Post by nisa on Apr 19, 2008 23:55:15 GMT 12
“I have had 50 drinks in one go!”-Ajay Devgan
[Interview by SAVIO ZACHARIA]
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Hi Ajay, It’s your first film as director. What’s running on your mind?
Honestly, I’m not nervous at all. I’m just happy that the film is over and everything is ready. The advance response in Delhi and Punjab has been very good.
Tell me about how you arrived at the subject of this film?
It’s basically an idea I had. It has been with me been over the past 2-3 years. The whole positivity in the story telling is what excited me.
How does it feel acting and directing at the same time?
It’s not all difficult. It just requires a lot of hard work.
How did the thought of direction come in after so many years?
I always wanted to be a director. I started off my career as an assistant director to Shekar Kapur before entering as an actor. I was so kicked about direction that I used to even edit at the age of 17.
So what would you like to put across with this film?
Basically there isn’t anything in particular. At the end of the movie if a couple sitting next to each other hold hands or a single person things about how much he/she thinks about his/her loved ones; I think I would have achieved something.
Was Kajol always your first choice? And tell us about her growth as an actor with this film?
(With a smirk) Actually Kajol left me with no choice at all. The moment she heard the script she was charged about it. As every other actor, Kajol too grows with every film. I think she understands the medium of cinema much better now.(Pauses) See me and Kajol can go on praising each other over and over.
Tell us a little about the salsa sequence and music of the film?
Well the salsa sequence wasn’t tough for me. (Chuckles)Being the director I only chose the easy steps. As for the music of the film it has truly been credited to Vishal who really understood the lyrics and got me Munna the right lyricist. If you listen to the songs it’s just apt.
What does the title signify and how did you arrive at it?
The title started off with Kajal in Hindi and then Robin Bhatt got the U Me Aur Hum element. The title signifies that two separate individuals with ‘U’ and ‘Me’ come together in their complete uniqueness and diversities and bond to become one-‘Hum’.
The character Ajay in the film has 24 drinks before he actually proposes to the girl, how realistic is that and is it too hard to express oneself?
Why not! I have had 50 drinks in one go. Check out my office , here itself you will find ten such bewdaas(drunkards). (Laughs)… Alcohol has just been used in a light manner to add humour in the film.
Did you ever propose to Kajol like that?
Actually I never proposed to Kajol. In fact we became such good friends that we never realized how we got here.
A lot of people are drawing comparisons to you and Aamir Khan, what’s your take on Taare Zameen Par?
I haven’t watched it.
With Krazzy4 also releasing this week are you a little insecure?
Films are two separate entities. Today there is lots of space for different films. If both are good, both will work.
You did screen your film to Mr.L.K.Advani , what was his response?
Honestly the first half of the film is filled with lots of Humour and is peppy but the second half is what takes a turn as I didn’t want to make either a commercial film or a niche one but rather a commercially niche one. Mr. Advani too was perplexed till the first half but at the end of the film we received a 7 minute standing ovation.
How do you analyze your career so far?
I don’t analyze anything. I don’t look behind at the past and after Friday I will soon forget everything about U Me Aur Hum also.
So what’s next for Ajay Devgan?
Well I have Toonpur with Kajol then there is Golmaal returns, London dreams and Rajkumar Santoshi’s next.
Is all well between you and Mr.Santoshi?
Very much. He has my July-August dates. I have to meet him. There is no problem between us at all.
[Interview by SAVIO ZACHARIA]
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Hi Ajay, It’s your first film as director. What’s running on your mind?
Honestly, I’m not nervous at all. I’m just happy that the film is over and everything is ready. The advance response in Delhi and Punjab has been very good.
Tell me about how you arrived at the subject of this film?
It’s basically an idea I had. It has been with me been over the past 2-3 years. The whole positivity in the story telling is what excited me.
How does it feel acting and directing at the same time?
It’s not all difficult. It just requires a lot of hard work.
How did the thought of direction come in after so many years?
I always wanted to be a director. I started off my career as an assistant director to Shekar Kapur before entering as an actor. I was so kicked about direction that I used to even edit at the age of 17.
So what would you like to put across with this film?
Basically there isn’t anything in particular. At the end of the movie if a couple sitting next to each other hold hands or a single person things about how much he/she thinks about his/her loved ones; I think I would have achieved something.
Was Kajol always your first choice? And tell us about her growth as an actor with this film?
(With a smirk) Actually Kajol left me with no choice at all. The moment she heard the script she was charged about it. As every other actor, Kajol too grows with every film. I think she understands the medium of cinema much better now.(Pauses) See me and Kajol can go on praising each other over and over.
Tell us a little about the salsa sequence and music of the film?
Well the salsa sequence wasn’t tough for me. (Chuckles)Being the director I only chose the easy steps. As for the music of the film it has truly been credited to Vishal who really understood the lyrics and got me Munna the right lyricist. If you listen to the songs it’s just apt.
What does the title signify and how did you arrive at it?
The title started off with Kajal in Hindi and then Robin Bhatt got the U Me Aur Hum element. The title signifies that two separate individuals with ‘U’ and ‘Me’ come together in their complete uniqueness and diversities and bond to become one-‘Hum’.
The character Ajay in the film has 24 drinks before he actually proposes to the girl, how realistic is that and is it too hard to express oneself?
Why not! I have had 50 drinks in one go. Check out my office , here itself you will find ten such bewdaas(drunkards). (Laughs)… Alcohol has just been used in a light manner to add humour in the film.
Did you ever propose to Kajol like that?
Actually I never proposed to Kajol. In fact we became such good friends that we never realized how we got here.
A lot of people are drawing comparisons to you and Aamir Khan, what’s your take on Taare Zameen Par?
I haven’t watched it.
With Krazzy4 also releasing this week are you a little insecure?
Films are two separate entities. Today there is lots of space for different films. If both are good, both will work.
You did screen your film to Mr.L.K.Advani , what was his response?
Honestly the first half of the film is filled with lots of Humour and is peppy but the second half is what takes a turn as I didn’t want to make either a commercial film or a niche one but rather a commercially niche one. Mr. Advani too was perplexed till the first half but at the end of the film we received a 7 minute standing ovation.
How do you analyze your career so far?
I don’t analyze anything. I don’t look behind at the past and after Friday I will soon forget everything about U Me Aur Hum also.
So what’s next for Ajay Devgan?
Well I have Toonpur with Kajol then there is Golmaal returns, London dreams and Rajkumar Santoshi’s next.
Is all well between you and Mr.Santoshi?
Very much. He has my July-August dates. I have to meet him. There is no problem between us at all.