Tushar Hiranandani, director of Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar-starrer, on Diwali clash with two biggies and casting the actresses as octogenarians
Nishi Tiwari (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 15, 2019)

As a writer, you’ve worked on films like Masti, Double Dhamaal, Housefull and Ek Villain. But your directorial debut, Saand Ki Aankh, belongs to a completely different genre.
When you see the film, it is very commercial; it has dialogue, emotion, it’s got its fun moments. I’ve made it the way I’ve always written my films.

Tell us a little about bringing the story of the Revolver Dadis, Chandro and Prakashi Tomar, to the screen.
There were a lot of roadblocks, it took five years to release the film (from the time it was conceived). Anurag Kashyap, would tell me whenever we met, “Become a director” and I would think he was just trying to cut out one writer from the industry as he didn’t like the films I write. When he heard that I was doing this film, he came on board as one of the producers. Casting took a long time, but I couldn’t have asked for better actresses than Taapsee (Pannu) and Bhumi (Pednekar).

What was your brief for them?
The dadis are so much fun and so full of energy. That’s why I wanted to shoot the film in Johri, so Taapsee and Bhumi would meet them every day. My brief was to just imitate the dadis and to enjoy themselves.

There was a debate online (after Neena Gupta pointed it out) about casting age-appropriate actors in the film, which is about two octogenarians...
We did try that, but it didn’t work out for reasons I don’t want to get into. But Nargis ji did Mother India, one of my favourite films, in the prime of her career. It was the story of a woman from a young bride to an old matriarch. In my film also, which has Bhumi watching Mother India during her introduction scene, the story starts when the protagonists are 16 and goes on till they are 60. In hindsight, it was a good decision as it has become the biggest talking point of the film.

How involved was Anurag Kashyap?
He gave me one scene to add, which he had written, and it made a lot of difference in the pre-climax. He is the kind of a guy who throws you in the water and you have to start swimming on your own. He is the best producer one can find.

Are there apprehensions about coming out with your film on the same day as the star-studded Housefull 4 and the quirky comedy Made in China, the other two Diwali releases?
Every film has its own life and space. All three films should do well and it should be a happy Diwali for everyone. In fact, I am one of the writers of Housefull 4. Sajid bhai (Nadiadwala, producer) recently messaged me, saying, “Congratulations, this Diwali belongs to you; both the films are yours”.