with this idea since the last four or five years.

Why did you choose this particular subject?

There is an urgent need for the people who are aware and well-informed, well-read and know what is happening around, to openly speak out their mind and raise an issue and give a platform to it. Only then, things will change.

Why did you opt for Ajay?

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Ajay Devgan plays an actor in the film that moves from being a reel-life hero to a man whose reality gets lost in the mire of his roles and how he grows to become a hero in the real sense. Ajay is very versatile. He has the ability to portray this part realistically. The character required no stylized performance. I wanted to depict the star in a candid manner. I expected Ajay to do justice to the character and that is exactly what he has done.

How did you get such a performances from your actor?

Ajay Devgan is a very good actor. Unfortunately, his talent has not been tapped enough by mainstream films. It is quite thrilling to see his histrionics slowly open up in layers (film by film). He is a star performer on Indian celluloid.

Why did you choose Vidya?

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Her role is very important. Vidya's character goes through the trauma that every star wife goes through. Her character moves from being the girl next door who loves a struggling actor to becoming the love of his life to adjusting herself to the life of a star wife and coping with the trauma. Vidya has truly brought out the essence of the character and has beautifully complimented Ajay's character with her performance.

Then, why a large number of star appearances?

Yes, they are friends and they have just played themselves…They include Sridevi, Boney Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Ruby Bhatia, Pahlaj Nihalani, Neeraj Vora, Tusshar Kapoor, Ranjit Kapoor, Mukesh Tiwari, Kareena Kapoor and Lekh Tandon.

Isn't it an uphill task to complete the movie in 75 days (two schedules only) and that too with the stars and over 65 locations?

That speaks for the efficiency of the production team. We planned well, so shot well.

Your comment on Pankaj Kapoor's character?

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Pankaj Kapoor had grown a beard for three months to look genuine for his character in the film. I had earlier worked with Pankaj when I was working with Govind Nihalani. I have immense respect for him as an actor. I had him in my mind for this role in the film and he has performed so well. He plays a reformed dacoit who is into street theatre and does issue-based plays. It is in his troupe that Ajay Devgan starts his career as an actor.

Sukhwinder Singh sings Gurbani for the first time for 'Halla Bol'. Tell us something about this sequence .

Sukhwinder's Gurbani was very important. Pankaj Kapoor plays a sardar and there was a very important sequence to be shot in a gurudwara. I asked Sukhwinder to sing it and he sang the song with a lot of feeling. He is also a Punjabi and he sang it very beautifully. Since you swim against tide in Bollywood what would you give next?

I have never been the type to follow trends. For example, I made 'Ghayal' when mostly musicals were being churned out. Even 'Andaaz Apna Apna' did not follow any trend. I had made 'Damini' which showed that justice delayed is justice denied. I have always followed my heart, instinct and conscience and made movies. At this point of time, I am awaiting the response to 'Halla Bol' which I have made with great love and affection.