My friendship with Abhishek is not dependent on films: Rohan Sippy

Having worked with Abhishek Bachchan in all his movies, producer-director Rohan Sippy has now got his buddy to do a cameo as himself, in his next untitled venture. Refuting rumours about his plans to cast Abhishek in this new film, Rohan says...

Having worked with Abhishek Bachchan in all his movies, producer-director Rohan Sippy has now got his buddy to do a cameo as himself, in his next untitled venture. Refuting rumours about his plans to cast Abhishek in this new film, Rohan says, “That was never the case. This film was always supposed to be a smaller one with younger actors, not Abhishek. I knew he was caught up for a while with Dhoom 3 and a couple of other big commitments.”

HT Image

With Kuch Naa Kaho (2003), Bluffmaster (2005), and Dum Maaro Dum (2011), Rohan seems to share a special bond with Jr Bachchan. Does he think of Abhishek while planning every film then? Rohan smiles, “Not every time. My friendship with Abhishek isn’t dependent on working together or hits or flops. Even if I never work with him all my life, I would be as good a friend of his as I am today. I don’t equate work and friendship; these are two very different things. When we work together, we know it is because it is a professional decision.”

However, Rohan agrees that Abhishek is a lucky charm for him and that’s why he had to be part of his new film even if it is a cameo. “Yes, it’s great fun to have him in the film. When I told him about it, he said ‘make sure I am part of it’. So now he is doing a cameo for which we have worked out something fun, keeping his schedule in mind. We hope to shoot early in August, before he starts working on Dhoom 3.”

Excited to have two comic talents in his film, Rohan adds, “This new film is a fun buddy-comedy with Ayushmann Khurrana and Kunal Roy Kapoor in the lead. Ayushmann is comfortable on screen and has a warm presence, which is essential for the central character in this film. We have started rehearsals and I am looking forward to shooting in 10 days.” Rohan is still looking for fresh faces for the female leads.