MOVIE BUFFS MEET THE BADASS TEAM

The cast and the director of tomorrow’s release, Baadshaho, visit Delhi for HT City Stars in the City

From dancing with their fans to revealing tid-bits from their film’s shoot, the team of tomorrow’s release, Baadshaho, won over the crowd when they visited HT House to interact with the winners of the HT City Stars in the City contest.

Badass… that’s the vibe of the film, said director Milan Luthria, adding that he had created a “dark, edgy space” here because he didn’t like “goody, goody cinema”.

Cast members Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Ileana D’Cruz and Esha Gupta were present, and each spoke of what they felt was special about the film, set in Emergency era Rajasthan, its plot centred round a heist.

Ajay, who plays a loyal fellow named Bhavani in Baadshaho, was asked if he had any problem switching between filming this action thriller and an upcoming comedy. He replied, “You’re not an actor if you stick to only one genre. I’ve been very lucky — whenever I’ve tried to do different genres, they’ve all been accepted by my audience.”

Emraan, who enjoys a crazy female fan following, made a fan’s day by obliging her with a hug. Asked whose feedback on his films matters to him the most, he said, “Definitely my fans! I’ve realised one thing: you can’t make a film for your family. My family’s taste is very niche. If I have to make a film only for them, we will be the only ones who’ll watch it! Films are meant for mass consumption.” Emraan added, “Baadshaho is not just any other heist film, which is just slick with no substance. The film that hits that sweet spot between mass and class will draw in the audience.”

Esha was excited about her stunts. She said, “Yesteryear actors such as Rekha did action, too, in their films; after a while, it just got lost somewhere. My character Sanjana is someone who will do any job that needs to be done. Ajay had announced me as the ‘bombshell badass’ when my poster for the film was released!”

Ileana, who plays a princess, danced to the qawwali Mere Rashqe Qamar (from the film) with a fan — he went down on his knee and gave Ileana an elegant twirl.

Left: Actors Ajay Devgn and Ileana D’Cruz Above: Actors Emraan Hashmi and Esha Gupta

Winners of the Stars in the City contest with actors Ajay Devgn, Ileana D’Cruz, Emraan Hashmi, and Esha Gupta, and director Milan Luthria

PHOTOS: AMAL KS AND SHIVAM SAXENA/HT