Abhinay is best at making dark comedies: Bhushan

Abhinay Deo and Bhushan Kumar have been neighbours for over 10 years and have finally come together to make Blackmail, starring Irrfan, Kriti Kulhari and Arunoday Singh. The film is scheduled to release in the first week of April, and Irrfan, who is currently undergoing treatment for a neuroendocrine tumour overseas, apparently refused to push the release date of the movie even though the production house suggested it. “We told him that we could push the movie’s release date till he’s better, but he was extremely reluctant and asked us to stick to the original date because he wanted the audience to enjoy his movie at the earliest,” says Kumar, managing director and chairman, T-Series. This is the actor’s second project with T-Series after Hindi Medium (2017).

Speaking about why they decided to do this project, Kumar says, “We kept talking about so many ideas over the years and one day we just had this meeting about this movie (Blackmail) and I knew that we had to make this happen.”

Blackmail is Deo’s second film in the dark comedy genre after Delhi Belly (2011). “Quirky comedies are my favourite and what makes it fun for me is that often, reality is way stranger than fiction. Turning the bizarre things that happen in reality into movies is what I prefer,” says the director. “The genre actually started off with Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), when Kundan Shah made this satire and then years later Dil Chahta Hai (2001) had some of the elements. But Delhi Belly opened the Pandora’s box for us. It was successful because although India believes in slapstick comedies, we showed a real comedy that they could relate to,” says Deo, speaking about the success of the genre.

Adds Kumar, “Blackmail is a roller-coaster ride and I am sure people will enjoy it as they enjoyed Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (2018), because the story is relatable and that’s what works. Abhinay is returning to this genre after a long time, he’s a great director but this is what he’s best at and I’ve always encouraged him to get back to it. We are also looking at future projects together.”

Blackmail is set to hit theatres on April 6.

PHOTO: HTCS/PRAMOD THAKUR Bhushan Kumar (left) is producing Blackmail, which is directed by Abhinay Deo (right)