Raj Kumar Gupta on what makes the Black Tiger fascinating, his journey with India’s Osama and why he is against taking creative liberties with translating real-life stories for the big screen
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 10, 2019)

Raj Kumar Gupta is at his office, waiting. And the first thing he says is, “I hope you have some interesting questions that I would enjoy answering.” And that sets the ball rolling. Excerpts:

For over a decade since Aamir in 2008 to the soon-to-release India’s Most Wanted, all your films have been thrillers. What’s with the fascination with this genre?
It’s something that comes naturally to me and is not genre-specific. Yes, Aamir, No One Killed Jessica, Ghanchakkar, Raid and now, India’s Most Wanted are high on thrills, and drama and humour too. Every film has different moments and I approach them in a way that all the elements come together in a thrilling manner.

When did you decide on making a film based on this lesser-known mission of the Intelligence Bureau which led to the capture of India’s most wanted terrorist?
I started researching the subject in 2013 and thought this story deserved to be told to a wider audience. I took another year to finish the script and then, I got busy with Raid. But right after that, around four years after being involved with the subject, everything fell into place. What kept me going was how unbelievable the story is, the information is not readily available, but I wouldn’t let it go. Imagine five unlikely people on a mission to capture India’s most-wanted terrorist without a single gun? If this doesn’t sound cinematic, I don’t know what would!

Arjun hasn’t played such a character, what made you opt for him?
I think it’s great to have unlikely actors playing roles of unlikely officers on a mission. Arjun and I have been talking about doing something together for a while, and after seeing the trailer of Raid, he called to congratulate. We got talking and he asked, “What are you doing next.” I told him I was working on something and was sending it across. “Just read the script and tell me what you think of it,” I told him.

Then?
The conversation took place at 1 pm, and at 5 pm, he called asking me to let him be a part of the film. What he brought on the table was a passion for the script and a love for the subject.

Tell me honestly, after working with Ajay Devgn in Raid, didn’t you think of casting him?
That’s a difficult question because we had a great time shooting Raid and the film did really well at the box-office. But I knew that as an actor, Ajay had different commitments and as the director, I wanted to start this film immediately after Raid. So, we never even entered into a discussion. Hopefully, we will do something together soon.

Next up, a spy thriller, Black Tiger…
Yes, my partner and I have acquired the official rights to Ravindra Kaushik’s life from his family. He is famously known as the Black Tiger and I have been wanting to make this film for a while now. The family trusted me enough with the rights and I am currently scripting the film.

Will it be a period film set in the ’70s or are you planning to adapt it to modern times?
It would be ridiculous to make a film on someone’s life and change the time frame. That would be an insult to the person who has done so much for the country. I want to be as authentic as possible in my portrayal of that subject, as I have tried to be in all other films.

How did you come across Ravindra Kaushik’s story?
My wife (No One Killed Jessica actress Myra Karn) played a role in getting me to this script. It took three years to research and will take another year to finalise the script.

Buzz is, you have spoken to Hrithik Roshan to play the titular role.
I am not one of those directors who would approach an actor without a script. Having said that, I would love to work with Hrithik in the future, but I can take the casting call only after I have a script in place.

Any plans of working with your wife as an actor in your film?
She has worked with me on India’s Most Wanted as a producer and helped me in other aspects of filmmaking. As far as I know, she is more interested in being behind the camera than in front of it.