Showing posts with label Anil Sharma interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anil Sharma interview. Show all posts
Hum filmein banate hain peace ke liye, lekin Pakistan peace maanta kahan hai-Anil Sharma
8:07 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; April 28, 2025)
"Sab ne apne-apne tareeqe se bataya hai India aur Pakistan ka conflict. Yashji had his take, Border showed it in a different way. When we made Gadar, we wanted to say, ‘mohabbat hi sab kuch hoti hai,’” shares director Anil Sharma. In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, the veteran filmmaker, who is also one of the original voices of the Indo-Pak conflict on screen, shares his take on how the subject has been portrayed in cinema over the years.
‘Made Gadar with the perspective of humanity’
Through his films, Anil Sharma tried to talk about the power of humanity in the face of conflict. He says, “More than 10 lakh people lost their lives during the partition – one of the greatest tragedies the world has ever witnessed. We asked ourselves, ‘When the people on both sides of the border were so alike, what was the need to create two nations?’ Most of the Muslims living in India at that time could trace their ancestry, in some way or another, back to Hindus. There was a deep sense of brotherhood. It is also true that it was said at the time that Hindus living in Pakistan will continue to live there and Muslims living in Hindustan will continue to live there. Then why did it happen that those summons came, like we showed in Gadar, that Hindus living in Pakistan must leave their homes? Why did that violence happen? It was all because of the game of power and religion – the game that kills humanity. That’s what we tried to show in Gadar. We made the film with this perspective – tread the path of humanity.”
‘Uri showed that aakrosh hai janta mein’
In Uri, the sentiments are very different from that of a Veer-Zaara. “If (Pakistan) comes to our home and kills us, like they killed a few days back in Pahalgam, toh hum kya karenge? Hum bhi ja ke ghuss ke maarenge. Aakrosh hai janta mein – Uri showed that. I showed the same long back in my film Tahalka (1992),” says the director.
‘If we have to improve our relations, we have to think of humanity’
Talking about the attack on tourists, the director adds, “What happened in Pahalgam – why did it happen? Naam puchh-puchh ke maara – matlab kya hai iska? Aur kyun maara pehle toh? Aap ye phailana chahte hain ki Hindu-Muslim mein jhagde ho? Aur ye unki political thinking hai, unke political achievements hain, woh poore ho? Hindustan aur Pakistan ke rishton ke baare mein baat ye hai ki ek baar dono deshon ki awaam soche – politicians toh politics karte rahenge, woh badlenge nahi. Ek baar sab log soche ki hum chalein insaaniyat ke raaste par. As long as we are alive, we must spread love and peace, and that is what can improve Indo-Pak relations.”
He adds, “Consider this : we are spending billions on weapons made by foreign countries and growing poorer by the day. How does that help us? If we have to improve our relations, then we have to think of humanity. I have always made films with that purpose.”
‘Yash ji’s Veer-Zaara was a reminder Aap mohabbat ke raaste chalein’
Our films have often captured the ebb and flow of the relations between the two countries. Sharma says, “How Yash ji depicted Indo-Pak conflict in Veer-Zaara was beautiful. Having survived the partition, he brought a mature perspective that was beautifully reflected in Veer-Zaara. It was a coherent, heartfelt reminder – ‘Aap mohabbat ke raaste chalein.’”
‘We never attack first. But there is a limit to our tolerance’
For those who have lost their loved ones to conflict, there can be no “anti” or “pro” Pakistan film. Hum film banate hain peace ke liye, lekin ye (Pakistan) peace maante kahan hain?,” says Sharma, adding, “Our films are out there for the world to see what really happens. India has always been a peaceful country. We never attack first. But there is a limit to our tolerance. Whenever they attack – we give them a fitting reply. They started the Kargil war, they started the 1965 war, Pulwama, the Parliament attack – and now Pahalgam too. Whenever India reacts to their violence, provocation, or war, we make films that show how peace is possible – but only when the truth is faced.”
The director adds that our films are 100 per cent realistic. “We haven’t portrayed all of Pakistan in a negative light. Several Pakistani characters in Gadar 1 and Gadar 2 were genuine and came from a place of understanding. Hum awaam ko positive dikhane ki koshish karte hain. Awaam ko kabhi negative nahi dikhate. Hum dikhate hain politicans ko negative, jo satya hai. I believe common people in every country are inherently good. Awaam bechari ko kya chahiye? Awaam ko toh keval roti chahiye khaane ko,” he says.
Many people objected to the handpump scene, calling it illogical-Anil Sharma
10:46 PM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; November 7, 2024)
After the string of hits - Pathaan, Gadar 2, and Jawan last year, the current state of cinema is different. This year has brought a noticeable dip, with only a handful of films managing to perform well. Why are audiences finding it harder to connect with films these days? And where have all the mass entertainers disappeared to?
Anil Sharma, often tagged as a director who makes mass entertainers, spoke to us about what goes into making a mass entertainer and says there is nothing wrong with a film being categorised as such. He explains, "We are not here to teach science or law - that's what colleges are for. I think a filmmaker's job is to entertain. Action, music, dance, romance - yehi mera motto hai. To make a film larger than life, to present a story that isn’t even real and still make it believable for the audience, is not easy."
"Hand pump ukhaada nahi ja sakta, lekin logon ko itna believe karwa dena ki yeh sach hai - yeh aasaan kaam nahi hai, yeh difficult kaam hai. Yeh kaam Manmohan Desai ji karte thay, K Asif ne Mughal-e-Azam mein kiya, Mehboob saheb ne Mother India mein kiya, aur Sippy saheb ne Sholay mein kiya. Yeh bahut mushkil hota hai."
He adds, "We (He and his team) see ourselves as stress-busters. Whether we get validation from certain people or not isn’t important - what matters is the love we get from the audience. My next film, Vanvas, will connect with 600 crore people because every family has those members."
In a recent conversation, he spoke about into what goes into making a mass entertainer.
'Maine kabhi yeh nahi socha ki main scene taaliyon ke liye likh raha hoon'
Whether it’s Gadar, Gadar 2, or The Hero: Love Story of A Spy, Anil Sharma's films have dialogues that stick with audiences years after the credits roll. But according to Sharma, the secret lies in never writing with the audience in mind. “I don't write scenes hoping for applause,” he says.
He says, "The story should carry that emotion. Jab mujhe laga ki kahani mein woh emotion hai jo 600 crore logon tak jaa sakta hai, tab main us kahani mein gaya. Agar aapki kahani mein woh emotion hai, toh woh audience tak zaroor pahunchta hai. Maine kabhi yeh nahi socha ki main scene taaliyon ke liye likh raha hoon. Scene ki requirement aur kahani ki zarurat ke hisaab se hi har scene likha."
Sharma’s films, especially Gadar, have often faced criticism for being overly jingoistic. What does he think about this? He responds, "When I first heard this, I looked up the meaning of jingoism. Main iss desh ka rehne wala hoon, aur apni bhavna ko waisa hi dikhata hoon jaise main sochta hoon. Jo log subtle sochte hain, main unki terah nahi dikhata. Main waise hi film banata hoon jaise ek aam aadmi sochta hai. Na main khud vishesh aadmi hoon, na vishesh logon ke liye film banata hoon. Jo meri film ko jingoistic sochte hain, kripya na dekhein, kyunki yeh film unke liye nahi hai."
'It seems like some directors and actors are making films only for a specific target audience and not entire country'
"When I started making films, even VCRs didn’t exist. When I decided to make Hukumat (1987) with the idea that I was making it for the masses, it became a turning point in my life. Hukumat gave me a tag, and then with Gadar, I got another one,” Anil Sharma shares.
“Now, when I look around, technology has advanced, but somewhere we’ve fallen behind in terms of content. Kahin na kahin kuch gadbad hai - there are so many talented people here, but they aren’t able to work effectively within the system.. Koi unbalance toh hai jiski wajah se filmein utni safal nahi ho pa rahi hain aaj. Last year, we saw some good performances at the box office, but this year things look different."
He continues, "Films are performing only in segments. It seems like some directors and actors are making films only for a specific target audience instead of making film for the entire country. And even when they try to make those films, perhaps the corporate side isn't supporting them. I don’t know exactly why, but the kind of momentum we once had - 10-12 blockbusters a year - isn’t there at present."
Director ko apne actor ke saath fraud nahi karna chahiye
Anil Sharma shares a long-standing relationship with Sunny Deol. What he believes makes the actor-director dynamic work, he says, “Honesty. A director should never deceive their actors by promising one role and delivering something different on set. If I change anything in the role, I always inform them. Director ko apne actor ke saath fraud nahi karna chahiye."
He adds, "Actors are inherently insecure, so, it's better to tell them which actor is doing what scene especially when it is a multi-starrer film. I make sure to tell them - yehi scene hai aur yehi karna hai - and I always have a reason for it. Truth in storytelling and honesty with actors is important."
How was the handpump scene in Gadar written
Recalling how he wrote the iconic handpump scene in Gadar, Anil Sharma says, “Mujhe agar bologe Hindustan murdabad, toh mujhe itna gussa aa raha tha ki mujhe laga building hi utha kar phenk doon. Woh emotion blast hota hai. Building toh nahi phenk sakta tha, fountains nahi phenk sakta tha, aur uss zamane mein hand pumps hote the, toh maine hand pump phenk diya.”
He continues, “We had a two-hour discussion on set about that scene, and shooting was halted because of it. Many people objected to the handpump scene, calling it illogical."
But Sharma managed to convince them. He explains, "Sometimes, an emotion is so overwhelming it consumes a person entirely. Don’t we all feel, at times, that our anger could make us destroy everything physically?”
He adds, “Jab story mein emotion itna hota hai, toh apne aap bomb ki tarah explode karta hai aur audience tak pahunchta hai. Hum emotion la nahi sakte. Emotion ko film mein import nahi kar sakte. Agar emotion andar hai, tabhi woh export hoga.”
'I want to entertain myself and audience with my films and I can never be entertained without music'
Moviegoers don’t just want good stories, they also want songs they can dance to. Sharma explains, “Music of the film is like blood to the body,” underlining that a film cannot stay memorable without music.
“Whether it was Manoj Kumar, Raj Kapoor, K Asif, or Vijay Anand - the kind of films they made had music as the lifeblood of their stories, and I’ve learned from those films. I can’t imagine a film without music, and I can’t make a film without it. I don’t enjoy films that lack music. I want to entertain people through my films, but I also want to entertain myself - and I don’t think I can ever be entertained without music.”
Elements of a mass entertainer
What are the elements of a mass entertainer? Sharma says, "Ultimately, log entertainment ke liye aa rahe hain. Aapse seekhne-samajhne nahi aa rahe hain."
- A story with emotion that resonates with crores of people
- Honesty in storytelling
- Serving truth like medicine coated with sugar
- Entertainment ka tadka, lekin tadka na lage
People said Sunny Deol and I were finished-Anil Sharma
8:38 AM
Though naysayers said Sharma would ruin the charm of Gadar, director says he was certain tale showcasing India-Pakistan love held promise
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; September 4, 2023)
Seated in his palatial Andheri office, Anil Sharma smiles from ear to ear. Congratulatory messages from mediapersons have been greeting him since a few hours now as his latest film, Gadar 2, crossed the coveted Rs 500-crore mark.
The Sunny Deol-starrer is now only the second film to achieve this feat, with its predecessor, Pathaan, also hitting the mark, this year itself. Drawing parallels between the two films is hence, only inevitable.
But, Sharma doesn’t entertain questions on the comparisons. “The industry must walk together,” he says, adding, “When the makers of Barbie and Oppenheimer praised each other, why shouldn’t we do the same? I was happy to hear that Shah Rukh [Khan] loved our film. He has a massy taste. Similarly, I knew that Pathaan would be a hit as soon as I saw the trailer.”
Sharma evidently has his finger on the pulse of cinemagoers—while he had anticipated Pathaan’s success, he was also certain that his drama would “be a blockbuster”, even though few believed that a 22-year old story could be successfully revived.
“Nobody said it to my face, but I learnt of people’s opinions from newspapers, and YouTubers. They’d say, ‘Anil has nothing left to him, except for Gadar’. Or, ‘Sunny Deol is failing, and Anil Sharma is finished. They have aged’. Some also felt that we were tarnishing the image of the first film. But I wanted my work to speak for itself.”
While the first instalment was set in the post-Partition period, and narrated the love story of an Indian Sikh man and a Pakistani Muslim woman, the second part sheds light on the man’s visit to Pakistan to save his child, played by Sharma’s son Utkarsh. The director was certain that people would lap up the father-son relationship drama.
“This story is similar to a chapter from the Mahabharata, where Abhimanyu is trapped in the Chakravyuh. But, in our film, Abhimanyu is rescued by his father. We didn’t design the story contemplating [how much screen time] we should give Utkarsh. We simply went with the flow,” he says, adding that reports of him favouring his son by giving him significant screen time, bothered him.
While the narrative was the actual hero of the film, Sharma says that his decision to showcase the love between India and Pakistan, served him well.
“We neither showed any hatred towards Pakistan, nor indulged in the narrative of the Hindu-Muslim [divide]. We only spoke of love. We haven’t shown unnecessary violence, but chose to depict positive Pakistani characters.”
The reactions from single screen owners made me emotional; they said, ‘Aapne hamari zindagi bachayi hai’-Anil Sharma
8:51 AM
The director is glad that Zee Studios showed immense faith in the film and even upped its budget
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; September 1, 2023)
Anil Sharma is thrilled with the roaring success of his directorial Gadar 2 which hit the theatres over two weeks ago. Talking about the Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel and Utkarsh Sharma-starrer, the filmmaker says, “When Shaktimaan ji (writer Shaktimaan Talwar) narrated the story, I knew that it had the potential to become a blockbuster. I just had to stay focused and be true to the story. After all, a director’s job is to build a bridge from his heart to the audience’s hearts.”
Anil is glad that the makers showed trust in him and accepted his request to nearly double the film’s budget. He elaborates, “When I had a meeting with Zee Studios, they anticipated that the film would make Rs. 100-150 crore at BO, but I told them that this film would earn way beyond that. From the initial Rs. 45 crore budget, they agreed to sanction Rs 60 crore for the shoot. I knew Gadar 2 would bring the audience back to cinema halls.”
‘KUCH LOGON KO LAGA THA KI GADAR 2 KUCH NAHI KAR PAYEGI’
Anil said that the industry did not take Gadar: Ek Prem Katha seriously in 2001, and to everyone’s surprise, the film created history. He shares, “This time, there were a few people who reacted positively, lekin kuch logon ko laga tha ki Gadar 2 kuch nahi kar payegi. There were some who said, ‘Yeh toh sab khatam ho chuke hue log hain.’ People thought this film would just come and disappear from the box office. If Gadar 2 hadn’t clashed with any other film at the box office, then I am sure it would have clocked even higher numbers than it already has.”
‘THIS FILM AWAKENS THE PATRIOTISM IN YOU’
Sharma is also happy with the way the fraternity has reacted to the film. “Industry folks like Karan Johar, Shah Rukh Khan sir, Salman Khan bhai and many others congratulated and appreciated our work. I am also touched by the audience’s reactions. They have said things like, ‘This is a very saaf-suthri film which can be watched with your entire family’ and ‘this film awakens the patriotism in you’. The reactions from the single screen owners made me emotional, some of them said, ‘Aapne hamari zindagi bachayi hai.’”
Aamir Khan acknowledged that Gadar was at least three times bigger than Lagaan-Anil Sharma
7:58 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; August 12, 2023)
It’s the season of sequels in Bollywood and Hollywood. Twenty-two years after Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, the original cast – Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel and Utkarsh Sharma – reunite in Gadar 2. Filmmaker Anil Sharma talks about why he decided to make the film after over two decades and the huge expectations from Gadar 2. Excerpts:
‘Gadar was a huge brand, but I didn’t want to cash in on it’
Anil says, “It’s the season of sequels. Everyone is making one, and Gadar was a huge brand to cash in on commercially, but that was never my objective. I didn’t want to simply resurrect a brand just for commercial purposes, unless I had a genuine story to tell that warranted a sequel. I was intrigued by the future of Tara Singh’s family. ‘Uske parivaar ka aage kya hua?’, this question hounded me. Writer Shaktimaan Talwar, who wrote the previous film, came back to me with a story that deserved to be made. That’s how Gadar 2 happened.”
Despite the immense success of the first film, the director has released himself from the clutches of expectations. “I am not the kind to put myself under this pressure. Both these films are people’s films; they will decide Gadar 2’s fate.”
‘Aamir acknowledged that Gadar was at least three times bigger than Lagaan’
Speaking of comparison, who can forget Gadar’s epic clash with Aamir Khan-starrer Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India when it was released on the same day in 2001. Lagaan went on to win an Oscar nomination, and Gadar set new box-office records.
On his film’s 20th anniversary, Aamir had said, “If Lagaan was even one per cent less of a film, we would not have stood a chance.” Sharma reminisced, “Aamir was kind enough to say and acknowledge that Gadar was at least three times bigger than Lagaan.”
‘Gadar was a story about love transcending borders’
Along with the success, Gadar also met with its share of criticism. The director says, “I don’t remember my film getting great reviews from critics. Logon ne meri picture ko chalaya hai because they could emotionally connect with it. It was a story about a family and love transcending borders. I hope the audience is able to feel for the characters and their story once again. Sunny Deol is one of our finest actors. I have closely worked with him and the Deol family, they are nice people and that reflects in their performances as well. It was also nice to have Ameesha (as Sakeena) and my son Utkarsh back.”
‘We wanted Udit Narayan to reprise Udd jaa Kaale Kaava in Gadar 2’
Gadar’s music continues to be a roaring success. Uttam Singh’s iconic composition Udd jaa Kaale Kaava has been recreated and sung by Udit Narayan. Sharma says, “We have retained two songs from the original and Mithoon has done a brilliant job on the new album and reprising the old melodies. We wanted Udit to reprise the song. Film industry sabko bahut jaldi bhool jaati hai. I know that’s how new talent gets a chance and that’s fine. I am not averse to new people, but I don’t believe in overlooking someone only because he has been around for 40 years. He was the perfect choice.”
Twenty years after Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, Sunny Deol and Anil Sharma reunite for Gadar 2
8:28 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; October 15, 2021)
In 2001, when Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, backed by Zee Studios, released, no one had imagined it would set the cash registers ringing then. The film, headlined by Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel, ran to packed houses for weeks. And now, 20 years later, Sunny and director Anil Sharma, who helmed the original, are gearing up to start shooting its sequel. The duo spoke to BT about their plans and what propelled them to begin Gadar 2 two decades later. Excerpts:
For the longest time, people had been waiting to hear some news about Gadar 2. That day seems to have finally arrived...
Sunny: For years, Sharma ji (director Anil Sharma) and I would always chat about how we could take the story forward and do it without damaging the legacy of the first outing. We both want to make the sequel better than the first part. Today, when we are ready to embark on this new journey, we just hope ki yeh film Gadar: Ek Prem Katha ke takkar ki ho, if not better. For years, Sharma ji and writer Shaktimaan kept toying with ideas, which they would discuss with me, and finally we found something that sounded apt to take Tara Singh and his family’s story ahead.
Anil: I was under tremendous pressure for the last two decades to make a sequel to Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. People from all over the country and writers of every age and experience bracket have shared stories with me for this sequel. Two years ago, during Navratri, writer Shaktimaan came home, and said that he had an idea for Gadar 2. Sunny saab would often ask me Gadar 2 kaise banegi. Duniya ka sabse mushkil kaam hai inko convince karna. When I told him the idea we had for Gadar 2, his eyes were moist. And that is when I knew that this is the story that will work for him. We’re making this film with the same honesty and truthfulness with which we made the first film. We have to see where Tara Singh’s life goes from the point where we left it 20 years ago.
It’s been over 20 years since Gadar: Ek Prem Katha released, what were your experiences at that time while making the film?
Sunny: I work on what I instinctively like. When we met and discussed Gadar, I felt I could work with Sharma ji, and since then, we have always tried to find something to team up for. With Gadar, we knew we had a good, solid story. Yes, I had no clue what life in 1947 looked like. I was doing action films at that time, and in this film, I was playing a sarangi and singing love songs. I believe that it’s the story that gives birth to characters. You have to go with the character’s feelings, which creates an imagery for the actor. The deeper you go into the character, the sharper the imagery.
Anil: It was a life-changing experience for me. I was fortunate to have a great team and hardworking actors like Ameesha and Sunny saab by my side. Zee Studios stood by us, they believed in our film.
Not only did the film clock in big numbers at the box office, but many of its punchlines are remembered even today. Aren’t you a little nervous that sooner or later the pressure to match it will build up?
Anil: We are starting the sequel after careful considerations. Humein pata hai ki ek cult film ke saath chhed-chhad nahi ki jaati. Gadar belongs to everyone and we can’t make a sequel that lacks the qualities of the first film. We have to and we will do our best to take the story forward and keep the legacy of the film alive in every way possible.
Sunny: I will do my best to go back into Tara Singh’s world and capture those emotions again. It has been 20 years. Rarely do these things happen to an actor. I don’t believe in preparation. The moment I have given the nod to a film, my mind starts preparing for the role. If something does not work, one can always sit together with the team and find a solution. When I am on a shoot, I lose myself to the story, character and period. The rest will sort itself out.
Lastly, in the past 20 years, the audience has changed a lot and so have the relations between India and Pakistan. Did you feel the need to keep India-Pakistan’s current equation in mind while planning Gadar 2?
Sunny: I think one narrates a story with emotions that feel correct. Patriotism will be patriotism, haan, jatane ka andaaz kuch badal gaya hai. Cinema today has somewhat stopped delivering a package of emotions to the audience. There is a reason South Indian films that are dubbed in Hindi are loved by the audience. They’re so close to their roots and stay true to the emotional context of the story. Our film was not made thinking about the sentiments between India and Pakistan, and how the audience will react to a period film like ours.
Anil: Gadar had a solid footfall. The audience, which was very young then, is all grown up today and is eagerly awaiting the next outing. Back then, we didn’t know how people would react to a period story set in 1947. Today, we don’t know what they will make of the period that we’re entering with the sequel. We trusted the audience then, and we trust them today, too.
Gadar 2, produced by Zee Studios and Anil Sharma Productions, features Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel and Utkarsh Sharma. Mithoon will compose the music of the film.
I can make Gadar without any changes today, and it will be a bigger success-Anil Sharma
8:19 AM
With Sunny Deol’s Gadar clocking 20 years, director says movie was inspired by Indian epic, making it relevant even today
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; June 14, 2021)
From the song, Main nikla gaddi leke to the scene where Sunny Deol uproots a hand-pump in a fit of rage, viewers couldn’t get enough of 'Gadar: Ek Prem Katha' on its release in 2001. Some may argue that the Hindi film industry’s creative sensibilities have changed dramatically since then. But as the Deol and Ameesha Patel-starrer clocks 20 years on June 15, director Anil Sharma believes the film is relevant in this age. “I can make the film without any changes today, and it will be a bigger success. It’s a realistic film, and the youth will connect with it. If you ask me, 'Gadar' has elements of the Ramayana. [In the epic], Lord Ram went to Lanka to get Sita; we have followed a similar plot in our film, which is why we identify with the story even after all these years.”
At the box-office, the drama had clashed with Aamir Khan’s ambitious 'Lagaan' (2001), which went on to be nominated at the Oscars for the Best Foreign Language Film. Despite locking horns, the two films had held their own, becoming the year’s biggest blockbusters. “So many people watched Lagaan and Gadar the same day, one after the other,” remembers Sharma, whose film will air on Zee Bollywood.
Over the past few years, there has been chatter about a sequel to 'Gadar'. The director says they are trying to develop a fitting plot. “The day I crack the right plot that will offer a combination of drama and realism, I will start working on the sequel. My son Utkarsh, who played Sunny’s son Jeeta in the film, has grown up, so there is scope for a second instalment.”
Theatres will open only after a few months. So what is the point in completing a movie now?-Anil Sharma
8:16 AM
Sunny, Sharma, Bobby, and Dharmendra on the set of Apne, filmed 13 years ago
Apne 2 director Anil Sharma defers April shooting schedule amid soaring cases as Dharmendra’s safety is his priority; eyes London leg in July
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; April 16, 2021)
Anticipation around the next edition of Apne, —13 years after the Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby Deol starrer hit cinema halls — has been growing ever since news of the development hit headlines. Director Anil Sharma, who was to start filming in the month of March, is now eyeing a schedule in London, where a certain extent of normalcy has been restored.
“How can we release it in Diwali when we have not begun shooting for the movie? What can we do when cases are on the rise and we need a large unit? It’s impossible,” says Sharma, addressing the initial plan to release the film this year. “We were to shoot across Punjab, but now we are planning to begin the first schedule in London in July, if things get better. I have not stepped out my home, choosing instead to fine-tune my scripts, with my actors.”
With each day presenting a new set of restrictions, he admits that decisions about filming can no longer be made in advance. “We will take another call after May 15. We have not even done a recce in London because we are not getting visas. If we begin to shoot in London, it will be over a 45-day schedule. Then we will return to Punjab and Mumbai.”
Considering the current circumstances, he admits that the decision to impose restrictions is ideal, and that film-making can be postponed till the situation is favourable. “Theatres will open only after a few months. So what is the point in completing a movie now? One’s health is of utmost importance. I know so many who have contracted the virus. The next two weeks are crucial for all of us. We have to be careful about his [Dharmendra’s] safety and health. It’s not important for Apne 2 to release in Diwali. What is important is that everybody stays healthy.”
Nepotism is that tiny black stain on this industry that we have blown out of proportion-Anil Sharma
7:30 AM
Pallabi Purkayastha (BOMBAY TIMES; August 21, 2018)
Almost two decades later, he’s still identified as the director of the iconic Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. Anil Sharma is now set to launch his son Utkarsh, who played Sunny Deol’s son in Gadar, in the action thriller Genius. In an interview with BT, Sharma stresses upon the importance of telling stories that are raw and real. He also explains why his movies are a reflection of his personality and why he loathes people who tarnish the reputation of this industry with debates like nepotism. Excerpts...
How did you zero in on a concept like Genius to launch your son Utkarsh in Bollywood?
I did not write this film for Utkarsh. I was in the US, holidaying for months and then I thought it’s high time I made a film. I decided to make something that would revolve around the youth. Somehow, the word ‘genius’ came to my mind and I thought let’s go and register the title first. Usually, we think of a genius as someone who is a little offbeat, like someone who has long hair, at least that’s the picture that Hollywood has painted for us. But genius is not essentially someone who has invented something. Genius toh woh hai joh life ki har ladai ladta hai. Any individual, and there are millions of them, who fights for his survival and emerges victorious is a genius and my story is about that. Whenever I make films, I keep my country in mind. I don’t try to inculcate that in me; it is innate and that’s what (a sense of patriotism) reflects in my films. Jaisa hoon, waise hi filmein banaunga.
And my biggest problem is that I have never remade films because I just cannot do that. I have never lifted any story, not even a single song, because I have come to this industry not to copy others but to narrate my own stories. People adapt great stories; nothing wrong with that, but I cannot bring myself to do the same. In fact, Godfather (1972) was an adaptation and so were 3 Idiots (2009) and Mother India (1957). But, when I try to do that, my heart doesn’t permit it. I tell myself, ‘Nahin yaar… main apni kuchh kahaani banauga’. Achhi hai, buri hai, jaisi bhi hai, meri hai.
Since you mentioned adaptations, what’s your take on sequels? Have you ever contemplated making a sequel to Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001)?
I have no issues with sequels. In fact, if things go fine, I will make a sequel of Genius, as I have already thought about making a trilogy out of this. But whenever I think of making a sequel to Gadar, I think about stories but end up getting stuck in the creative process. When a film becomes a mega hit, the story of its sequel has to be just as hard-hitting. There’s a reason why iconic hits like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) don’t have sequels. If you have already finished the story in the first movie, then the second part looks fake and forced.
When did you decide that you would launch Utkarsh in Bollywood?
As a father, it was my responsibility to launch my son and when I went to his university in the US and saw him bag an award for his short film I thought about giving him his first break. He assured me that he was ready for it and that’s when I thought I would make Genius for him, once he comes back to India.
How did you cast Nawazuddin Siddiqui?
This story is about two geniuses. One is played by Utkarsh and the other by Nawaz. In the film, there is a five to six minute monologue, which is a brilliant scene where the character tells the story of his entire life with the help of just his facial expressions. Whenever I thought about that scene, I could only imagine Nawazuddin Siddiqui doing justice to it.
Although Gadar is cult classic, some people have accused you of having a jingoistic approach towards writing your films. What do you have to say about that?
(Laughs!) See, even Krishna and Lord Rama were not spared and I am just a human being. Trolling people has become a common occurrence these days and a daily habit. Internet pe baitho aur kuch bhi ulta seedha bolo, purane zamane main bhi yahin hota tha.
A few days back you commented on the nepotism debate, where you said something to the effect of, ‘we’ll ask this question to Kangana Ranaut, when she has her own kids’. You went on to add that she got work in this industry despite being an outsider. What is your opinion on this entire discussion?
I wasn’t upset, I was asked a question and so I answered. Maine mazaak main bol diya tha. Nepotism is that tiny black stain on this industry that we have blown out of proportion. When I started making films, do you think I did not struggle? Those who talk about nepotism, came from small towns and villages and still made it big in showbiz, right? Ours is the only industry that gives you a chance solely on the basis of your talent. Actors have to face the camera and filmmakers have to run a thousand errands behind it. You have to do it all, by yourself. Acting is a profession where you cannot survive without talent. There are so many filmmakers whose kids have not been able to make it in the industry, because they had no or very little talent. Likewise, there are so many kids from outside who have made it big in the industry by virtue of their talent alone.
When an established filmmaker like you launches their son in a big production, does that fan the nepotism debate even more?
In Genius, I have given 18-year-old Ishita Chauhan a break. She has no godfather in the industry but she still got work right? How did she get it? Agar koi ladki bolti hain ki nepotism ke wajah se role milta hain, toh yahaan kahaan nepotism hain? I have launched seven to eight actresses – from Priyanka Chopra to Urvashi Rautela and Divya Khosla ji too. They had no one in the industry but they still got to work because they had the talent. If you have it in you, you will rise and shine. Faltu log jinke paas time hain, yah joh log bematlab ki publicity chahte hain, woh iss tarah ki baatein karte hain.
I haven’t cracked story for Gadar 2 but Apne 2 is on-Anil Sharma
8:09 AM
Anil Sharma on reuniting with the Deols and launching son Utkarsh in his next directorial
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 17, 2018)
In a recent interview to Mirror (August 15), Dharmendra had revealed that Anil Sharma has found an interesting subject for the sequel of their 2007 sports drama Apne. The filmmaker confirms this, saying Apne 2 with the veteran actor and his sons, Sunny and Bobby, is on track, with Dharmendra having liked the script.
“I will concentrate on it fully after the release of (son Utkarsh’s acting debut) Genius. Everyone tells me to make Gadar 2 and Apne 2 but making sequels of highly appreciated films is challenging. I haven’t cracked the story of Gadar 2 yet but Apne 2 is on,” Anil informs, happy about the revival of sports dramas in Bollywood. “Apne was the first-of-its-kind at the time and many discouraged me from making a film on boxing. I’m happy that times have changed now.”
In the run-up to his son’s big day, the filmmaker harks back to when he’d discovered Utkarsh’s inclination towards filmmaking. “He acted in Gadar as a child and would contribute to my script but I wanted him to get an engineering degree first, as cinema is a fickle profession,” he reasons.
But, seeing his dogged pursuit of the medium, Anil sent his son to the US to learn filmmaking. “On his last day of college, I watched the short film that he had directed and I knew he was ready to be launched,” the filmmaker recounts, adding that he had a similar conflict with his parents, who’d wanted him to become a doctor.
He goes on to reveal that he hadn’t started writing Genius with Utkarsh in mind. “My protagonist grows from a teenager to becoming a RAW agent and I had a few names in mind. Later, I wondered how to justify the age span with a 30-something actor, everyone is not Aamir Khan, who can pass off as a student in 3 Idiots, so then I decided on a new face. By the time I was ready with the script, I knew it had to be Utkarsh,” he says.
He’s all praise for the film’s other leads, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Mithun Chakraborty. “There is no hero or a villain in my film, only two geniuses, one played by Utkarsh, the other super genius by Nawaz, and the story revolves around their conflict. Nawaz being a great actor himself has only enhanced Utkarsh’s performance. Mithun da only wanted to know the story to make sure that I was giving Utkarsh the best launch. He is like family,” adds Anil.
He isn’t too worried about Genius clashing with the Sonakshi Sinha and Jassie Gill-starrer Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi. “The audience has always given us a lot of love and I’m sure they will do so this time as well. Competition has always been around, Gadar clashed with Aamir’s Lagaan on June 15, 2001, while my first film, Shradhanjali, was released alongside seven other films on November 6, 1981. I wish everyone does well,” he says.
Actor mehnat se star banta hai, Utkarsh will earn his stardom-Anil Sharma
7:58 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (May 23, 2017)
Yet another industry kid is
gearing up to enter Bollywood. Filmmaker Anil Sharma's son Utkarsh Sharma
will make his debut with the romantic entertainer, Genius. The movie,
launched yesterday on Utkarsh's birthday , is directed by Anil, who
has earlier helmed films like Hukumat (1987), Gadar Ek Prem Katha
(2001) and Hero - Love Story Of A Spy (2003). In an exclusive chat t
with BT, the film maker said, “Utkarsh was loved
as Jeete (Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel's son in Gadar). When the film
plays on satellite TV today, people praise him. He's grown up now, has
trained in a film school and I'm proud to present him as a new actor to
the world.“ Here are excerpts from the conversation...It's been a while since you announced your son's launch...
Yes, I started scripting it in 2015. Genius is an entertaining and intelligent love story and so, we didn't want any buffoonery in it. 'Dil ki ladaai dimaag se' is the tagline of the movie. I hope people who loved Utkarsh as Jeete in Gadar will love him in Genius as well.
It takes a lot of training to make a debut. Utkarsh, we are sure, has prepped hard...
Utkarsh trained in a reputed film school in the US, where he did a three-year course. In his final year, all 40 students were asked to showcase their films, and he was the 40th. When his 10-minute film played on screen, it was a very proud moment for me.
Having studied abroad, will it be tough for him to adapt to Bollywood style of acting?
Acting acting hoti hai, there is no different style. While watching Ganga Jumna (1961) the other day, Utkarsh spoke about how Dilip Kumar saab didn't seem out of character for even one bit. Hamare actors hamesha se badiya rahe hain; like Dilip saab, Raj Kapoor saab, Balraj Sahni, Motilal, Dev Anand saab, Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan. Performance is living the character.
You are known for helming patriotic films, but your son's debut will see you attempting a new genre..
I don't think I have become any different as a director. Kya likhega aadmi, kya dum hai uski syahi mein, haalaat ne jo chotein di, shabdon mein ubhar aayi hain. Jo aadmi jaisa hai, waisa cinema banayega. I'm from Mathura, so dharti, desh, log, all these emotions will reflect in my films. My movies are for family audiences. Talking about Genius, Utkarsh also gave his inputs, but insisted I handle the writing part. Mithun Chakraborty plays a pivotal role in the film.
With many industry kids making their debuts, are you stressed about the competition?
The only pressure was to come up with a good script. I had announced the film, but the script was not ready. But once that was completed, we were confident. If you have a strong script, actors, production, distribution etc will automatically fall in place.
DoesUtkarsh's role see him as a romantic actor? Or, do you want him to establish him self in one genre before exploring others?
Utkarsh's character in this film portrays a lot of variations. It's not often that a new actor gets to do everything. Pita ke launch karne se koi star nahin banta, bahut dekhein hain. Actor apni mehnat se star banta hai, Utkarsh too will earn his stardom. He is dedicated, focused, hard-working and humble. Dekhte hain Gadar ka Jeete Genius ban ke kya karta hai. Aasmaan toh bahut aage hai, abhi to panchhi ne sirf par khole hain.
I'm excited to launch my son Utkarsh in Genius-Anil Sharma
7:57 AM
Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; July 14, 2016)
Why were you keen that your son's film career begins on July 14?
This date is important because many years ago, my father, KC Sharma, launched me as a director on this day. My daughter, Kairvina, was also born on the same day. When I decided to launch Utkarsh, my family suggested that we should start shooting on July 14. However, there wasn't enough time to prepare as he returned to Mumbai after completing his training only in April, so we thought of announcing the film today. I'm planning to start shooting in November.
Having worked with big stars in the past, what makes you confident about Utkarsh?I noticed his potential when I had screen-tested him for Gadar and was impressed with the way he enacted the scene. In fact, I wasn't even considering him till the crew and Ameesha suggested that I cast him. Initially, I was reluctant but when I offered Utkarsh the part after discussing it with my wife, Suman, he refused. Finally, when she asked him if he would help me as I wasn't getting the right child actor for the role, he agreed. He was good in studies and later, he enrolled in an institute in US to study filmmaking. He also trained at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute for about a year. His strength lies in his sincerity and originality with which he thinks of enacting his scenes.
Since you've made a number of action films, will this also belong to the same genre?
Genius is different from all that I've made before. It's a story of a guy with high IQ. Dil ki ladaai, dimaag se is how I'd sum up the story for now. I'm looking at casting a fresh face opposite him in this movie.
What is the secret of your long innings in the industry?
I've never considered filmmaking as work. I'm excited about it as each day is a new day for me and I have a different story to tell. At the same time, I want people to enjoy my movies. I want them to feel that each film is worth the price of the ticket; I don't want them to feel cheated.
Gadar - Ek Prem Katha is your biggest hit till date. How do you look back at the journey?
Every aspect about it made it a wonderful experience. From the writers to the actors, producers and various crew members, all of them were affectionate. I'm grateful to God for making it such a huge success.
You're one of the few directors to launch seven new actresses. You must be feeling proud to see Priyanka Chopra, who debuted in The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, make it so big internationally?
Priyanka was extremely dedicated while shooting for Hero... I'm fortunate that I got the opportunity to direct her in her Hindi debut. I won't say I launched seven actresses, but yes, I did enjoy working with them.
Lastly, what have you learnt from your father that you wish your son imbibes from you?
I was in my early 20s and was excited to get Raakheeji on board for my directorial debut, Shradhanjali. I told my father that I was planning to start shooting on July 14. When he came from Mathura to Mumbai with some savings, he didn't have too much, yet he backed my plans and raised Rs 10-20 lakh for my film. Having worked with superstars, I tell my son that initial success is temporary and one hit won't make him a star. He has to deliver 10 hits to earn stardom. My family is here today only because of my father's strength, willpower and determination. I hope Utkarsh has the determination to become more successful than me.
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