RITEISH SHIFTS TO ACTION FILM
By Eye TV India Bureau
Tete-a-Tete
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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:
What are you after in the movie' Cash'?
Well, you better watch the film to find it out.
How come you shifted from comedy to action film 'Cash'?
'Cash' is my first action flick.
Have you learnt all the sports you have played in it?
Yes, I started learning skateboarding a month before the shooting started and then I had taken a break. I have done everything from skateboarding, car-chasing to jumping buildings.
Were you hurt during the shooting of these stunts?
Right . During zooming on the skateboard, a stone came in the way and I lost control. I had a bad fall . Since I didn't wear a helmet I got bruised. Another stunt required me to jump into a moving convertible. But when the car was approaching I will-timed and ended up bruising my shoulder.
Is there no comedy in the movie?
No, there is no trace of it. It's primarily an action film and if there's humor, it is subtle and inherent in all the characters.
Being a solo hero, do you go well with multi-starrers?
Oh Yes, 'Cash' is my second film with Ajay Devgan after 'Masti'. With Anna Suniel Shetty, I had worked in 'Apna Sapna Money Money....' So, there was a lot of male bonding on the sets in spite of two females -Esha Deol and Shamita Shetty - there.
Doing any more multi-starrer?
Yes, I have had a blast with Fardeen Khan in 'Heyy Babyy!' Thus, I have no problems working in multi-starrers.
Don't you get solo movies these days?
No, it's not true. I have been offered solo films but I didn't find them interesting.
What about your hit role in 'Apna Sapna..'.?
Well, that role was not only difficult, it was also risky. I wasn't too sure how it would be accepted. Initially, I was to wear flowing skirts and tops but I decided to sport salwar- kameez as that helps cover the bigness of a man. I used a dupatta to cover my broad shoulders and waxed my arms. I tried on different lipsticks until I got the right shade and wore contacts for the first time.
What about your latest release 'Heyy Babyy'?
It's a comic film with a touch of emotion. I play the character of Tanmay who is a flirt and is in great demand as a party entertainer and brings smile on the face of babies. But his entire life revolves around women coming in and going out of it. It's when a six-month old baby comes into their lives that everything changes.
What about your forthcoming movies?
First of all, there is ' Dhamaal' . This is a comedy --. pure humor. We - Sanjay Dutt, Javed Jaffri, Arshad Warsi and myself - had a blast acting in this movie. Strangely, there is no heroine in it.
Would you do sex comedies, too ?
Apart from the sequel of 'Kya Kool Hai Hum', I haven't acted in any such film.