In our line more success means more money for the producers
Every top actor and producer in the country wants to work with
him right now. Presenting Bollywood’s most wanted man — Rohit Shetty
Afsana Ahmed
The best thing about Rohit Shetty is that he doesn’t claim to
make movies for the intellectuals. He is a director of popular cinema and he
would rather earn mass audience than earn a few nondescript stars (by film
critics) which have no value for him. While he is scorned, the fact of the
matter is that the guy knows how to make a well-crafted popular film, even
when the content doesn’t merit any sense and significance.
That is why it is interesting to delve into the mind of the man,
who makes movies that overflow with idiocy but bring in the laughs. “So long as
my audiences understand my intent and laugh with me, I’m fine. My audience is
my king,” says the critic-proof, new rock star of the box-office.
Emerging as one of the high-ranking directors of our time, who
has had uninterrupted success with seven back-to-back hits, Rohit has once
again taken the box office by storm with Chennai Express (CE ) crashing
every possible record and crossing the R200 crore mark.
Over to Rohit.
How does it feel to be the man of the moment?
The opening of the film was fairly unprecedented and it left all
of us very happy. But I’m realistic enough to understand that six months down the
line another blockbuster will come and smash the records of our film. Now,
coming to your question, I do not feel that I’m the man of the moment. There’s
a lovely saying by Michael Jordan that ‘talent wins games, but teamwork (and
intelligence) wins championships.’ CE is clearly a team effort. We have
all worked very hard on it.
You must be struggling to keep tab on the movie offers
pouring in.
It’s a great feeling that everyone wants to work with you. But I
think everyone knows that my calendar is set and announced, so unfortunately
I’m not inundated with any extra feelers. Nobody has called me (laughs). I’m
starting Singham 2 in December and after that a film with Shah Rukh Khan again.
I’m writing the story and discussions about it are going at a rapid pace.
BOX
More success means more power and more money. Are you getting
better with money and enjoying the power?
In our line, more success means more money for the producers
(smiles). Yes, a little bit of power comes along with success and helps everyone
if a film takes off. But nothing is permanent in any business and things are
more transitory in show business. So, honestly I want to make some money fast.
You’ve entered the exclusive club of brand names now. That must
feel good, right?
Well, I was always proud of being who I am. But with seven
back-to-back hits, I slowly see my name being taken with more respect. But
honestly in my personal space, I’m yet to figure out what exactly being a brand
ensues. I’m aware that there are many pros and cons and most certainly it is a
big pressure to live up to the expectations. Actually it’s a bit scary or maybe
my unfamiliarity with this space is making me talk like this.
BOX:
If you had the option of asking one thing from these five stars
what would that be?
Shah Rukh Khan : Start my movie immediately. I miss you a lot.
Salman Khan: Let’s do a film together. If I go to you, don’t say no.
Akshay Kumar: Start your day a little late. I almost walked in my sleep when I
had to meet him thrice for 6 am meetings.
Aamir Khan : Work with Rohit Shetty.
Ajay Devgan: Keep loving me always.
It’s common knowledge that Shah Rukh Khan’s star power drove
audiences to the theatres. But the fact also remains that you are the
captain of the ship. Why are you shying away from sharing the credit?
Alright, I was navigating the ship but without Shah Rukh Khan we
would have sunk midway. He’s the most generous producer I’ve ever met;
he’s my star and guide. He never questioned me, or discussed anything when
I talked about the budget. He never had a doubt in his mind about my
suggestions. He stood by me like a rock, so in such circumstances it’s natural
not to feel elated because CE is not my lone effort.
BOX
There was a recent report that your half-brother (Hriday Shetty,
from your dad’s first marriage) had disowned you? Does that hurt?
Naturally it was awkward for me when the report came out. My
mother was also extremely upset. But he and I spoke about it and he denied it.
He said that he didn’t say any such cheap thing. It was twisted to suit the
nature of the gossip of the publication. My brothers and I talk to each
other. The other day he texted me saying he loved Chennai Express. Anyway, we
don’t have any problems as it was made out to be.
PAGE 2:
I’ll be a terrible actor because I’m very conscious before the
camera
I’m God’s chosen child
Your karma should be good and everything else will follow.
Continued from P 1
BOX
Critics usually pan your movies. Most of them haven’t spared
even Chennai Express. How upsetting was it?
I don’t take them seriously as so far they haven’t given me a
reason to do so. I believe when something is made from the heart, it connects
easily. My films do not promise anything more than just some silly laughs. It’s
not for those who analyse such movies as case studies. It’s not for cynics and
self-proclaimed intellectuals. A true intellectual in any field will be
critical and analytical in the right and healthy sense. It’s a treat to get
feedback from such beautiful minds, but sadly India largely lacks professional
critics that exist in western countries. A lot of hard work goes into the
making of a film, whether I do it or another director does it, and I strongly
feel that they should give us that much of credit. Don’t make us look like
buffoons. Also, this set of critics change their opinions everyMonday. They all
text you excitedly on Friday. The next day, you see the reviews. Who
cares? What we genuinely wait for nowadays is the audience’s reaction. It is my
king.
What do you consider as the turning point in your life,
work-wise?
It would be my first Golmaal (2006), which changed everything
around me. By God’s grace, I never had to look back. Things just started
unfolding for me.
Who is your favourite star today?
That’s a tricky question, but I will answer it. Amitabh
Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn are the three people I admire the most.
From the younger lot, I like Ranbir Kapoor’s work.
You’ve worked with Shah Rukh and Ajay. Have you ever offered a
film to your idol Amitabh Bachchan?
Even though Amitji (Bachchan) has seen me from childhood,
somehow I’m still scared when he is around. As a child, I used to go to the
sets of his films with dad (veteran stunt-master MB Shetty) and would quietly
observe him from a distance. Recently, he shot a song for me in Bol Bachchan
(2012). I would love to work with him. It’s my dream and hopefully as and when
it comes true, I hope to not be dumbstruck on the sets and be able to direct
him. I seriously want to write a script for him.
What kind of role would you write for Mr Bachchan?
I want to see him in a hardcore commercial film with great
action sequences and cars flying across. I also want to see him indulging in
some energetic dance. It has to be a rock star role! I’ll write it soon,
but before taking it to him I have to be convinced about it.
Your personal story is quite inspiring. Is there a
lucky mascot from the past that has always been with you?
I’m God’s chosen child. So, I don’t worry or carry anything
extra to feel the strength. I’ve always felt the power of God beside me. For
people who do not understand the depth of such a feeling I can just say,
there’s God in honesty, truth and sincerity. And your strength lies in just
instilling these qualities in you.
On the physical level, I always keep my team with me. They’re my
lucky mascots. They guide me, keep me grounded and criticise me, and I always
listen to them. I get to learn a lot from my team. I don’t get to show my
gratitude to them, but through this article, I want to thank them. They’re
most valuable to me. They were the first ones to see the first promo of CE, and
rejected it straightaway. I trust them immensely.
Are you religious?
Your karma should be
good and everything else will follow. You’re running because of your luck and
it is your karma that takes over when luck is not in your favour. Your good
karma will always win over your bad luck. I’ve seen a lot. Today, we have
four SUVs in my house. But there was a time when I used to travel in the local
train to reach my school.
How did your closest friend Ajay, react to your success with
Shah Rukh?
He is very happy for me.
When successful, everyone has someone to express gratitude to.
Other than your mother and God, whom would you like to thank?
Behind every successful individual, there’s always more than one
person. I would want to thank Ajay for getting me out of oblivion and for
giving me a place in the sun. I remember one day, actor-director-writer Neeraj
Vora came to my office to narrate a play that he had done. The play was called Aflatoon,
which became Golmaal. I would also thank Shah
Rukh for helping me carry forward my dream by giving me this movie. I had gone
to him with the script of the Angoor (1982) remake. But, he chose CE which had
been written and kept with me since 2008. I didn’t work on it as I wasn’t
getting the right cast for it. I think it was meant for Shah Rukh.
Given a choice, would you redo any of your films?
No. I’m extremely happy with the way my films have turned up. I
wouldn’t want to touch them. If you’re talking about remaking my own
films, I think my films are too young to be remade. And, a caution to
all, nobody should think of remaking my film for the coming twenty years.
Would you like to remake someone else’s film?
If I reveal the name of the film that I may plan to remake at
some point in life, people will immediately jump and probably get the rights
of the movie, thinking ‘Yeh movie mein kuch khaas hoga’ (there’s
certainly something special about the film). And before I know it, they will
announce it as their project. So, it’s better for me to keep quiet.
Owing to your looks and physique, people feel that you can
easily become an actor in Bollywood. Has the thought ever tempted you?
Oh no. I’ll be a terrible actor because I’m very conscious
before the camera. I’m also bad at emoting. Nobody will come to watch a film
that features me.
Who is your favourite heroine from the past and the current lot?
Hema Malini and Nutan were my childhood crushes! I met Hemaji
once when dad took me to the set of a film. Both these ladies stole my
heart with their beauty and grace. I still remember the song ‘Dil ka bhanwar’
from Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963) that picturised on Dev sahab (Anand) and
Nutanji. Her expressions in the song were mind-blowing. From the current lot, I
would say Kareena (Kapoor), because I have worked with her and she’s like a
family member. I’m quite close to her. Deepika (Padukone) is another actress
who has managed to make her place in the industry. She’s matured amazingly as an
actor. I really admire Priyanka Chopra as a performer too.
I’ve heard that you’re working with Salman Khan in Karan Johar’s
production.
Yes, the film that I’m doing with Karan will be a hardcore
commercial film. But, I haven’t finalised the story yet. And, till the time we
don’t have the final script, there’s no point in discussing the star.
How will you carry forward your father’s legacy?
There isn’t anything so big for us to carry forward. Yes, I will
keep his name alive by working hard with a lot of honesty. Somewhere up there
he’s happily watching us.
We heard that there would be two choppers waiting outside the
sets always?
Not always, but for sequences which required their assistance,
there were two choppers standing by at any given time. That’s a big thing
though. That is what I mean by producer Shah Rukh Khan’s generosity. But I
would also like to give credit to the team. My cameraman, dialogue writers
Sajid-Farhad, story writer, editing team, action directors, stars, music
directors, spot boys, drivers and everyone else.
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