No Entry, Welcome and now Singh Is Kinng… Entertaining and blockbuster comedies are indeed Anees Bazmee's forte. Coming back with the same hit pair Akki-Kat from last years' blockbuster Welcome, this director is all set to break records with Singh Is Kinng this week. We chatted up with the man who unlike most stars came sharp on time for the scheduled interview. For once, we were late!
So Anees, what made you make a movie on sardars?
There are many reasons. For one, the film has given Akshay Kumar a new look. This is one look in which you have not seen Akki before. Though he had played a Punjabi in Namastey London, his look was nothing close to that of a sardar.
Also the sound of the film is very different. The Hindi used is very Punjabi with a lot of Punjabi words and lingos.
And also I though that, when 10-years down the line people will look at Akki's turban image, they would automatically connect to Singh Is Kinng. The entire look and feel of the film is so strong.
So are you also thinking of making a film on other communities? Say like on Bengalis?
(Laughs) Well if there's a script that moves slowly…(Smiles) and is sweet enough…then I will make a film on Bengalis.
This was a very energetic and loud script. The characters were always doing something. There was a lot of action. The characters are daring and still quite innocent. So I made them sardars.
So is this movie anything like Gadar or Jo Bole So Nihaal?
I have watched both the films. I loved Gadar. It was a romance. Singh Is Kinng is a fun film with a lot of romance and emotions. It is very true to the heart.
So why no real sardars in the cast of a sardar movie?
Well there's more than enough Punjabis…Neha Dhupia is a Sardar, Sonu, Yash, Sudhanshu, Kirron Kher, Om Puri all are Punjabis. In fact, Katrina and I used to feel so left out on the sets with the rest chattering away in rapid Punjabi. It was like Punjab ke kisi khet mein aa gaye ho.
Anees then attended to his son's call who'd just come back from school. He even asked if the kid had eaten and explained politely that he couldn't talk to him since he was in an interview. A sweet gesture we thought, in spite being a successful director to think about his son's food and school and such seemingly trivial issues in life.
Anyways, we continued with the questions…
Katrina in her pink skirt is already grabbing eyeballs. Do you think that would be a big factor to draw the masses to the theatre?
People love Katrina. In very little time she has achieved a lot. I know her for a very long time now. And I always knew she was very sure of what she's doing. In fact, in this film she has done the dubbing herself. Abhi Hindi bhi bol leti hai thik thak. She is a pleasure to work with and a very nice girl. As for the pink dress… I am sure that suits her very well. I however, personally prefer her in a sari. She is also wearing some kajal or something and looking quite awesome.
Why is your film titled Singh Is Kinng?
Whenever we make a film, we at least think of 10-15 titles. For this however, we did not think of even one. Akshay Kumar was very happy to hear about this role. Maybe he wanted to play a sardar for a very long time but was not getting the right script or the director or just the right opportunity. He was really excited about his role. He was the one who suggested the title. He had read it somewhere behind a truck – 'Singh Is Kinng'. And the moment I heard that, I knew this was it.
Speaking of Akshay Kumar, the year 2007 belonged to him. However, 2008 was not a very good start for him with Tashan. How do you think this film will work for him?
Akki is at a place in his career when one or two odd films that don't do too well, doesn't affect his stardom. He has worked very hard for this. In this movie, I feel he has given his best performance.
No Entry and Welcome, both were great hits. But somehow the critics did not give them too good a review. What do you feel about that?
Can you please tell critics to write good about a film that the audience will anyways enjoy? They should write something that would inspire me to do better but till date I have never been inspired by a critic's review. I think they just rip any movie apart to prove their superiority. I'm quite sure if their own children would want to go for the same movie, they wouldn't say 'NO'. Children can't be made to understand all the ridiculous logic. If they find something enjoyable, they just simply love it.
If the film clicks with the masses, I think the critics just make it a point to rip the movie apart simply to appear as someone 'above the audience'.
Ok. Moving on… In the trailer of Singh Is Kinng, we heard a line on Don… so is the movie a take on Don and/or SRK?No, not at all. I just wrote the dialogue, which was entertaining. I did not mean anything bad for anybody in it. I wrote the line with a lot of honesty and meant it for fun.
If you were to remake Singh Is Kinng, what would you call it?
Singh Is Kinng Part 2. Because really I can't think of a better title. I can write about 15 to 20 more films with the same characters. Actually the characters are so lovable, you just have to change the situations and a completely new film is made.
Why choose 8/8/8 as the release date? Anything significant?
Yes. Yes, indeed. Mr Vipul Shah believes in these lucky date things. And he thinks 8/8/8 will prove to be lucky. I personally do not believe in numerology. And if they believe in all this, I don't want to hurt their sentiments.
Give us three reasons why we should watch Singh Is Kinng…
Only three? I can give millions…
Ok, 1) Akshay Kumar; 2) Akshay Kumar's new look; 3) The hit jodi Akki-Kat; 4)…
Four?
I will give two more… 4) Good music and 5) Anees Bazmee who's given hits like No Entry and Welcome.
So is it only comedies and more comedies for you now?
No. I don't want to make comedies anymore. I have had successful romantic films. I don't want to get bored doing the same genre over and over again. Welcome and Singh Is Kinng and No Entry had been a mere coincidence.
Since you really don't believe in critics' reviews… how much would you rate Singh Is Kinng?
If I can't rate any of my film five out of five, then why make them, right?
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