For 20 odd years, he has eked out a livelihood, crafting dhoom-dhadaka movies.. some megabusters, some gone-with-the-Friday types. Now, he wants to switch over to the comic genre. Over to Anil Sharma:
Trade papers have announced that you're making a comedy.
(Fiddling with his locks) Most of my films.. whether Tehelka or Gadar.. have light-hearted moments, which lifted the films considerably. But I've never made a fullfledged comedy.. now, I want to make one. Right now, I'm working on two-three scripts.. let's see which one I start first.
Isn't there a project with the Zee group?
Bahut saare projects chal rahe hai.. there are many offers. I'm a normal human being.. I can't do more than two projects at a time.. if I do take up more work, I'm afraid I won't do justice to them.
Although Apne has been declared a success, some trade experts say it hasn't fared as well as it is made out to be. Respond please.
(Surprised) Who says Apne is a flop? There may have been a slump in the business due to constant rain in Mumbai.. but it's a huge success all over the world. It's U K, U S and all-India figures speak for itself.
I remember a particular incident in San Francisco. A lady came up to me and said she wants to see the film. I told her to give me her reaction after she watches it. You won't believe she waited till 1:30 in the night for me.. when I came out of the theatre, she said, "I loved Apne. Thanks for making such a heart-tugging film." Need I say more?
(Smiles) I won't. That's my only problem. My association with Dharamji (Dharmendra) dates back to our Burning Train days. Since then, I have worked with all of them.. Dharamji, Sunny and Bobby.
By working exclusively with the Deols, aren't you losing out on an opportunity to work with other talented actors in showbiz?
I have worked with Amitji (Amitabh Bachchan) and Akshay Kumar amongst other actors. With the Deols, the advantage is that they bring value to a project. So do Amitji and Akshay.
Aren't you re-launching your brother Kapil in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron?
You can say that. Jaane.. will release this year. I couldn't give Kapil a bigger role in Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon because Amitji and Akshay had important roles in it. But even in a brief role, Kapil made an impact.
After Gadar and The Hero, every film you make is thought out to be provocative and jingoistic.. endorsing anti-Pakistan rhetoric?
(Sternly) It's a misconception that Gadar and The Hero had anti-Pakistan contents.
It is said that Gadar's release and its success interrupted the ongoing peace-process in 2001.
Oh, that's rubbish. In fact, people across the border liked Gadar. Those who say that Gadar is antiPakistan, I'd request them to please watch it again.. and then talk to me.
Aren't you re-launching your brother Kapil in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron?
You can say that. Jaane.. will release this year. I couldn't give Kapil a bigger role in Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon because Amitji and Akshay had important roles in it. But even in a brief role, Kapil made an impact.
After Gadar and The Hero, every film you make is thought out to be provocative and jingoistic.. endorsing anti-Pakistan rhetoric?
(Sternly) It's a misconception that Gadar and The Hero had anti-Pakistan contents.
It is said that Gadar's release and its success interrupted the ongoing peace-process in 2001.
Oh, that's rubbish. In fact, people across the border liked Gadar. Those who say that Gadar is antiPakistan, I'd request them to please watch it again.. and then talk to me.
It was a realistic portrayal of that time. Personally, I've always been a peace-loving person. Why should I harm anybody's sentiments?