Salman a pleasant surprise: Ghai Trans World Features
He is the master who has survived all odds. And despite his last two films creating ripples at the box office, he can never be ruled out. That’s Subhash Ghai, the man behind some of the biggest and most memorable hits in the form starting from Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, and Karma to Ram Lakhan, Saudagar, Khalnayak and Pardes. And every time he is ready with a film it evokes curiosity and expectations. This time too Ghai is all set to create waves with his multi-starrer Yuvvraaj. The ace director speaks to TWF correspondent Ritesh Sharma about Yuvvraaj and more
Are you nervous before the release of Yuvvraaj? It’s indeed a big film.
(Chuckles) Do you think I need to be nervous any more? The kind of films I have made is proof enough. I am excited and elated.
No, but your last films Black & White didn’t work.
That happens at times. In a career spanning more than 30 years, one film might not work out. That’s fine. You must watch Yuvvraaj. It’s going to be good and it does have a few pleasant surprises too.
Did you watch Karz…I mean the remade version?
No yaar… But I would love to. I was so busy these days with Yuvvraaj that I couldn’t manage time.
But are you happy with the idea of your films being remade?
Of course I am. Who wouldn’t have been? It is a complement for every director whose films are considered for remake. In fact I was very happy when Bhushan Kumar came to me with this request. There was no reason not to give them permission to remake Karz… I have no problems if other films of mine are also remade.
Films you personally would like to remake or want others to do so?
(Thinks….) There are actually so many. Personally I won’t remake any of my films but…yes there are so many of them that can have a remake. Karma, Hero, Khalnayak and so on, maybe even Saudagar.
Yuvvraaj is being said to be the biggest film you have made so far and all eyes are set on.
I would rather partly agree and partly disagree. It’s definitely a big film but not the biggest film by Shubhash Ghai. If we compare with my earlier films I think there are other films that are bigger. Probably at that time Saudagar was the biggest film I had made or maybe Karma. Yuvvraaj is definitely big.
So what does one expect from Yuvvraaj?
A lot… (smiles). I have given it a grand look and have used the best possible technology available to me. One should simply watch it because it’s a Subhash Ghai film. People know what Subhash Ghai films are like. I make commercial cinema and they should go with all the expectations they would like to have in a commercial film.
You are known to be a very passionate storyteller…
You can’t do without that if you are making a commercial cinema and I know I am known for that. My films have emotion, good music, family values, action, romance… everything. Give me one film I have made which isn’t passionate? I make family entertainers that one will enjoy.
Is Yuvvraaj a story of three brothers?
Yes… it’s about brotherhood, love and family values again. But I must say that there are not three but four characters, which includes Katrina (Kaif), which have equal importance. The story revolves around three brothers…it’s about inhering their father’s property after his death.
And Katrina plays Salman’s love interest…
Yes…they will be seen in a never seen before role. So far one has seen Salman and Katrina together in films but not exactly opposite each other. I have tried to portray them in a very realistic way… exactly the way they are in real life. So it’s a lovely relationship that one will get to see.
Apparently you have given Salman Khan a new look, and he looks almost the same he looked 20 years ago.
I have always seen Salman as a good actor despite the immense star power. So my point was to extract the best out of him and get the actor out of him and in doing so I have given him a new look. He comes as a pleasant surprise with this film. Everyone sees him as a star but I saw him both ways.
And what about Anil Kapoor? You two seem to be sharing a never ending bond.
Oh… he is like my brother. It’s more than 20 years now that we first worked and Anil has a certain respect for me. And I love him for that. It’s definitely a great chemistry and bonding we share. I have always given him the best roles. This time too he plays a very difficult role and has done his job with élan. I have always given Anil hits and in return he has given me hits. I always reserve good roles for him because I know his talent.
So a lot to expect from Yuvvraaj…
At least you can expect good cinema where entertainment is guaranteed.
