Mumbai5 hours agoAuthor: Ashish Tiwari
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Actor turned writer-director Kunal Khemu is very happy these days with the success of the film 'Madgaon Express'. Kunal says that the film is still running in theaters and is getting love from the audience. I wake up every morning and thank God. This inspires us to do even better work in life.
During a special conversation with Dainik Bhaskar, Kunal said – 'Films are made with passion, but nowadays in the industry, not films but projects are being made. Stories are being written keeping the stars in mind, while keeping the story in mind, such a star should be cast who can justify the story.
Your debut direction film 'Madgaon Express' is still being discussed a lot. How are you feeling?
I can't explain it in words. I am very happy. Any person who works hard in any work hopes that his work will be appreciated. And, be appreciated at the same time. Many times it happens that old work gets appreciated later. The film is still in theatres, getting love. I wake up every morning and thank God. This inspires us to do even better work in life.
Where did the idea of making a film on this concept come from?
There are many such stories in my mind. Which I have written. There is no time table and schedule in the life of an actor. When you are working, you may be busy throughout the year. If there is no work then you remain sitting idle. At such times, he kept trying to do some new things. There are many things in life other than acting.
Sometimes photography, sometimes travelling, sometimes I picked up the guitar and did music. Stories were in my mind so I started writing. But comedy is such a dish, which you cannot serve easily. When I used to narrate to my friends, they liked it and then I started writing. Its inspiration comes from one's own life somewhere.
What was the biggest challenge when you were writing this film?
I believe that all challenges lie within us. We create all road blocks for ourselves first. When we start walking, paths keep getting formed. There were a lot of things I didn't know how to do. For many years I have been feeling shy as to how to show people that I have written. People always ask when did you start writing? First I had to get over this shyness.
At that time there was no thought about direction. But when the producer read the script and said that you should do direction. I thought that people are looking for such opportunities, if I am getting it then why not. There was also a fear whether I would be able to take up the responsibility of direction or not. But when you start, your team is formed and gradually you gain confidence.
What were you thinking when you narrated the script to Farhan Akhtar for the first time?
I was thinking that if a person is giving two-two and a half hours of time for narration and I am narrating the story, then I should not let him get bored. I have the talent of acting so I don't want to bore you. I read the script in the same style in which it was written. Farhan enjoyed it a lot and agreed to produce the film.
Tell us about the casting process of the film?
I had seen Prateek Gandhi's series 'Scam 1992', I knew that he was a good actor. Many times you are type cast in the industry. Prateik was fit for this film and character. I wanted that character to be played by a Gujarati actor. That's why I chose Pratik. I knew Divyendu and Avinash Tiwari to be very good actors. Divyendu had done comedy, but not this kind of comedy.
Your cameo in the film was amazing, where did that idea come from?
When I was told that I have to direct the film, I thought about direction. Then it was my decision not to act in films. Writing and directing itself was a huge responsibility. I had decided that I would not act in this.
The cameo in the film that you are talking about was not in the original script. Later I realized that such a character was needed in the story. Earlier I was thinking of someone else for that role, but when I couldn't find any actor, I did it myself.
There is demand for a sequel too, what will we do for that?
This will be a big responsibility for me. It will start with the writing of the script. People may not have had high expectations from this film, but they will have more expectations from the sequel. Which has to be lived up to. I would not want the fun of watching the film to be spoiled for any reason.
Any compliment that touched your heart?
Many came. Many times I became emotional. It is very difficult for you to get praise. I received calls from such people whom I had not expected. People praised the film a lot on social media and the critical reviews were also very good. The fear inside me was that I would make a film.
As an actor, I have received a lot of love from everyone. But there should be no mistake in the direction and people start saying that the acting was going well. What did you do in the direction?
Soha Ali Khan has been your first audience, what has been her compliment?
Sometimes I take his praise lightly. This often happens with family members. They are also afraid that if they say something now, something will go wrong. Soha and my mother are great critics. They think it's good, but it could be better. When Soha saw the film for the first time, she liked it. Whenever there was a preview of the film, he watched it with pleasure and then I understood that he was liking the film. She has been my biggest supporter. Hardly anyone would understand me as much as she does.
From Kalyug till now, happiness is visible from within in your body language. Santoor Boys, how do you maintain your fitness?
I have nothing to do with this. This is genetic that came to me from my parents. The kind of profession we have, it is important to bring a little filter in life.
The most interesting thing that I found about you is that your grandfather has received Padmashree and Sahitya Akademi Award, is your talent for writing in your genes?
I also feel the same, because I did not learn writing from anywhere. Grandfather worked for a long time and not everyone knows his name. Those who are interested in literature know about Dada ji. I like it very much when someone says that Moti Lal is Khemu's grandson.
What is one thing in the industry that you would like to change?
I think meth will have to be removed. The meth used in films is messed up. People are not making films but projects. Most people come to the industry to become actors. Some people become directors instead of being actors. Very few people come to become producers. Whereas becoming a producer is more important.
Unless the number of producers is large, not many films will be made. Only when more films are made will new talent get a chance. It started in OTT. New talent was getting a chance. Now only big people are getting opportunities there too. Now even in OTT, such things are being said that the business is not like before.
Do you feel that the industry has not yet been able to use you as an actor?
I completely agree with you on this. Personally, I always feel this way. I have heard the same things from outside, people have been saying for years. If I and the audience feel this way, then I feel that if we are not getting opportunities then we should create opportunities for ourselves.
When I was promoting the film, I remembered what my mother had said. In my childhood, when my mother used to cook food and I did not like the food, my mother used to say that if you do not like the food then learn and cook it. That lesson is left somewhere inside. If you are not happy with the opportunities you are getting, then create new opportunities for yourself.
When you were working as an actor, there was a lot of market pressure at that time, but now with the advent of OTT, a lot has changed and now the audience has also changed, what would you like to say?
I always believe that it is very easy to make a hero a villain. We often see this in films. But in real life it does not happen at all that someone wants to do villainous work as soon as he wakes up in the morning. But circumstances are such that we have to do such things. Films are made with passion, but we are making projects.
The project looks good on paper, but the story is not written properly. The story is being written keeping the star in mind. Whereas keeping the story in mind, casting of such a star should be done who can justify the story.
