Lasyapriya Sundaram (BOMBAY TIMES; March 26, 2018)

Choreographer-turned-filmmaker Ahmed Khan returns to the director’s chair after 10 years with the upcoming action-romance Baaghi 2. In his candid and nonchalant style, he speaks about the hits and misses as a filmmaker. He has been a choreographer since the 90s and his vast experience of working with the best of Bollywood that has given him plenty of stories to tell. With Baaghi 2, he has tried to turn a new action-filled page in his career. Working with his favourites, Tiger Shroff and Sajid Nadiadwala, Ahmed hopes to aim for the moon. Excerpts…

What made you return to direction after almost a decade with Baaghi 2?
I directed my first film, Lakeer — Forbidden Lines (2004), when I was 28. Though the film had a huge star cast and music by A R Rahman, it didn’t do well. Then, I was offered Fool & Final (2007), which did moderate business, but I had lost interest in direction. I involved myself in choreographing dance numbers, judging reality shows and directing music videos. At least, I was not waiting for a Friday when judgement would be passed. A film’s box office fate did not depend on whether the song I choreographed was a hit or a flop. It was Tiger Shroff who told me that I should direct a film. His excitement propelled me towards direction once again. One day, Sajid Nadiadwala (producer) called me and asked me if I was still interested in direction; that’s when he offered me Baaghi 2. After so many years if I am directing a film, it has to be for the biggest producer. I always wanted to direct a hard-core action film. I was constantly offered dance films, but I was not keen on them as I was already choreographing songs.

Since the film is a comeback of sorts for you, there must be a lot at stake…
For me, Baaghi 2 is like a litmus test — a make or break moment. If this film doesn’t bring me back into the game then I am not meant to direct a film. Nobody gets so many chances in life. Perhaps, people think that I am a good technician. I have been a choreographer for 23 years and survived in the industry, which may have helped me bag another film. The fact that the younger generation is keen on collaborating with me means that I have kept up with the times and haven’t become a Murphy radio (laughs).

The USP of the movie is its high-octane action. Give us an insight into how you went about shooting the scenes?
We travelled to Krabi, Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi and then Bangkok in search of a mountain on which a chopper could land and simultaneously another chopper would rise up in the air for an action sequence. We have worked with three action co-ordinators in the film including Kecha, Ram Lakshman from the South and Shamsher Khan who brought in different sensibilities. I spent nine months planning all the action sequences, but I shot it in a few days. In fact, this film was shot in 69 days when action films take minimum 100 days. In Kullu Manali, we shot in -13 degrees. Krabi was burning hot when we canned the chopper scene. We have also done a chase sequence in Goa with 40 cars!

Have you taken a backseat as far as the film’s choreography is concerned?
When I came on set for Mundiyan To Bach Ke, it was air-conditioned and in complete contrast to the action sequences, which we had shot outdoors. My assistant Rahul Shetty choreographed this song and Ganesh Acharya has done the Ek Do Teen remix. I didn’t want to choreograph for this film, as I wanted to completely focus on direction.

Did you have a freehand as far as direction is concerned, or was Sajid very involved in the process of filmmaking?
Sajid and I are like brothers. We used to fight, I used to walk out and then he would eventually agree and incorporate my suggestions. On the first day of shoot, he came to the set and sat for 20 minutes. After that he never came on set. He sits on the edit, but how it’s shot is totally my call. I can put my foot down whenever I feel it is required. Till today, one scene in the film is a bone of contention between the two of us (laughs). We have discussed how we will be fighting over it even after the film’s release. In fact, the third instalment of Baaghi has already been announced. He is a dream producer to work with.

Two controversies have surfaced with regards to the film. The director of the Telugu film Kshanam (2016) was upset because the writers of the original film have reportedly not been given credit in Baaghi 2. Also, Charanjit Singh Maakar, the lyricist of the original Mundiyan To Bach Ke has claimed that he has not been given credit either…
There is no controversy. We have officially bought the rights of Kshanam and we will be giving the credit for the same. It clearly states that it is an adaptation of the Telugu film. We have also scaled up our film up for a pan-India audience. The original was a huge hit in Telugu and Tamil and now, it’s been remade in Hindi. T-Series officially bought the rights of Mundiyan To Bach Ke. Who will be given credit for the song, is something that is between the music label and the original composers. How can I do anything about that?

Do you think Bollywood will see more choreographers turning directors in the future?
Kamal Master was the first choreographer to turn director when he made a film with his son. Years later, Farah Khan and I turned directors around the same time. I think what we did made many choreographers believe that they could also become directors. We are technicians, so it’s a natural transition.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; February 23, 2018)

Launched on Wednesday, the trailer of Tiger Shroff-starrer Baaghi 2 gave fans of action films more than one reason to rejoice. While Shroff carried a promise of lavish high-octane action sequences with this glimpse, social media users were quick to point out a glaring flaw in the teaser. That director Ahmed Khan failed to credit the Telugu film, Kshanam, on which this actioner is based, did not go unnoticed.

Disappointed, director of the acclaimed outing, Ravikanth Perepu, tells midday that he wishes “the makers had at least given the writers their due credit”. “I have a neutral stance on the issue at this moment. The film released two years ago. The makers of Baaghi 2 had purchased the official rights of the film. But giving the writers [of Kshanam] credit is essential, especially since their movie is being made on a national scale,” Perepu says.

The director acknowledges that the Hindi outing has been adapted to suit the sensibilities of the audience turning up to watch a Bollywood film. “But the source material is the same. I hope they credit us in the film at least. They should do so for the sake of the writers.”

Perepu’s 2016 outing, starring Adivi Sesh and Adah Sharma, revolved around an NRI who returns to India to help his ex-lover find her kidnapped daughter. The Tamil film, Sathya, is also adapted from this venture. While the original had lesser action sequences than that promised in fitness buff Shroff’s venture, at first glance, it appears to trace a similar plotline.

A source tells mid-day that though Kshanam has been credited in the film, the recent development can already hamper relationships. “If the makers of Baaghi 2 release another trailer which includes the credits, the matter should be resolved. While there’s no scope of a legal implication, relations may needlessly be strained. Kshanam’s production house has already put in a word to the producer of Baaghi 2.”

Social media users too did not take kindly to the filmmakers overlooking the credit. One user wrote: “When you were willing to buy the remake rights of a Telugu film, you will set a good precedent when you acknowledge it in the credits. No one is going to value your product any less.”

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; January 7, 2018)

When Tiger Shroff’s Baaghi released, it did wonders for him. For a newcomer who was just one film old, the actioner went on to rake in around Rs 77 crore at the box office. Now, two years later when Baaghi 2 is all set to hit screens on March 30, everyone is expecting firecrackers again. The movie will see lovebirds Tiger and Disha Patani for the first time on celluloid, and like we had told you, the latter will have a limited screen time. Reveals a source, “Disha and Tiger play each other’s love interest. But she dies halfway into the film.”

Another source tells us, “It’s the official remake of the hit South film Kshanam. But the makers of Baaghi 2 have tweaked the storyline to suit the actors’ ages.” Last time, Tiger was on a killing spree to save his ladylove Shraddha Kapoor. In the sequel, he will save his premika’s kid instead. Adds our source, “In the film, Tiger and Disha are college sweethearts who don’t end up with each other. She gets married to someone else and has a child. Soon after, her husband dies and she, too, is murdered and her kid is abducted. Tiger embarks on a mission to save her child.” Unlike Baaghi, which had a lot of action, this will also have an emotional angle. “Tiger is popular among children, so the makers thought that him rescuing a kid would add more value to the film.”

DNA (April 6, 2016)

We know that Salman Khan will next be doing the Hindi remake of south film Kshanam to be produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. The story is about a guy who is approached by his ex girlfriend to help rescue her kidnapped daughter. The movie is a big hit down south. However, it is the part about the hero helping his ex that reportedly interested Salman. Interestingly, his ex-flame Sangeeta Bijlani is looking at making a comeback to films. What’s more this model-turned-actress has been making a lot of public appearances, and is looking stunning. This film seems perfect for her return, no?

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 2, 2016)

Salman Khan has been rigorously training with a group of Polish martial artistes for his upcoming wrestler drama. And next year, he plans to kick off a Telugu remake.

"Salman caught a private screening of the thriller, Kshanam, with his longtime filmmaker friend Sajid Nadiadwala, and loved every minute. He's bought the remake rights," a friend informed Mirror.

Directed by Ravikanth Perepu and featuring Adivi Sesh and Adah Sharma in the lead, the original follows a US-based NRI who receives a call from a distraught ex and rushes to India on the pretext of attending a wedding. He realises after touchdown that his former lover's daughter has been kidnapped and sets on the trail of the abductors. "The estranged lovers reunite by the end and Salman enjoyed that back story the most," the source adds.

Kshanam was made on a shoe-string budget of less than a crore but the source reveals that the remake will be mounted on a budget of at least Rs 80 crore. "Casting is currently underway. Bhai has his eyes set on his favourite co-star in recent times, Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Kick, Bajrangi Bhaijaan) to play the antagonist. The film requires a child as well. We'll have to wait and watch if the Bajrangi Bhaijaan cast reunites once again," the source signs off.

DNA (March 20, 2016)

There has been talk of producer Sajid Nadiadwala and Salman Khan coming together after Kick for a South remake. Sajid has just bought the Hindi remake rights of the new Telugu blockbuster Kshanam which tells the story of an NRI (Adivi Shesh) who returns to India to search for his ex-girlfriend’s missing daughter. Sajid says, “I keep an eye on cinema in all languages. But I don’t keep track of Hollywood films. There are so many exciting films being made in languages all over India. I try to watch as many of the new releases as possible. That’s how I saw Kshanam. I loved the way the story moved to an inevitable but unpredictable finale.” Let’s see if Salman gives his nod to this one.