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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; December 10, 2018)

After a decade of filmmaking, writer-director Raj Kumar Gupta, who is known for making edgy and provocative thrillers inspired by true-life events — Raid (2018) and No One Killed Jessica (2011) — will venture into production with his upcoming film. An espionage thriller titled India’s Most Wanted (IMW), it will star Arjun Kapoor. In a chat with BT, Raj spoke about his foray into production and shared his excitement about the eventful year that lies ahead…

2018 has been a good year for you. Not only did Raid (right) turn out to be a success, but you also managed to finish the shoot of your next — IMW. That’s two back-to-back films.
I finished the shoot of Raid in December 2017 and then finished IMW in November 2018. So, I have been lucky that everything worked out. After Ghanchakkar (2013), it took me almost four years to make Raid. When you are making a film, so many things can go wrong, but I am glad that didn’t happen this time around. Also, I could finish two films within a year, because I was working on IMW’s script for three years. During the post production of Raid, Arjun Kapoor called up and I gave him the script of IMW, and he totally loved it. I am thankful to the audience for appreciating my films over the years. I am ending 2018 on a happy note. It’s been fulfilling.

On the personal front, you got married this year to actress Myra Karn (who starred in No One Killed Jessica [pictured left]) ...
It has been a great year for me, personally and professionally. Thanks to back-to-back shoots, we weren’t able to spend time together, so now is the time for that. I came out of Raid, got married and right away started the shoot of IMW, so we deserved this break. We are off to Europe for a month.

Most of your films are based on real-life incidents and are an ode to unsung heroes. Are you more drawn to stories like that?
A story can be real or fictional, it has to inspire me. It’s not that I only dig reallife incidents or certain genres. It has to affect me enough for me to tell the story and compelling enough to evoke a reaction. Mostly, I write my own films so I look at it that way.

Writer, director and now producer, how difficult is it to don multiple hats?
It makes you more responsible. Writing and directing are two different processes. When I am a writer, I don’t consciously think about how a story will translate on the screen. Once I am done with writing, as a director, I hope to take the execution to a whole new level. When you do both, you understand the subject better. I am co-producing IMW with Fox Star Studios. This is my first feature film as a producer. It was great. I have a very efficient production team. They handle everything, while I just concentrate on writing and direction.

It took you three years to make IMW. That’s a long time...
Yes, it’s the longest that I’ve worked on a film. It is very close to my heart. One of the prime reasons was its story, which deals with the capturing of India’s Most Wanted terrorist, without firing a single bullet. This is the crux of the story, but other than that, there are various other facets to it that also inspired me.

What are you working on next?
I am writing two scripts at the moment. One will be a social drama and the other a biopic, which I am super-excited about. I have acquired the rights to make a film on the greatest RAW agent — the late Ravindra Kaushik (right), who was known as the Black Tiger. This is one film I have wanted to make for a long time. I have been working on its script for the past eight months. The casting will happen once I finish writing the script.

Your films are high on content and also entertaining. How do you strike that balance?
Human emotions are the same and we connect on the same level. So, if a story touches me, chances of it affecting others are also high. I always try and look at a story from a third person’s point of view to ensure that it has a universal appeal. I try to maintain integrity as a creative person. You have to be true to the characters and stories you write.

You started off in 2008 with Aamir. It’s been a decade of filmmaking for you. What has been the journey like?
Unless someone reminds me that, it doesn’t feel like 10 years. Filmmaking is not an easy process. You live so many lives with each film, so you don’t really get the time to mull over the years that have passed by. You get so consumed. The biggest lesson that I have learnt over the years is persistence. You have to keep going against all odds — budgeting, time constraint, etc. You have to be constantly positive and you cannot lose heart.

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; July 9, 2018)

Back from their honeymoon in Seychelles, the newly-weds — acclaimed filmmaker Raj Kumar Gupta and his actress wife Myra Karn — spill the beans on their love story in an exclusive conversation with Bombay Times. Myra, who has acted in Raj’s much-acclaimed film No One Killed Jessica, uses her father’s first name (Karn) as her surname. ‘I think Myra Karn Gupta would be too complicated’ she says, smiling. Raj eased into this personal interview slowly, as he prefers to let his work do the talking. Read on...

You seem to be extremely different as individuals. While Raj comes across as shy and introverted, Myra, you are outgoing. What drew you to each other?
Raj: Well, opposites attract (smiles). I could relate to her. She is intelligent, has a great sense of humour and is simple. And not to forget, beautiful.
Myra: His simplicity was refreshing.

Myra, when you date a person who’s shy, who makes the first move?
We were friends first. He never expressed it in words, but I could feel it. Also as you grow older, you begin to understand what a person has to say without he/she saying it. There was no ‘dating’ as such. Whenever I was abroad, he would fly down to meet me and that said it all.

Since you were thick friends before you started dating, did either of you fear getting friendzoned by the other?
Myra: When you are looking at spending the rest of your lives together, you want someone you know well rather than pondering about the fear of being stuck in a friend zone. In fact, there’s a certain comfort factor. I don’t feel like I am married. I have to remind myself of that!

What made you two finally take the plunge? Did you feel that the time is right, or were you sure that you had finally found ‘The One’?
Raj: It was on my mind for a while, but I have never planned my life, and our relationship, too, was organic. The marriage was instinctive, but the journey was long-drawn.
Myra: He proposed four times. First in Florence, then New York, Berlin and finally, London. I took my time, as it’s a big decision, but I was sure that if I ever got married, it would be to him.

Myra, we heard that you are a gym enthusiast...
I love working out and doing weights. Men in the gym get insecure when they see me lifting weights.

How was your honeymoon in Seychelles?
Myra: It was my first beach holiday. I did kayaking and snorkelling. I often end up traveling to cities when abroad, so this was a good change.
Raj: Since I am not a good swimmer, I just watched the waves. I prefer quiet places, but since I have chased Myra across the globe, I too have ended up in many cities.

Raj, you have spoken about Myra giving you creative inputs sometimes. How does that work?
As a friend, I discuss ideas and scripts with her. Whenever I want a different perspective or a female perspective, I go to her.

Myra, why haven’t you done a single film after No One Killed Jessica?
I got offers from reputed filmmakers, but I didn’t feel like pursuing acting. Coming from an academic background (she is an engineer), acting wasn’t my goal. Even No One... happened by chance. Raj convinced me to do it. I never craved for money or fame. I am more comfortable behind the camera. I just produced a short film and another Bollywood film is in the making. I like to do my own thing.

Will we see you two collaborate in the future?
Raj: As a director, if she offers me a good script, I will make her film. But the script needs to have that appeal.

Meena Iyer (DNA; June 21, 2018)

Rajkumar Gupta, who has helmed Raid (2018) and No One Killed Jessica (NOKJ) (2011), finally decided to marry his discovery, Myra Karn, in Ranchi yesterday. The romance, however, seems to be seven years old.

There were hush-hush rumours about them when he launched the North Indian girl, with high cheekbones and mirthful laughter, as Jessica in the Rani Mukerji-Vidya Balan real-life drama, NOKJ. Soon after the film’s success, Raj tried to make another movie for her called Rapchik Romance (2012). However, he couldn’t pull it off and it remained a pipe dream for the last six years. During this time, Myra travelled the world while Raj, who was partly-ostracised after his Emraan Hashmi-Vidya Balan-starrer Ghanchakkar (2013) got dismal reviews, went into hibernation.

But he always had potential enough to make a comeback and it was Ajay Devgn who brought him out of cold storage with Raid. The film was a resounding hit and the bespectacled filmmaker couldn’t get enough of the accolades that followed. A studio giant grabbed him for a terror thriller, starring Arjun Kapoor and soon a couple of stray announcements followed. However, what people do not know is that all of Raj’s creative pursuits have a major contribution from Myra, who has been busy researching stories and angles for her filmmaker-husband.

Of course, as is the classic case in Bollywood, Raj, who seems shy, never committed to the girl. So, they were two separate entities all these years. She lived in Khar while he stayed in Santacruz and they both brainstormed with each other at his rented office in Juhu, pouring over innumerable scripts.

Sometimes, they invited common acquaintances (like me) for lunch. And they felt free to discuss their film scripts in off-the-record-mode with Myra sounding more passionate than Raj on many an occasion. And though she looked extraordinarily comfortable in the surroundings, neither of them openly addressed their personal feelings for each other. “We are good friends,” is all that they said till yesterday.

But for all these years, you could see that they were trying hard to hide an equation. When Raj thanked her specially for Raid in the credits and I asked him the reason for the same, he replied, “She helped me a lot to meet IT officers and gave me creative inputs on the script.” Raj also specified, “Myra didn’t want it at all, but I thought it would be wrong since I am thanking everyone else who helped.”

So, there you go. Now Raj has decided to give his ladylove a lifelong commitment. Here’s wishing this couple a happy married life!

BOMBAY TIMES (June 20, 2018)

Actress Myra Karn, who played Jessica Lall in the 2011 movie, No One Killed Jessica, is all set to marry her director friend Raj Kumar Gupta.

Raj, who is known for films like Aamir (2008), No One Killed Jessica and Raid (2018), told BT exclusively, “We have been friends for long. I proposed to Myra this February and we decided to settle down.” The lovely couple is looking forward to taking the next steps in their relationship. The marriage ceremony is taking place in Ranchi today. The wedding will be an intimate affair and will be attended by family members and close friends.

Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 12, 2014)

Disney UTV, which was to produce the film adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's bestseller, Revolution 2020, is out of the project. So is director Raj Kumar Gupta.

The studio had the film rights of the 2011 novel for two years, which was extended to another year. The deadline expired on November 9 and Chetan decided not to renew the deal following friction between him and Gupta as well as financial disagreements with the studio.

Mirror had earlier reported (August 12) that the director wanted to cast Myra Karn whom he had launched in No One Killed Jessica, as the leading lady. After several closed-door meetings, he gave up on Myra and agreed to cast a more 'saleable' face. Talks were on with Alia Bhatt while Arjun Kapoor stepped in for Rajkummar Rao, to play Gopal, one of the two male protogonists.

However, since August the project has been in cold storage because Chetan wasn't impressed with Gupta's final screenplay. "He didn't think it was commercial and now wants to take the project to others who have expressed interest," says a source. "After the deadline on the rights expired, he spoke to the studio's head, Siddharth Roy Kapur and the two have decided to part ways. Now, Chetan will also be co-producing the film with a new maker."

When contacted, Chetan was guarded on the subject: "The rights have reverted to me and I'm figuring out the remaining formalities with the studio."

A spokesperson from UTV said, "We have had a long and fruitful association with Chetan on Kai Po Che, 2 States and Kick, and would be happy to collaborate with him on future adaptations of his books. In such projects it is important for both parties to be on the same page, creatively and commercially, and if we are, we will definitely work together again."

Raj Kumar Gupta's muse says she has "quit" Revolution 2020 to keep a prior commitment
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 15, 2014)

Myra Karn is out of Revolution 2020, director Raj Kumar Gupta stays on... Buzz is, she was dropped from the project because the producers wanted a more 'saleable' name. But Myra tells Mirror that she quit the project because the dates kept changing.

Myra who got her big break in Raj Kumar Gupta's No One Killed Jessica, in which she played Jessica, admits that she had read Chetan Bhagat's bestseller on which the film is based. "The producers sent me a copy," she reveals.

She even had a contract with the studio and asserts that she was the first choice for the role with both the producer and the director. "We were supposed to start in June. The makers knew I had prior commitments. Since we couldn't stick to the original schedule, they were gracious enough to let me go. I'm flying off to New York, I am not sure when and if I will return," she says.

She adds, "I don't know why people are making a big deal about my exit from 2020. In the past too, I have let go of so many projects and never spoken about them."

The big deal is being made because grapevine has it that she is dating Gupta. And he was the one who insisted on having her in the film because he is obsessed with her. They are said to be living together.

Myra is incredulous. "I am not dating Raj and I stay in Juhu while he in Andheri. If he were obssessed with me, wouldn't he have cast me in the film he made after No One killed Jessica, Ghanchakkar? Why would he have made me wait till Revolution 2020? Raj is a sensible, forthright and talented director whose integrity can never be doubted. Nobody can compel him to do anything," she asserts.

As she packs her bags, Myra insists that she was never a victim of the 'casting couch'. "Raj Kumar and I were friends even before he cast me as Jessica. He said he will create magic for me." Well, did the magic fade?

Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 12, 2014)

A creative crisis is brewing in the boardrooms of a major studio that is producing the screen adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's bestselling novel, Revolution 2020. Mirror has learnt that in a recent development, director Raj Kumar Gupta (best known for No One Killed Jessica), has quit the project following creative differences over the film's cast.

Revealed a source from the production, "After the success of 2 States which was also an adaptation of another Chetan Bhagat bestseller, the studio was categorical that this film needed saleable names."

The source adds that even though Rajkummar Rao offered the excuse of date clashes for dropping out of the project, the real reason was that the studio thought his commercial viability was still suspect, and started negotiating with Arjun Kapoor who was an easy name to market after his recent hits. While Gupta agreed to Arjun coming on board, he was insistent that his muse, Myra Karn, be cast as the female lead, Aarti. Incidentally, Myra got her big screen break with Gupta's directorial, No One Killed Jessica (2011), in which she essayed the role of Jessica Lall.

When Mirror had previously contacted Gupta on Myra's inclusion in the film being hotly contested by the studio, he had told us, "Myra is a future star and a talent to watch out for. She will be a part of Revolution 2020."

Around the same time, Chetan Bhagat had tweeted, "Who should be Aarti in the Revolution 2020 movie? Think and tell. Thanks for your help." This despite Gupta's insistence that Myra is the leading lady of the film. In an interview to Mirror (April 21), Chetan had even said that he thinks Alia would be perfect for Aarti.

However, since he has extensively worked on the film's screenplay, he's still trying to negotiate with the studio. But talks with other directors have reportedly begun. When Mirror got in touch with Gupta yesterday, he said, "I don't want to talk about this at the moment." When asked if he will be directing the film, he replied with an abrupt, "No comments."

Despite repeated attempts, the studio remained unavailable for comment.

Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; April 23, 2014)

We know that Chetan Bhagat’s fifth novel Revolution 2020 is being made into a film by Raj Kumar Gupta. Revolution 2020 is a love triangle that deals with unrequited love and corruption. As per the book, the story has three main characters — Gopal, Raghav and Aarti. Gopal and Raghav are childhood friends. Gopal loves Aarti right from his childhood. But his love is unrequited when she falls in love with Raghav. Gopal is poor and does not manage to get through a top college due to his low grades, but manages to build an engineering college with the help of an influential and corrupt MLA Shuklaji and becomes rich. Meanwhile, Raghav after graduating from a top college, works as a journalist and campaigns for social change, exposing scams including the educational institution by Gopal built with the help of the corrupt MLA Shuklaji. While in the book, we know who Aarti choose finally between Raghav and Gopal, we will wait to see the adapted story in Raj Kumar Gupta’s film. We have learnt that National award-winning actor of Shahid and one of the current favourites Rajkummar Rao has been chosen to play Gopal, while Myra, who earlier played Jessica’s character in Raj Kumar Gupta’s No One Kille Jessica, will be playing Aarti. We will of course, continue tracking who plays Raghav. 

Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; January 8, 2014)

Love is said to make the world go round and if you work in the film industry, it can also help you bag a film project. At least that’s what it looks like if the latest news on the grapevine is anything to go by. Industry insiders say that director Raj Kumar Gupta is going all out and making a film for Myra Karn, best known for playing Jessica in his film, No One Killed Jessica. The two are rumoured to be romantically involved for quite some time now, and it looks like Raj Kumar is gung ho about offering his girlfriend a launchpad with his next film.

Not surprisingly, Myra will be playing the lead role in the film. On his part, Raj Kumar says that it’s still too early to talk about the project. “Right now I am working on the script, so a lot depends on what shape the script will take. I can speak more only once I am done writing,” he says. Ask him about Myra being his love interest and the filmmaker remains nonchalant. “I don’t want to comment on it,” comes the reply. Raj Kumar Gupta’s last film, Ghanchakkar, had Emraan Hashmi and Vidya Balan leading the cast and it fared below expectations at the box-office.