Two of Ajay Devgn’s productions — The Big Bull and Tribhanga — have already premiered on OTT platforms amid the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and both received good response, too. Clearly, the actor-producer believes in the potential of the web space.

However, he’s someone who has been a quintessential big screen hero all his life, and also owns a theatre chain. How does he look at the face-off between OTT platforms and theatres in the future, when the Coronavirus situation gets better? Will he make it a point that each of his film gets a theatrical release only?

“Cinema, at least the kind that I’m doing, has just one destination — a theatre near you. I want the films I’m doing to be enjoyed on the big screen. I cannot debate on the merits of cinema halls versus OTT platforms, because the reality is that both will coexist,” admits the De De Pyaar De (2019) actor.

The 52-year-old goes on to add that of course he wants theatres to retain the importance they hold, both for the actors and audiences.

“As the owner of a theatre chain, I want cinemas to flourish. I want my staff to have employment and be happy, though what I want may be different from the reality. So, one can only hope and pray that we come back to a pre-Covid phase, where we had no tough choices to make,” says Devgn, who has been in the film business for three decades now, and has cemented himself as one of the most popular actors.

From quirky comedies such as the Golmaal franchise, to intense dramas like Omkara (2006) and hit actioners like the Singham series, the superstar has never really stuck to any one genre.

And he calls it a “well thought of strategy” that he never wanted any one image for himself.

He tells us, “I’ve been like this from the start of my career. I jumped from commercial to middle-of-the-road cinema, from art-house films to over-the-top comedies. If you’re an actor, you must go through the entire gamut. And, there’s not one kind of cinema that I enjoy. Every genre has takers.”

Even now, a variety of films including Maidaan, MayDay and Thank God feature on his upcoming list. Besides full-fledged projects, Devgn would also be seen making special appearances in Gangubai Kathiawadi, RRR and Sooryavanshi.

The actor continues, “Forget the past, what I’m doing now is also a mixed bag. Maidaan is a biopic with a football-backdrop, MayDay is an aviation thriller. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next instalment of Singham. And, when Golmaal happens, once again, there’ll be a mad hatter’s party, as we know franchises like Singham and Golmaal have their ever-so-faithful audience.”

Tusshar Kapoor on giving Bollywood a second shot and not being restricted to the comedy genre
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; July 14, 2019)

He is there, yet not there in Bollywood's scheme of things. Last seen in Golmaal Again (2017), Tusshar Kapoor's appearances on the big screen have been few of late. He recently took the digital route with sister Ekta Kapoor's ALT Balaji web show, Booo… Sabki Phategi.

Kapoor says his absence from the big screen is not his doing. "I signed several films, but they never took off. There are a lot of factors at play and often an actor can do nothing about it. In one instance, the film was about to roll when certain issues cropped up just a day prior."

Big Decision
Kapoor who became a dad to a baby boy, Laksshya, via surrogacy in 2016 says, "People think I have cut down on work because of fatherhood. But that's not the case. I am open to doing all kinds of films." Being part of the Golmaal franchise, the actor says there is this thought that he can only do similar roles. "But I have also done films like Khakee (2004) and Shootout At Lokhandwala (2007). In fact, my best performances have been the non-comedy roles."

About his digital debut, he says, "Ekta had been talking to me, about two years ago, to be part of one of ALT Balaji's web shows. At that time, I didn't know how the digital world would pan out. Last year, when writer-director Farhad Samji was working on Baby Come Naa, he bounced off the idea to me. I was the last to come on board on the show. I am enjoying the new platform. It can reach out to so many more people out there."

Booo… Sabki Phategi, which sees Mallika Sherawat as co-star, is a horror comedy. "It is filmi masala stuff. There are some amazing things being made on the web, but most of it is dark and grim. Everyone wants it to be another version of what is being made abroad."

Similar Approach
Kapoor does not find any difference shooting for a web show and a film. "It is the same challenge of getting your act together. The grammar is the same, we shoot it like a film, and not as an episodic."

What also helped Kapoor was that he had worked with co-stars Krushna Abhishek, Sanjay Mishra and Kiku Sharda earlier. "Nowadays there is a lot of relatively new talent on the web, if I was acting with people I did not know, we would have to organise workshops first to find the comfort levels."

There is talk about a new season of Booo… Sabki Phategi but he cautions, "It is too early to talk about it. The show can keep running as long as people like to watch it. The audience appreciates humour, and it can lend itself to a franchise."

Spending Time
As he has been away from the big screen, it has given Kapoor ample time to be with Laksshya. "I am a hands-on father. I make sure I am around whenever he needs me."

Kapoor is in no hurry to tell his tot about his profession and the starry trappings. "I have kept him away from Bollywood. I don't want him to see my films, at least for now. My mother showed him the Aankh Marey song from Simmba (2018) in which I featured. He then quipped, "Yeh toh Aankh Marey ke papa hain'. I prefer he watches kiddie stuff like cartoons and films made for kids. I will not sit down and tell him who I am. If he learns about it from others, then perhaps I will have to."

Kapoor cites an example how Laksshya prefers to do his own thing. "Recently, I was in Film City and told him to come over, but he preferred to be in the play area of an Andheri mall." And Kapoor would like it this way.

Franchise Talk
There has been talk of another outing of Golmaal, the franchise he is best known for. "Director Rohit Shetty can answer this but I hope there is an outing soon. Everyone rememebers my character in the comedy. It is fun. Now Golmaal has gone to another level. Like everyone even I am waiting for it."

Wearing The Producer’s Hat
Though sister Ekta and mother Shobha Kapoor have been producing television, films and web content under the Balaji Telefilms banner, Tusshar Kapoor steered cleared of it. The actor has now floated his own banner, Tusshar Entertainment House. His first project is the Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani-starrer Laxmmi Bomb. Designer-turned-filmmaker Shabinaa Khan is co-producer. The horror comedy is a remake of Raghava Lawrence’s Tamil film Kanchana (2011). "This is my independent foray into filmmaking," he says. The film was mired in controversy when Lawrence walked out of the project citing creative differences. "I will keep mum about it," says Kapoor.

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; July 11, 2019)

After a spate of comedy films like Mastizaade (2016), Kyaa Kool Hai Hum 3 (2016) and Golmaal Again (2017), Tusshar is all set to do a thriller next. “I will be working on something that is out of my comfort zone. It will be a dark film with me playing an intense, grey character. I loved the script, it will be directed by a newcomer, Dhruv,” reveals the actor, who is known for his comic timing.

INTENSE ROLES, TOO
It’s not as if the Golmaal actor has only done comedies — he has portrayed intense characters in Kucch Toh Hai (2003), Gayab (2004) and Shootout At Lokhandwala (2007), to name a few, but it is with the Golmaal franchise that Tusshar gained popularity.

Is that why people approach him for comedies? “I don’t know. I have had more hits outside comedy. I have done films like Shor In The City (2011), the Shootout series, and Khakee (2004), which are not in the comic space, but Golmaal and my character made an impact and became a brand. I am grateful for that. People associate me with it and that’s why think that I like to do more in that genre. Here, you are known by what kind of impact you have made in the last film,” muses the actor.

SHOWING VERSATILITY
Does he feel that it has worked against him? “Not at all. Kids know me for Golmaal and I am happy about it. You are branded with a character, but that’s part of this profession. It gives you an identity and you get that love. If you’ve made your mark for a certain character, you’ve made a place in the hearts and minds of people. I am just keeping my fingers crossed and waiting for opportunities to show my versatility,” says Tusshar, who recently made his digital debut with the horror-comedy Booo Sabki Phategi. 

RESPONSE TO HIS DIGITAL DEBUT
While the web series got mixed reviews, the actor says that he has got a good response. “We have met our target. It was made for the masses who like mad comedies and they have loved it. Right now, there are a lot of web series that deal with realism, are on the dark side or educate. With Boo... we wanted to do something light and funny. And, it is doing well in that genre. There have been a couple of reviews that were not encouraging but I guess they don’t like comedies,” he shrugs.

CHALLENGES OF A HORROR-COMEDY
The actor, in fact, is also making his debut as a producer with a film in his favourite genre, the horror-comedy. He is co-producing Laxmmi Bomb, which is a remake of Tamil hit Kanchana 2. “Booo Sabki Phategi was more comedy than horror while Laxmmi Bomb will be more horror than comedy. In a horror-comedy people either find it too scary, or too funny. The challenge is to balance between the two and stop analysing,” he says.

While Akshay Kumar plays the lead in the film, Tusshar is not acting in it. “I didn’t want to be a part of it. I wanted my first film with someone else as I want to establish myself as a producer first,” he states.

SEQUEL TO BOO SABKI PHATEGI?
To the query on any plans of doing another web series, Tusshar says there is nothing in the pipeline.  “Hopefully there will be a sequel to Booo Sabki Phategi,” he smiles. What about Golmaal 5? “I have been hearing about it, but Rohit (Shetty, director) will be the best person to answer that,” he signs off.

Sometimes, the essence of a film can be boiled down to a single scene. And, that's the scene Basundhara Ghosh highlights on her Insta page
Ekta Mohta (MID-DAY; June 9, 2019)

When Basundhara Ghosh moved away from home, she became more attached to it. It's a stereotype from every emigrant movie, from Swades to the second half of K3G, but stereotypes are based on truths. Currently pursuing her PhD in theoretical physics from the University of Geneva, Ghosh, 27, runs a passion project called Gangs Of Cinepur. It's an Instagram page, launched in November last year, on which she freeze-frames one scene from a movie with its subtitled dialogue, and offers her take on it.

"My day involves trying to understand the cosmos a little better, so movies are my biggest mode of relaxation," she says, over email. Her captions are quite lengthy. Because Murad's feelings for Safeena (in Gully Boy) can be as hard to understand as the mysteries of the universe. "When I write a caption, I often get to revisit and ponder over valuable life lessons. For example, a dialogue from the Malayalam movie Njan Prakashan reminded me about the importance of gratitude and not taking life for granted."

In fact, it is south Indian cinema that inspired her to start this account. "I grew up watching Hrishikesh Mukherjee and William Wyler films. Over the years, I have developed a wide interest in cinema. I had just started exploring Malayalam cinema, when I was blown away by its content. I had not been to south India until very recently, but through the movies, I already [felt a sense of belonging]."

Ghosh watches nearly one movie a day, and her taste is quite diverse, as reflected in her posts. She treats the original Golmaal with the same respect as Break Ke Baad (2010); finds similarities between Apu from Apur Sansar (1959) and Murad from Gully Boy; her post on Ship of Theseus (2013) followed her post on Kuch Naa Kaho (2003). "While it is important that we appreciate quality cinema, there are always some films that we go back to because of nostalgia. I value sentimental attachment to films, which go beyond technical brilliance. Apart from highlighting critically-acclaimed films, I also include those that hold a special place in my heart because of unexplained reasons: be it a touching story, a memorable soundtrack, or an actor I love."

Her analyses are appreciated by 7.3K readers, and have found an audience in the makers as well. "Both my posts on Photograph were shared on her stories by Sanya Malhotra, and director Vasan Bala shared my post on Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota. Even Srishti Behl Arya, [from Netflix India], personally messaged me." If films can teach you about life, film criticism has taught her about film. "My respect for actors, filmmakers, writers and cinematographers has grown immensely, and I have started watching more cinema-related videos. There is a lot of talent in India waiting to be tapped by the right people."

The page is her way of maintaining ties with India. As she says, "After I moved abroad, I started re-exploring my roots and my culture, especially beyond my own state. For an amazingly diverse country like India, there can never be a shortage of novelty that cinema offers. I would like to request any cinema lover who is reading this to allow their interests to go beyond popular Bollywood movies. There are gems out there that will take your breath away." Her page has a few recommendations to get you started.

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; May 3, 2019)

Though Aftab Shivdasani and Shreyas Talpade have been a part of many comedies, their next outing, Setters, is based on the malpractices in the education system. While Shreyas plays a setter responsible for the criminal practices, Aftab essays the role of a cop who wants to bust the scam. In a candid chat with Bombay Times, the two spoke about being stereotyped as comic actors and dealing with social media. Excerpts:

Over the years, you both have been stereotyped as actors who are best suited for multi-starrer comedies. Setters being a crime thriller must have been refreshing.
Shreyas: People have almost forgotten that I started my career with films like Iqbal and Dor. They were serious films. Over a period of time, our association with comedies became really strong. After solely doing comedies for the past few years, I am glad I am doing something like this. I was pleasantly surprised when I was offered a subject and a role with grey shades. Every actor has an urge to do something else, reinvent himself and films like these give you that opportunity. People’s expectations from us are films like Masti, Grand Masti and Golmaal, so getting a serious film was refreshing. We have tried to play our parts with utmost sincerity and I hope that comes across.
Aftab: What Shreyas said is true for me as well. I started off with Mast and Kasoor and was appreciated for them. Then I did some love stories and comedies like Awara Paagal Deewana, Hungama and Masti, and people suddenly started identifying me with those genres. Yes, stereotyping happens to a certain extent. There is a perception that guys like Shreyas and I are more suitable for comedy films. Both of us were trying to find something that’s lucrative and substantial. You need a good script and a director to project you the right way. We hope we get accepted in a film like Setters, which will open the doors to more films like these. Also, it works both ways; a lot of actors, who are known for serious roles, don’t get offered comedies either.

What is Setters all about?
Shreyas: Setters is based on education and employment mafia. I think all of us have heard about this when we were in school or college…someone selling a question paper for a certain price. I had a perception that these leaks happen at a local level and maybe four-five people are involved in it. When I read the story, I told Ashwini (director Ashwini Chaudhary) that it’s quite an imagination and he corrected me by saying, this really happens. A massive mafia is involved in this. It’s structured and organised, comprising educated and tech-savvy people, who know how to crack the legal system. I am the ‘setter’ here, who’s a bad guy.
Aftab: I am the good guy, a cop, who is after this ‘setter’. It’s a cat-and-mouse game, more like catch-me-if-you-can. The story is about oneupmanship. We both have to be on top of our game to outdo each other. The kind of gadgets and technology the setters use are advanced, so, as someone in charge of security, we have to be one step ahead of them.
Shreyas: There’s no preaching here. It’s an entertainer based on a concept that’s real.

Aftab, after Great Grand Masti (2016), you disappeared from Bollywood in a way. Why did you go missing?
I did two South films and a British film after Great Grand Masti, which I didn’t really speak about because I wanted to test the waters. Even the English film is a content-driven, serious film, which will release sometime this year. I wanted to see what it’s like to work outside my comfort zone, which is Bollywood. Having said that, if I was offered interesting films here, I would have chosen them but I didn’t get any, so I waited for the right opportunity. When Setters came my way, I was excited to play a police officer, who wants to bust a racket and imprison the culprits.

Shreyas, people often look at you as a good fit for supporting cast. Do you think you have been slotted in this category?
That did happen to a certain extent with me. I am not from a film family or don’t have a film background, and when people like me are approached by seniors or friends in the industry, it isn’t easy for us to say no. They’ll say, yeh kar lena and you do it, even when you are not completely convinced about those films. You fear that agar woh bura maan gaye toh baat failegi ki yeh ladka akdu hai. You learn the hard way to be assertive. It’s your career after all. If you are not convinced about a film, what will you portray on screen? Certain films will work, certain won’t, but there came a point when I decided to take a break. I might as well tell stories that I am convinced about instead of acting in ones that I am not. So I got into production (Marathi) and then directed the Hindi remake of Poster Boys. I’d rather do what I want to do and, of course, you have to wait for a right script like Setters.

Aftab, you started off as a child actor with Mr India. Do you think the chances of burning out are a lot more when a person starts out that early?
Isn’t that an advantage? I don’t look at it as a burnout; you get a head start. You gather experience with time and there’ no substitute for that. If you love what you do, you will never burn out. If I wasn’t an actor, I wouldn’t know what to do with my life. I am an extremely passionate guy and I am happy that I got an opportunity to start off at an early age. I developed a liking for the camera from a young age and decided that I will be around it till the time I die.

Does being a part of a certain group in Bollywood help in terms of getting work?
Shreyas: Yes, to a certain extent. Those things (hanging out with certain people) can get you one film at the most, but eventually, you will have to survive on your talent. If you are good at your work, you don’t have to worry about kal kya hoga?
Aftab: Your talent speaks for itself. There are so many people who have had successful careers despite not being associated with groups. They made it on their own. Social circles don’t forward your professional career. You shouldn’t get into a group because you want work. People shouldn’t know you for the amount of drinks you had with them, but the kind of talent you have.

What are your thoughts on the changing phase of paparazzi and domination of social media in India?
Aftab: People with millions of followers are popular on a virtual platform, which is social media. Does that translate to box office collection? No. They might get money to endorse a brand as a post, but are they happy making that as a career? If yes, then that’s great. But I think real popularity is when people will pay to watch your film because they genuinely like you for what you do and what you are. That’s true appreciation. I heard this beautiful quote, ‘This social media freak had thousands of friends on Facebook. But when he died, no one showed up at his funeral.’ All you get is RIP. It’s good to be on social media — use it, be on it, but that’s not the world we should be living in! It’s virtual. Don’t get lost in it.
Shreyas: I make it a point to call people on their birthdays instead of posting a message on social media. I believe in meeting my friends and extended family. My sister was surprised that I wasn’t on Instagram. It felt like a crime. I am on the platform now. I agree with what Aftab says, online validation might not translate into professional success. As far as the paps are concerned, people who work with us now say things like, ‘Sir, airport ke liye kaunsa shirt pehnoge?’

Aftab, you must be relieved that your family can see Setters as it’s been passed with a ‘U’ certificate. It’s something that’s not common with your films.
My last ‘U’ certificate film was in 2011. I haven’t had a ‘U’ certificate film for eight years! Setters has been certified ‘U’, not even ‘U/A’, so I am throwing a party for it. I do regret that over the years my audience shifted from ‘U’ to ‘A’.

Setters, produced by Lovely Films Production and NH Studioz, releases today. 

Making his web debut with web series Abhay, Kunal Kemmu on how the medium offers an advantage over films; the actor also spoke about his daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; February 26, 2019)

He is no stranger to the big screen, having started his career as a child artiste. After 26 years in Bollywood, Kunal Kemmu has now graduated to the digital medium. In a chat the actor talks about his web debut on Zee5, and the joy of exploring new avenues.

Edited excerpts from the interview:

You've branched out to a new medium and genre with Abhay...
The show gave me a break from the comic roles I have been doing. It marks my comeback to playing intense characters. Secondly, I enjoy crime-related and investigative shows. The series tackles a new case in every episode, and yet, each crime is somehow connected to the protagonist's personal life.

What made you explore the digital space?
It was an instinctive call. OTT platforms have suddenly blown up and will only become bigger in the near future. Initially, people were not sure of how the medium functioned as a business model and whether it would bring returns. Shows like Sacred Games, Rangbaaz and Mirzapur are only the beginning. The demand is huge. As we move ahead, the changes that the platform can bring [in the entertainment space] will be evident.

How different is the experience from headlining a film?
A web show offers you a longer commitment with your role. Since I have seven hours to live the part compared to the two hours in a film, I can get into the skin of the character. Other than that, it still feels as if I'm on a film set, owing to the atmosphere and the kind of technicians we have on board.

Does it free you from the Friday test?
The best part of releasing shows your on OTT platforms is that they do not depend on a Friday. It gives makers the leeway to fidget with the budget. The math of a digital platform is different since it is based on subscribers.

Moving to films, you seem to have found your comfort zone in multi-starrers.
It's a relief when the film does not rest on your shoulders. But ultimately, it's the story that attracts me. A film like Golmaal would only work with an ensemble cast. So, it is as much Ajay's [Devgn] film as it is Arshad's [Warsi] or mine. But I do have a solo release in May. I am trying to explore it all because no one knows what kind of films work at the box office.

Considering you started your career as a child actor, would you be open to Inaaya starting off young?
I don't want to take decisions on my daughter's behalf. I want her to do everything she likes. All I want to do is give her access — let her read, act, travel and do whatever she hopes to. I want to stand on the sidelines and support her every decision. I don't want to transfer my aspirations to her. She has started walking and can say the word 'blue'. She is training us to be parents.

Ajay Devgn on his daughter's style quotient and her Bollywood career, patching up with Karan Johar, and the future of Rohit Shetty's Marvel universe
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; February 24, 2019)

Ajay Devgn is a man of few words. While he is succinct and to-the-point off-screen, on it, he sets the screen afire be it comedy, dramedy or action. He has a chock-a-block schedule till next year with the period drama Tanaji, romantic-comedy De De Pyar De, Luv Ranjan's next also starring Ranbir Kapoor, Chanakya and a sports biopic directed by Badhai Ho director Amit Sharma.

While it is exciting to see you in comedies like Total Dhamaal, why don't you take up films like a Badhai Ho or Andhadhun?
I am already doing those. My last movie was Raid (2018) - shot in one house with a budget smaller than Drishyam (2015). I am open to doing much more, but the script has to be solid. My choice of movies depends on the script, not the budget it is mounted on. People think, small budget films have better returns at the box office and the market for big budget entertainers is low, but then films like Golmaal Returns and Simmba come and sweep those theories away.

You've tried your hand at every genre there is, but with the kind of content in the market today, what do you prefer?
As an actor, I can never pick any one genre. For those who think differently, I don't think they are complete actors. When a director approaches you with a script you don't accept or refuse it on the basis of the genre. Nor do we think which role is easy or challenging. Why would a serious movie be different from a comedy? A role can be as complicated as you make it. If I am doing a simple role, I try to incorporate nuances into it to make it layered.

With Rohit Shetty trying to create a Golmaal, Singham and Simmba universe, we hear in the next installation Ranveer Singh and you will have equal roles.
Nothing has been decided as yet. Not just Ranveer and me, even Akshay Kumar can be in the next installation, but that is way in the future as we are creating a cop world. As for Singham 3, the script hasn't been locked yet, so, I am a bit unclear which [Singham 3 or Golmaal 5] will come first.

Moving to the young starlet in your family - Nysa. She has become a fashionista with a huge fan following on Instagram. 
I don't know much about her fan following, but why do you say that she's a fashionista? She is definitely well-attired because today's generation is like this. I think Nysa is classy in her dressing sense and has good taste. Nysa does her own thing and none of us, including Kajol, interfere.

Will you allow Nysa a have career in the film industry, if she opts for it?
I won't be able to stop her, but right now, she doesn't want to become an actor. Of course, tomorrow cannot be predicted. Nysa is just 15 years old and is busy with her tenth grade in Singapore. It's too early for her to be thinking about a career. We sent her to Singapore as it is one of the best schools and it's better for her there [without the constant media glare]. They [paparazzi] are everywhere and it is not fair, they don't even leave children alone.

But some star children are comfortable in the limelight today.
When I ask Nysa not to go somewhere because of the media, how do I respond when she tells me, 'papa all my friends are going there. Am I not supposed to go anywhere?' How can that be their life? We chose to be actors and are accepting of the media glare, but our children didn't sign up for it.

Burying the hatchet
The big tussle between Devgn and Karan Johar in 2016 over the clash of Shivaay and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is public knowledge. However, late last year, we hear the duo buried the hatchet. Some claim that Kajol brought the two together. But Devgn denies it and says, "Kajol wasn't a part of it [the patch up]. I am happy that Karan and I spoke and decided to sort out the issue like mature persons. We bumped into each other and decided to let bygones be bygones. I think it was good we did. One has to move on and we are all part of the same industry. A lot has been spoken about me attending the party at his home a few weeks ago, but it was Karan's party for the success of Simmba and he invited me, so, why shouldn't I go?"

Ajay Devgn explains his definition of stardom and the need to swap genres; predicts football will become big in the next few years and reveals that Singham 3, Chanakya will roll soon
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 19, 2019)

Dressed in a blue shirt and black jeans, Ajay Devgn is flanked by his guards as he arrives at a suburban hotel. He greets fans before proceeding to his suite. After a walk in the balcony, the actor settles down for a chat with Mirror and discusses his upcoming comedy, Total Dhamaal , the changing concept of stardom and staying level-headed. Excerpts:

What was the rationale behind signing another comedy franchise after Golmaal?
It’s not about the franchise, it’s always about the script. Total Dhamaal makes you laugh and I want to be associated with clean comedies that appeal to families.

Golmaal Again was a horror comedy; Total Dhamaal is an adventure comedy. Is the goal to explore uncharted territories within the genre?
As an actor, one looks out for things that have not been done before. Yes, there have been instances when I thought a film would work and it didn’t or even when I realised we weren’t achieving what we had set out to. The failure is always at the script level. This one had an interesting premise and since the script excited me, I was happy to come on board. Indu ji (filmmaker Indra Kumar) has made some really funny films in the past, and I am hopeful we will succeed in tickling the funny bone this time too.

Were there changes in the script once you came on board?
We all improvise, that’s a part of acting in a comedy film. But the director has to take a call to ensure that the scene is not stretched. It’s all about stopping at the right time to create the desired impact. I try not to repeat myself and that’s not just restricted to comedies I played a don in both Company and Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, but the two characters had different arcs. One was serious but with a sense of humour while the other was menacing but always smiling.

It’s decisions like these that’ve given you the versatility tag…
I like to swap genres. After Golmaal, I don’t want to do a Dhamaal immediately, maybe a Raid first. After this, I have Tanhaji and De De Pyaar De. That’s how I come back to the genre with a different mind-set.

What’s your take on the concept of stardom today?
How do you describe a star? Yes, there is an audience that likes a particular actor and goes to see his films in the theatres, but after the initial euphoria, it is the film that works. You need a great film first, after that a star can take the script to another level. It is always the film that creates a star and while I wouldn’t want to take anything away from stars, I’d say that today if the film works, everything works.

You will soon celebrate your 50th birthday. Any regrets?
None, I did whatever I chose to, even accepting films for emotional reasons knowing they wouldn’t work. That was how it was in our era.

How do you stay level-headed?
I have been in this industry for almost 30 years now, seen how people behave on sets and what people expect. I’m a technician’s son, so I know it’s not cool to throw tantrums because you are a star. Everybody’s contribution is important.

After Baahubali, everyone wants to make a period drama…
(Cuts in) It’s not because of Baahubali. We were planning Sons of Sardaar (SoS) before that but it didn’t materialise.

So, then you announced Tanhaji…
It’s a fabulous script, I wouldn’t spend big money on it otherwise. We start shooting for the climax soon and wrap up by May for a November release.

How does it feel to team up with Kajol and Saif Ali Khan after a long time on a film as ambitious as this one?
Every film that I do is ambitious. Yes, this one demands a certain scale. We needed Saif as only he justifies the role. You don’t cast big actors because you want a strong ensemble cast.

There’s also a biopic on football coach Syed Abdul Rahim...
That’s a fabulous script, being produced by Boney Kapoor. It will roll as soon as I finish shooting Tanhaji. It’s a mix of football and human emotions. Today’s generation is into football and in a couple of years, the sport will become big in India. This is about the man who brought the only cup in football to the country.

What’s happening with Singham 3? And Neeraj Pandey’s Chanakya?
Singham 3 will roll soon but we don’t have a date yet. Chanakya will start by the end of the year. It’s a period film in an exciting space.

What are your thoughts on the cop-universe that Rohit Shetty is trying to create with Singham, Simmba and Sooryavanshi?
He discussed it with me long ago. It’s a fabulous world that he is trying to create.

Now that there is no bad blood between Karan Johar and you, can we expect a collaboration soon?
Why not? There have been no discussions yet but you never know what the future holds. 

Rachit Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; February 18, 2019)

His intense eyes and brooding machismo have always added to his allure as an actor, but, there’s another aspect of Ajay Devgn’s stardom — his effortless ease with comedy. He keeps a straight face through the most insane comic gags and pulls them off with nonchalance. Known to be a prankster in real-life, he can be a really fun person to hang out with and not many know that he's a great conversationalist, too. With his latest comedy, Total Dhamaal up for release, the actor talks about the current trends in showbiz. Whether it's comedy, film production, political movies or parenting, Ajay makes it all look easy. Excerpts from a candid chat...

Lately, Hindi films have started focussing on high-concept entertainment. Even comedies are trying to evolve into smarter packages that promise to deliver a lot more to the audience. Do you agree?
A film has just one purpose, and that is to engage and entertain its audience. Fact is, we are currently in a phase where filmmakers and the audience are engaging with various kinds of films. And the best part is, most of these new films, whether they’re traditional or experimental, are doing well. That encourages the film industry to take more risks and create cutting-edge entertainment. When we made Golmaal, back in 2006, a few comedy films with new, realistic content had done well and people told us that a film like ours would not work at the box office. But, Golmaal released and the rest is history. Likewise, there was a conversation recently around massy entertainers not working, but Simmba found its audience, too. The basic idea is that every kind of film will succeed as long as people are entertained. Look at Uri, it’s a fabulous film and no wonder that it’s doing such great business. I feel that the Indian audience has opened up its horizons. They’ve started accepting and being receptive to every new genre of filmmaking. That is great for showbiz because it has opened up so many possibilities for storytelling. Filmmakers are now looking to deliver great quality. The film industry isn’t just focussing on telling stories, but also on pushing the envelope. That’s why a film like Total Dhamaal has such massive production values.

Total Dhamaal is being billed as an adventure comedy. What’s new about this family entertainer?
It’s the first attempt to make a film in the adventure-comedy genre in Hindi cinema. Usually, comedy films aren’t produced on such a big scale, and that in itself made the experience of working on the movie a lot of fun. I don’t know what the reaction to this film is going to be like, because sometimes, people end up looking for a certain kind of sensibility from mainstream comedies that are out to just entertain. Honestly, I feel that Total Dhamaal has the ability to make its audience laugh. I find it to be a really, really funny film. That’s the only thing we wanted to achieve and I feel that we have managed to do that to a certain extent. Obviously, the audience will have the final word.

You are producing a film, Tanhaji based on the life of a Maratha warrior, in which you are playing the title role, too. Nowadays, films with historical and political backdrops often get targeted by various parties and individuals, and the producer generally bears the brunt of it all. Does that make you conscious about the kind of subjects you choose for your films?
We have to be conscious and that’s always been the case. It’s not just a recent practice, film producers have been wary about their subjects for decades now. When you are in the spotlight, every little action or every word you speak in an interview or otherwise is scrutinised and observed very closely. Celebrities in India, or around the world, have to be conscious about their actions. Log aksar kehte hain ki hamein dar lagta hai kayi cheezein bolne se. Kyunki hota kya hai, aap ek statement dete ho aur use oppose karne ke liye kayi log khade ho jaate hain. Yes, the court may step in and rule in your favour and your film, but those who have stood up against you, won’t back down instantly. The insecurity of facing that conflict always works on your mind. At the end of the day, this is a business where someone is investing their hard-earned money. So, why would you burn a person’s house or destroy their livelihood over a creative product? Kisi nek insaan ka ghar bhi barbaad ho sakta hai, sirf ek film ke failure se. Why would anyone want to take that risk? So producers, filmmakers and actors, more often than not, prefer to take safe choices in terms of content.

You have been part of a phase when, during a box-office clash of two big films, actors were pitted against each other. But now, even when two big films release on the same weekend, and there are box office clashes, it's not played up as much as it used to. What do you think has changed?
During the 90s, when most of my contemporaries and I started working in films, we treated each other like colleagues and friends. I don't think any of us paid any attention to whose film was a success and whose wasn’t. But then, there was a phase where the comparisons began. I feel that this affinity to compare and analyse is related to films and not actors per se. You see, an actor can have a big hit, but the next release which can be a film from a very different genre, might not do as well. The success of a film is an uncertain prospect, as you can never really predict what will work and what won’t. I feel the fans, people and the media have realised this and accordingly stopped comparing actors or even movies to each other.

Your contemporaries including Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Aamir Khan have explored TV as a new medium. Yet, you've remained selective about your appearances on the small screen.
I am a very lazy person. I hate doing new things and I hate going out. But I do realise the importance of being relevant. If someone does come up with a fabulous concept for a TV show, I would be totally up for it.

Do the opinions and influence of your children Nysa and Yug reflect on the kind of stories that you want to tell on screen?
Once you are a parent, your kids’ choices and opinions create a lot of impact on your own decisions. Yug has a thing for comedies, he just insists on watching funny films. The way my daughter reacts to my films or roles is also very important. Yug is still a little young, but Nysa is a part of the youth. The way children think and perceive things is completely different from the way we do. There’s so much to learn from their opinions and conversations. It’s good to have your kids by your side, because they keep you updated with what’s happening in the world. If you don’t move with the times you’re finished, it’s game over.

When the #MeToo movement caught on last year, you gave out a strong message on Twitter, advocating the need for safer working environment for women. In the past few months, how have things changed on your film sets and in your production house?
Everyone in the film industry has become very careful with issues about women’s safety, especially in the office environment. There’s been an increase in the collective consciousness around this subject. Perhaps, and I am merely guessing here, that we were ignorant about these issues earlier on, but with the #MeToo movement, we’ve all become more aware. I feel the movement has ushered in a lot of positive changes in the film industry, but going ahead, we should be careful that this platform should also not be misused. The first thing that we've done at all our offices and companies, is that we've trained our staff about sexual harassment and code of conduct. There can be times when a person says something, and they don’t mean any harm, but it comes across as something else. So, to ensure that such problems don’t crop up in the future, we have sensitised all our staff members and everyone knows about their limits and code of conduct.

DNA (December 6, 2018)

After Hrs was the first to tell you that Rohit Shetty got his Golmaal boys — Kunal Kemmu, Tusshar, Arshad Warsi and Shreyas Talpade — to shoot for a special song in Simmba. We now bring you a glimpse of the number, which sees the foursome sharing screen space with the lead pair — Ranveer Singh and Sara Ali Khan. The gang will be seen shaking a leg to the track Aankh Marey that has been recreated and programmed by Tanishk Bagchi. While Neha Kakkar, Mika Singh and Kumar Sanu have lent their voices to it, Shabbir Ahmed has penned the lyrics. Coincidentally, Arshad also featured in the original number along with actress Simran in the movie Tere Mere Sapne (1996).

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; October 23, 2018)

Filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s next directorial venture, Simmba, is undoubtedly one of the most awaited releases of 2018. While the blockbuster director has teamed up with Ranveer Singh and Sara Ali Khan for the first time, the movie will also have a few interesting special appearances.

We had earlier told you that Rohit’s long-time favourite and buddy Ajay Devgn has an interesting cameo — playing Bajirao Singham — in the climax. Another interesting addition has also been devised. The Golmaal gang of boys are expected to join the crew. Our khabri reveals, “The four boys from Golmaal Again — Tusshar, Kunal Kemmu, Arshad Warsi and Shreyas Talpade — will be shooting a cameo for Simmba. They will all be seen in a sequence in the movie. The four actors will fly to Hyderabad to film the scene, which is likely to be shot on October 29.

The source says, “The entire Golmaal team is like one big family that is always rooting for each other. So, when Rohit saw there’s scope for a special scene, he immediately called his ‘boys’ and told them about it. They readily agreed to be a part of it.” Now, a new journey begins.

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; April 12, 2018)

Little did Rohit Shetty imagine that his hero-cop Bajirao Singham essayed by Ajay Devgn in Singham (2011) would become so iconic that three years after the release of its sequel Singham Returns (2014), there will be an animated series called Little Singham for kids. “The first Singham became so popular with children and cops that we made a sequel. And, now there is going to be a 156-episode animated series for the tiny tots, and I can’t wait to see their reaction,” beams Rohit, who has co-produced it. Here, he talks about the idea behind it, his desire to make more such series, and his next outing.

When did you conceptualise Little Singham?
A year ago. We have an animation company in Pune, which merged with Reliance Animation. They came up with the idea of making Little Singham. We started working on the story and made a short episode. That’s when Discovery came on board and it became exciting as a project.

Creatively, did you contribute to how the character will look and behave?
More than me, it was the animators who had the idea about how he should be. I was only following them but keeping an eye on what is right and wrong. I was just worried about the language and the treatment, which I looked into. The traits were given by the animators. I didn’t want the cinematic touch, but purely a cartoon. This Singham is totally different from the adult version. Obviously, he has the ‘Aata majhi satakli’ moment when he becomes powerful, the lion tattoo brightens up, and he starts beating up the baddies, which is like in any series where kids wait for that particular moment. 

What kind of stunts will Little Singham do?
Singham himself is larger-than-life and in animation, there is no rok-tok. He will do all kinds of stunts. When we were small, we would love to see over-the-top, larger-than-life visuals, so this one will be doing 100 times more than what Singham did in the film. What happens in animation is that you can incorporate whatever you think of, make him as macho as you want to, something that kids will enjoy. 

Has Ajay Devgn seen any episode of the series?
We have spoken about it. He was in Paris on a holiday, but now that he is back, he will see it.

This is an animation series. What about doing a film for kids?
If I get a good subject, I will definitely do it because I want to experiment with a kids’ film starring children. In fact, we were planning one, but it did not turn out well.

Have you thought of making a film with a lady cop?
Yes, at some point, I want to make a film with lady Singham. I will be working on the script, but it will take a lot of time. We are planning to create a universe where there is a lady cop. In fact, in Little Singham, there is a girl cop.

Whether it is the Golmaal series or Singham, your films are liked by kids. Do you factor that in when you are making them?
Yes, it is important to me, especially while making a Golmaal or a Singham. I see to it that a large chunk of family audiences like it. I know kids will be coming to watch movies, so as filmmakers, we definitely know that responsibility towards the audiences. We do take care of that while scripting as well as shooting.

While there is a lot of humour in Little Singham, even the film raised a lot of laughs, especially Prakash Raj’s character despite him being the villain... 
Yes, we tried to make it lighter. We didn’t want it to go dark. In the climax scene, there are too many cops, and they have come to kill a person. It could have been gory and gruesome. It was a big risk to make it humorous, but that worked more than a normal blood-and-action scene.

Besides Singham, which other film character do you think can lend itself to an animated series?
There are a lot of characters in different movies, but it is up to the director which one he wants to take forward. If they want to do so, my company is there (laughs). Talking about my films, I think all the characters of Golmaal have those traits required for an animated series. Even in the live action film, they are lively, loud and over-the-top, almost like animated characters!

Coming to films, when do you start shooting for Simmba?
We are currently doing the pre-production and will go on floors by the end of next month.

What prompted you to cast Sara Ali Khan opposite Ranveer Singh?
They make a good pair! Sara is a sweet girl and when she came to meet me, I could picture her in the role; she fit it perfectly. This will be her second film — I don’t know if this will be her first release — but she is a hardcore commercial heroine. She is very clear she wants to do all kinds of films — a solo-heroine, a two-heroine, love story, a commercial film — she is just starting her career, her energy is right, and she is in the right space. 

On TV, you have just finished judging India’s Next Superstars. What next?
I will be shooting for the next season of Khatron Ke Khiladi in July for a month ­— the place is yet to be decided, as recce is going on. I come back and shoot Simmba. KKK is close to my heart — it is a lot of hard work, every day there is a new challenge, a new stunt, which is exciting. 

After Simmba, there is buzz that you will be shooting Singham 3...
I will be collaborating with Ajay after Simmba, but we haven’t decided if it will be for Singham 3 or the next instalment of Golmaal. Let’s see, we are working on the script and will take a call after that.

Debarati Sen (BOMBAY TIMES; December 3, 2017)

A true artiste is never really restricted to a single form of expression. Multi-faceted, they usually begin early by dabbling in many areas and eventually, excelling in quite a few. Anushka Manchanda is one such artiste. She began her journey into stardom as a teenager, by winning one of India’s earliest reality shows to bag a place in the country’s first all-girl band, Viva. Since then, she has donned multiple hats with élan — singer, music producer, songwriter, video editor, biker babe and an actress. Excerpts from an interview...

You were in your teens when you won the Viva talent hunt in 2002. How was the experience, especially since you had never really planned a career in music?
I was 17, and hadn’t even finished school. I had no idea what I was getting into, but everybody around me, including my teachers at school, told my parents that this was the right thing to do. We were meant to migrate to the US earlier that year, but I had an accident which delayed the move. Now, I believe that everything, no matter how bad it seems at the time, happens for the right reason.

Viva was a glamorous band, which had four talented, young and gorgeous girls. Did you ever feel that the music industry did not take you seriously?
Right after Viva split, I became a VJ and one of my first shows was V Launchpad. One day, I did an impromptu jamming session and as soon as I stopped singing, I saw all these indie musicians looking at me incredulously. One of them said, ‘Hey, you can actually sing!’ I grew up on rock and roll, and felt like a fish out of water in the pop band. So, to finally get acceptance from others felt pretty good. Having said that, if I could go back and give an advice to my 20-year-old self, it would be to not worry about being accepted.

It took you four years after Viva to make your Bollywood debut with the title track of The Golmaal – Fun Unlimited (2006). That song is still popular. How did it feel to be appreciated for your first attempt at playback?
If there was a person from the band who had the least chances of being a playback singer, it was me. So, when these songs started to come in, I was shocked. However, I didn’t overanalyse it and just went with the flow. I landed the song because Vishal and Shekhar (music directors) had heard my voice at a show I was hosting. Needless to say, that track turned out to be super lucky for me.

While you were an untrained singer, the music industry, including Bollywood, has always laid a lot of emphasis on the singers being formally trained. Did you ever face any disadvantage because of that?
Yes, I felt that it was such a big drawback. I had played the piano for many years and my basic knowledge was strong, but mostly, I grew up listening to Aerosmith, Rage Against The Machine, Prodigy, Metallica and Apollo 440. So, my style and approach were completely different. It worked for me at times, but many times, it didn’t. For example, once I had to record a song for Jatin-Lalit and I spent most of the time crying in the bathroom because I just couldn’t sing in that style well enough and I felt so bad about it.

Since the Golmaal track, you have sung over 100 songs in films. How has the journey been?
It’s been an adventure. I actually learnt everything about singing on the job. There is this soft side to my voice that I didn’t get to explore much in Bollywood, but I use it a lot for advertising. I wish I could do more of that in films, too.

What’s your take on the current scene in Bollywood music? Over the last few years, do you think that it has changed a lot?
Honestly, it’s a bit confusing. There are so many new, talented artistes in the music industry. But then, there are also songs that make you question everything you believe in. In all humility, let me say that it hurts when I hear remakes of old songs that don’t do justice to the original. I’m not a purist, but some things are sacred.

You have also dabbled in acting, with Pan Nalin’s Angry Indian Goddesses that won critical acclaim, globally. Tell us about the experience...
It was educative — I learnt about filmmaking, acting processes and methods. I also learnt about myself and what I am capable of. I was surrounded by technicians and artistes who were passionate about what they were doing, and it reinforced my conviction about the kind of work I want to do.

Do you find acting as cathartic as music? Or did you explore it out of curiosity?
After Angry Indian Goddesses premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, an article was published about 15 breakthrough actors from the festival and my name was on the list. That gave me a high and I want to do more work that excites me.

Having been successful in various fields, what do you see yourself as — a singer, model, actress or VJ?
Whenever someone asks me that question, I say that I am a new music producer who has been singing for many years. I have also edited some music videos for which my brother, Shikhar Manchanda, and I composed the music.

Sarita A Tanwar (DNA; October 18, 2017)

Rohit Shetty has worked till 5 am the previous night but is looking as fresh as someone who has just returned from a vacay. Which is what happens when you love what you do, as much as Rohit does. The recluse has decided not to do any pre release interviews. But when he speaks, it’s no holds barred. He doesn’t shy away from admitting his last film didn’t work. He has analysed the reasons why it failed, better than the audience or the critics. This man knows the pulse of his audience and that’s why he has delivered more 100 crore films than any other director. Read on for excerpts from our chat....

Horror comedy is the flavour of the season, how was your experience of making one?
Actually we planned it seven years ago, after Golmaal 3. After Golmaal 3, when we were making Singham, we decided that if we make another Golmaal, it will be a horror comedy and we cracked the story then. But it didn’t reach to a level I wanted. Then we got busy with Bol Bachchan, Chennai Express etc. During Singham Returns we started again three years ago and then we cracked the script.

Have you ever had a ghostly experience?
(Laughs) Every morning I see the mirror I do have one, otherwise, no.

Golmaal is one of the biggest franchises today. Did you imagine that, while making the first?
No. Honestly, when I made my first Golmaal, it was for survival. Comedies were doing really well and I thought at least it will be an average to a good film. Even when we were making it we knew where it would land, and my career will be safe.

At what point did you plan the sequel?
I think after three to four months. I was making something else… Hera Pheri and Munna Bhai had done sequels by then and sequels were just starting off. Yunus (writer) came up with some story and I thought can be made into a sequel and that is how it happened.

For Golmaal Aagain, you’ve changed the entire crew from cameraman to production designer. Why?
Actually most of them have been working with me. Like my art director was an assistant art director earlier… The whole look of this film is different. We hardly shot in Goa. We just went to Goa because of ‘I want to go to Goa.’ It was not there in the script of the film. It is a hill station based film. I wanted a total different look for this Golmaal.

Why is that?
Because I think we are done with that kind of a look and I thought let’s not just cash in on the title or the franchise of Golmaal. We have to give the audience something new. This is the costliest film I have made. Costlier than Chennai Express and Singham Returns. If you see the film, the grandness and scale and how we have shot, CGI, you will realise that. Not costlier than Dilwale for sure. The budget of Golmaal Again is almost double of Golmaal 3. I wanted to do that so that the audience gets that kind of an experience, like a comic book experience. We shot the film in five months but the whole planning went on for a year. It’s the first time, it’s happened this way.

So you’ve plunged into Golmaal immediately after Dilwale, which received a lukewarm response at the box office. What were the lessons you learnt?
We know where we went wrong in Dilwale. My mother said, ‘Teri nazar utar gayi’ and I told her, ‘bohot mehengi nazar utri’(Laughs).

You said that you know where you went wrong…
From my first film till Dilwale, we never changed our script. If I narrate the original script, you will fall down laughing and it was a typical Rohit Shetty film. But after Kajol came on board, and because Shah Rukh and Kajol coming together is so big, we started catering to that audience. And then the whole 40 minutes of the chunk, which was not there in the original script was added. It is my fault. Nobody told me to do that, to be very honest.

Golmaal 3 was supposed to be the only release this Diwali but now Secret Superstar has also joined in. Does it spoil the party?
Every Diwali, in future, will have two releases. I am happy that the films belong to two different genres; if the genres were the same, it would have been difficult for us and them. We once had a similar Diwali with Golmaal Returns and Fashion and both films did well.

Secret Superstar was considered a niche film. Now, Aamir is going all out to promote it as his film. Does that bother you?
No, not really. It is only about business. Theirs is going to be a critically-acclaimed film and this is going to be an entertainer. Business-wise, what will happen, neither of us knows. But where the media is concerned, and where critical acclaim is concerned, it’s all going to go to Secret Superstar.

Are you worried about critical acclaim?
No. I do not have the recipe for that and I’m not worried about that part. So that’s sorted in my head.

Golmaal is tracking at a phenomenal figure of Rs 28 crore on the first day, are those expectations scary?
During Dilwale, I was scared because I had gone off track, away from the script and away from my audience and catering to Shah Rukh-Kajol audience. This time, I do not know how big it will be and whether it will be a blockbuster, but the audience will come out satisfied, that’s for sure.

In this Golmaal, you took a long time to decide who the actress would be. Why? Were you waiting for Kareena Kapoor?
I never said why Bebo was not in the film. Or we would have revealed the story. But now, it is in the trailer so I can tell you that we needed an age difference between Ajay and the lead actress. When you see the film, you will know why we didn’t take Bebo.

The surprise factor of this film is Tabu. What made you think she would do comedy well?
It was not a sudden plan. I worked with Tabu 25 years ago in a film called Haqeeqat where I was an assistant director. We know each other from those days and she has seen my growth. Then for last five-seven years, whenever we met, Tabu used to say, ‘I want to do a commercial film and I am going to do it with you.’ When we were writing Golmaal, I called her. We narrated the script to her and she loved it.

You’re a director and producer and host of a reality show; what do you enjoy the most?
It is direction. Hosting is fine. I enjoy hosting if it is my genre. Other than that, I get bored. But directing, obviously.

You do not take much of a break between movies. After Golmaal Again, you get on to your next film with Ranveer Singh. The title is My Name is Lakhan?
No, we haven’t finalised the title yet. We’re still working on the final draft. I will be getting time in between because my dates are in May as per now. So I still have time. I will go for a holiday.

You, a workaholic, are going on a holiday!
Yes, I always go. It is just that I do not inform the media so they aren’t at the airport to click pictures.

Are you on Instagram? You can put your holiday pictures.
No, I am happy like this only.

What are your plans for Diwali?
I will be at home.

When are you not at home?
(Smiles) I will be home with family. The film releases the next day. So I’ll be sleeping in the morning and do not want to get up and take the stress. Jo ho gaya, ho gaya.

You have always been very chilled before release.
I do get nervous; it is human nature. I’m pretty chilled out. Jo ho gaya woh ho gaya, main kya badal dunga.

What do you think of the ban on crackers by SC in Delhi? Do you think this should be in Mumbai?
I do not like crackers. I guess it goes with age. I think we have to find a way where kids can enjoy and there’s no pollution. Maybe some Indian company should come up with an idea. If they do, I will take a copyright.

Do you have an all time favourite ghost comedy?
No. There are a lot of black and white films that are not exactly ghost-related but you feel there’s a ghost. There was a movie of Mehmood and R D Burman, Bhoot Bangla. It is quite an interesting film. I feel like a commercial multi-starrer horror film works. For that matter, even Bhool Bhulaiyya works.

Critics haven’t ever been appreciative of the Golmaal franchise. Did that bother you initially?
Initially, it did. But now everybody has come to terms with it. So it is fine now. We are all in a good space. We have mutual respect for each other.

As a director, are you ever tempted to step out of your comfort zone and do a romantic film?
Dilwale, all said and done, reached out to a level. It is still the highest grosser of Shah Rukh overseas, which had great music and won an award for it, too. I get scared. If I do (make an experimental movie), then I will make a very small film. Tomorrow, if it doesn’t work, then what?

There is a popular belief among younger actors that the audience doesn’t want to see mass entertainers anymore, but the numbers speak a different story. Why do you think there is a disconnect?
Social media. There needs to be a lot of homework. Like the BARC has come. If you see the ratings of what films are doing well, things will change. It’s just that people are saying commercial films are not doing well, but for the last one-and-a-half years; we didn’t have a commercial release. Name one hardcore commercial film other than Judwaa 2? It is just a phase which comes and goes; reading the history of cinema is also important. I have always said that. When Manmohan Desai was making Amar Akbar Anthony, Basu Chatterjee was making Rajnigandha and Chit Chor and Amol Palekar was also a star and Amitabh Bachchan was also a star. Then came Farooq Sheikh and then Om Puri with Ardh Satya. Commercial films co-existed and were not looked down upon.

That is happening even now. For every Shah Rukh Khan, there is an Irrfan Khan...
It has always been there and will always be there. Newton with Rajkummar Rao is also doing well as is Judwaa 2 with Varun. Social media is scary. It is better to keep the phone away and live like a tiger. A star should behave like a star, then everything will be fine.

Do you agree that commercial cinema does not get the respect it deserves?
Yes, 110 per cent.

Who do you blame for that?
I don’t know... Commercial films are not easy to make. A lot of hard work goes into it. It is all about perception. I think the only way to change the perception is if we stop saying the film made Rs 200 crore and start saying 10 crore people or 10 lakh people saw this film, then things will change. It is not about Rs 200 crore, it’s about how many people saw it. That is the kind of cinema people want to see. Ultimately, you are making a film for the audience. If you are not, then it is fine.

It is such a shame that Hindi cinema looks down upon pan-India films when the South is making Baahubali. The south is doing so well. Films from Tamil Nadu or Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are doing well because they are catering to an Indian audience. Here, we are confused about what to do. Pan-India film is the way ahead. It’s not that it will not do well. Look at Judwaa 2.

Speaking of sequels...What about Singham 3?
We will be making it but I do not have the right script right now. We know what space to go in, though.