Unique: Aanand L Rai on making sequels in Bollywood
Aanand L Rai is so delicate spoken and gentle natured that it’s troublesome to examine him as a tough taskmaster waving his whip round on the units, getting issues achieved via dint of power. Inform him that and he grins and says that generally light phrases are sufficient to maneuver giants. He’s a one among a sort filmmaker, not limiting himself to only one style however believes in throwing his web broad. And he doesn’t simply run after superstars however casts based on the calls for of his script. He has ventured into producing Marathi movies as properly and plans to segue into different regional cinemas quickly. He at all times speaks from the guts and doesn’t maintain again as I ask:
What prompted you to make a sequel to Haseen Dillruba?
A sequel is commonly warranted when the characters have advanced past the scope of the unique story. After Haseen Dillruba, I felt that whereas the story had reached a pure conclusion, the characters had grown in ways in which warranted additional exploration. The viewers responded with immense love for the sequel, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba reinforcing this resolution. In Haseen Dillruba, I used to be notably fascinated by how an organized marriage may rework right into a love story. Each Rani and Rishu have been so dedicated to their relationship that they have been keen to go to any lengths to be collectively. This complexity and depth of their characters made me consider that there was extra to discover.
Why did you select Taapsee Pannu to play the title function?
Each Manmarziyaan and Haseen Dillruba characteristic very demanding characters that push the boundaries of conventional roles. Taapsee Pannu was an excellent selection for these roles as a result of she totally immerses herself in her characters with out judgement. Her willingness to embrace advanced roles opens up a variety of alternatives for her. It’s essential for actors to permit the character to return to life via them, reasonably than imposing their very own judgments. Taapsee’s strategy, the place she utterly owns her characters, exemplifies this philosophy and contributes to her success in such difficult roles.
What units Vikrant Massey other than different actors?
Vikrant is an clever and inventive particular person. Each inventive actor or director has a sure self-interest in relation to their work, nevertheless it’s important that in addition they aspire to extra than simply changing into a star; they should deal with telling compelling tales. Whereas many actors are proficient, only some possess the conviction, religion and selflessness required to excel of their craft. After the passing of Irrfan Khan, many tales and roles appear to have remained untold, as filmmakers puzzled who may match his depth and depth. Vikrant has the calibre to fill that void. His dedication and authenticity are evident in his work. Actors like Irrfan Khan and Vikrant interact in such various and impactful roles that they stop the viewers from forming a single, limiting picture of them. By regularly taking up diversified characters, they continuously redefine their very own stardom.
You don’t stick to 1 style in relation to manufacturing. Why so?
The movies I direct are written by Himanshu Sharma and we usually take two to 2 and a half years to finish a movie. I’ve come to understand that I’m a workaholic. Whereas I’m immersed in a single story, I discover it helpful to work on two or three different tales with completely different administrators.
I’ve a deep appreciation for the work of Anurag Kashyap, Ashwini Iyer Tiwari and Kanika Dhillon. I select tales primarily based on my curiosity in them reasonably than their style. As an illustration, though horror or thrillers aren’t often my choice, I liked Tumbaad. It’s a movie with outstanding qualities. By way of themes, I’m drawn to tales that align with significant messages. For instance, Newton emphasised the significance of voting.
I become involved with a narrative as a result of I genuinely prefer it; I’m not centered on making it however on being part of it. I get pleasure from exploring completely different genres, it retains me engaged and prevents me from becoming bored.
Tanu Weds Manu stays near the viewers’s hearts even now. What do you assume is the rationale for that?
Maybe it was the honesty of the then-newbie director Aanand L Rai. At the moment, I had nothing to lose, so I didn’t worry shedding something. I used to be fearless and deeply in love with the story. I at all times fall in love with my characters and my actors as a result of they convey these characters to life. I really feel a profound sense of gratitude once they embrace and embody the characters I’ve created.
In all probability that’s why your actors keep linked with you…
From the second I entered this occupation, I used to be instructed that after a movie ends, the connection with the actors additionally ends. This used to scare me as a result of I nervous that if the actors who performed my characters distanced themselves from me, every part would really feel synthetic and I wouldn’t get pleasure from telling the story anymore. I’ve been lucky to obtain love from numerous sources, whether or not via movies, the viewers, household or buddies. That’s why my tales usually deal with love.
You’ve made movies which mirror the lives of widespread individuals and ladies and also you’ve additionally been concerned in celebrity autos like Zero and Raksha Bandhan, which didn’t do properly regardless of the hype…
Maybe the tales I select and the worlds I create have a pure requirement for ordinariness, during which these actors match completely. Madhavan, Dhanush or Kangana possess the standard of presenting themselves as strange individuals. Once I labored with an enormous star, I didn’t totally grasp that they’re considered in another way by the viewers as a consequence of their celebrity standing. Maybe portraying a star in a narrative requires a distinct strategy. This is why it’s usually mentioned that one is at all times a scholar of cinema.
Or is it that the superstars interfered within the movie a lot that the movie didn’t end up the approach you envisioned it?
That wasn’t the case in any respect. None of those stars ever threw their weight round or interfered with the script. If there have been points, I settle for duty for them. You possibly can’t place the success or failure of a movie solely on one actor. As a director, it’s my job to handle these points. I consider true success comes from accepting failure with a smile and acknowledging your personal errors.
After the failure of a movie, how do you pacify your self and make a brand new begin?
I don’t get depressed when a movie doesn’t succeed as a result of I by no means let myself get carried away through the filmmaking course of. If I didn’t get swept up then, I gained’t be introduced down. In case you let your work have an effect on you an excessive amount of,
it means you’re putting undue significance on your self. My success lies within the truth that I proceed to inform the tales I need to inform, no matter whether or not I earn kind of cash.
What’s the distinction between the viewers of Tanu Weds Manu then and right now’s viewers?
There’s positively a shift. For instance, Tanu Weds Manu Half 2 got here after a four-year hole and Himanshu needed to adapt his writing fashion for it. Success with the primary half doesn’t assure that the second half will do equally properly. Staying related to the viewers is essential. In case you don’t evolve between profitable movies, you danger not succeeding along with your subsequent one. Every new story reaches a brand new viewers. As an illustration, Raanjhanaa was launched in 2013, and the way in which the audiences perceived love then will differ from how they view it in 2025. An entire technology modifications in a decade, making it difficult to remain in sync with these shifts whereas telling your story.
Your subsequent movie with Dhanush is Tere Ishk Mein. How a lot has your equation modified with him over
the years?
Nothing has modified between us. He first got here to me as an actor, then grew to become a brother and now he seems like a son. From day one, he has been a unbelievable actor. It could have been troublesome to make Raanjhanaa with out him. I introduced him again for Atrangi Re. He has grown each as an actor and as an individual. I’m assured we’ll have numerous enjoyable working collectively on Tere Iskh Mein.
What would you wish to say in regards to the Gen-Z actors Sara Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor?
Each are very assured. Sara did a wonderful job in Atrangi Re with a layered character. What I hope for them is the flexibility to decide on the suitable tales. Aside from that, each of them are unbelievable. My solely recommendation is to not focus solely on the characters they need to play however to decide on the suitable tales they need to be part of.
What could be your recommendation to right now’s actors?
Earlier than making a movie, it’s vital to debate it totally. You must sit with the director and author. However the true magic occurs whenever you begin residing and respiration the venture on the set. Our job is to assist an actor attain their full potential and extract one of the best efficiency from them. If the director falls brief in any approach, it’s the actor’s obligation to fill that hole. Generally, an actor may even train a director a factor or two. This technology wants that type of collaboration. For instance, once I labored with Deepak Dobriyal in Tanu Weds Manu (2010), I learnt 4 helpful classes from him via the humour he dropped at the character of Pet. Deepak’s sense of comedy considerably influenced the movie’s uplifted tone. There are occasions when a director can’t obtain every part on their very own, and that’s the place the actor’s contribution turns into essential.
You could have been related to Himanshu and Kanika Dhillon for a very long time. How troublesome is it to keep up a relationship?
It’s vital to respect and perceive one another’s roles. I deeply admire Himanshu’s writing and have nice respect for him as a author. I consider that collaborating with like-minded people helps in telling a compelling story. I even have a long-standing affiliation with my workers and associates. I make an effort to construct sturdy bonds with everybody I work with.
Inform us about Ansh Duggal and Pragati Srivastava who might be seen in your subsequent rom-com Nakhrewaalii?
Each are unbelievable actors. We now want new faces to carry recent power to the business. This technology is daring and unafraid to talk their minds. I loved listening to their views and opinions. They carry a brand new, refreshing high quality to our work.
