To tell you the truth, I was very tired after completing Krrish. It had taken a lot of my energy and I wanted to take a break very badly. At the same time, I did not want to have a big gap between my films and hence wanted to roll my next film after Krrish. I had promised Jaideep Sen who had assisted me while I was making Krrish a break.
To what extent were you involved with the making of Krazzy 4?
Though I did not go to the sets when Jaideep was directing the film, I should concede that I was part of the whole film for the simple reason that it was made by my own office Filmcraft Productions (India) Private Ltd. Even when I was making Krrish, Jaideep used to have good suggestions. I am ready to take up even a spot boy’s suggestion if it is a good one. No one is a genius in this industry. You become one with success.
After Krazzy 4, why did you zero in on an outside director like Anurag Basu for your next film Kites too?
I was working on two scripts. The first one— Kites was ready. I liked Anurag’s work in Metro and called for the DVD of Gangster. I called him to my office. He told me that he was keen on working with Hrithik and I functioned like a bridge since Anurag is a new director. When he told me that he did not have a subject to direct, I suggested that if he wanted he could direct Kites for me.
Did Anurag agree to direct your film immediately?
Anurag read my script and told me that though he liked it, he wanted to write his own screenplay. I told him to go ahead because I know that every director has his own way of narrating a plot. Everything comes from the screenplay. If the screenplay is good, an actor gets inspiration. The director’s job is to take out good work from an actor. Anurag has the knack of taking good work.
Tell us something about your film Kites?
Kites is a love story-cum-thriller. I chose the title Kites because I feel that a pair of kites on the sky reminds us of romantic pairs. Kites will star Hrithik Roshan, Barbara and Kangana Ranaut. We wanted a Spanish actress.
While Barbara will speak only in Spanish in the film, Hrithik will speak in Hindi and English and hence the film will be made in Hindi, Spanish as well as English.
Do you think it will be a risky proposition to make a film in Spanish and English instead of Hindi?
Today, the entire world is becoming smaller and smaller and the time has now come for us to make films which have universal appeal. Today 99 per cent of our audiences know English. We should try to move forward instead of remaining stagnant.
Why have you kept the sequel of Krrish on hold?
I enjoyed making Krrish. As a maker I throw a challenge to myself when I set out to make a film, whether I would be able to make that film. That keeps me going till I complete it. I feel I was falling into the same trap when I was writing the sequel to Krrish. I will be happy with the script only if I am able to go a level higher than that of Krrish.
Only then will I launch Krrish.
Will you direct at least the sequel to Krrish?
I may or may not direct the sequel to Krrish. It is not necessary that the same director should also direct the sequel. Abroad, the sequels of Spiderman and Rocky were directed by different directors. Weren’t they? I feel that if I ask another director to direct the sequel of Krrish, he may be able to give a different dimension to the project.
How do you find Hrithik on your sets as an actor?
Hrithik has acted in all three films of mine. He had earlier worked as my assistant. Though we have our own differences on the sets, there is absolutely no ego problem between us. If he is right, I agree and if I am right, he also agrees.
Do you think Hrithik can prove to be a good director?
Hrithik had executed the whole song though Ganesh Acharya was doing the steps for Krazzy 4. Though it is a fact that when I am making a film, Hrithik takes half the burden off me as a director, However Hrithik will not take his step as a director right now. I feel that he should not change his track when he is doing well as an actor. I feel actors should not have hassles and tension when they are actors.
Your film clashing with Ajay Devgan’s film...
It is Ajay Devgan’s film U Me Hum which is clashing with Krazzy 4. Jokes apart, I feel that since today we have multiplexes which have as many as six screens, there is no fear of any film clashing with another.
My film alone cannot run in all the six screens. It’d have made a difference if single screens had continued to dominate the scene today. In any case, both our films belong to different genres.
Why did you choose not to direct Krazzy 4?
