‘ THERE ARE EXPECTATIONS FROM US’
Anushka Sharma and Diljit Dosanjh talk about their new film, “making different kinds of stories”, and working with each other
It’s hard to picture the pretty and chirpy Anushka Sharma (above right) as a ghost, but that’s exactly what she plays in her next movie, Phillauri. The actor has paired up with Punjabi sensation Diljit Dosanjh (above left) for the film, which is being backed by her own production house. In a candid conversation with HT Café at the Hindustan Times office, Anushka and Diljit laughed and talked about the movie, working with director Anshai Lal, their working relationship, and more. Anushka even crooned a Garhwali (a dialect from Uttarakhand) song, while Diljit sang one of his singles. Excerpts from the interview:
Anushka, both your productions have been devoid of big names. Did you go for new actors to avoid star tantrums?
Anushka: We have always cast [actors] according to the script. I have worked with many actors, and have realised that actors don’t have the kind of time that people think they have. Sometimes, it is just a matter of two people not understanding each other. I don’t think star tantrums were our concern; instead, we focused on who would fit the role. In fact, it would have helped me to have a star in the film.
Anshai, why did you sign Diljit?
Anshai: I loved Diljit in 1984 (2014), in which he had an intense role. Anushka saw him in Jatt and Juliet (2012), which was totally different and big on comedy. When we were casting, we needed someone who was endearing and manly, but also had a boyish charm, and [Diljit] fit the bill perfectly. When we met him, we didn’t know that he was doing Udta (Punjab; 2016), as it hadn’t released then. It was a very quick meeting. We met him and narrated the script. I think in four hours, he was on board. Anushka: We believe in this script and film so much. It’s nice to have an actor who decided to come on board so quickly, because he has faith in the film. It is encouraging.
Diljit, why did you agree to do the film in a matter of hours?
Diljit: I had turned down two to three films earlier, and some of them have done well. So, I thought that I am new [to Bollywood] and I have already said ‘no’ to them [the films], but I also feel that those films weren’t in my destiny. When they were narrating the script to me, I didn’t know who the director was. I thought Karnesh (Sharma; producer and Anushka’s brother) was directing it, and I was just listening to the story when Anshai was narrating it. When the story reached the climax, I was sold. When you will see the film, you will know why I said yes.
ANUSHKA, AFTER NH10 (2015), IS THERE ANY PRESSURE TO LIVE UP TO THE EXPECTATIONS FOR YOUR SECOND FILM AS A PRODUCER?
Anushka: By the nature of the films, we could create a distinction between the two. Both films are different, and yes, there are expectations from us. Phillauri is a far more commercial; it’s a feel-good, happy film. NH10 had its own impact and feel.
Anushka, in an interview, you mentioned that you believe in ghosts. What was that about?
Anushka: Sooraj (Sharma; co-star) asked me if I believed in ghosts. I am a conspiracy theorist and I think humans work at a certain frequency. There could be other beings who work on other frequencies — be it lower or higher. Only when you are tuned into that frequency, can you understand them. Maybe in this room there are other spirits, who are perhaps ignoring us as we are ignoring them. We can’t see them and they don’t necessarily have to be scary either.
Anshai, this is your first film. How did you bag this big break?
Anshai: I know Anushka’s brother Karnesh. We go a long way back. I spoke about an idea right after NH10 ended and we took it to Anushka, who liked the concept. Once you have an actor and producer on board, then things get easier. It sorted me out. Their support has been huge.
Being a singer, do you feel that when film-makers sign you, they see that as an added advantage?
Diljit: When film-makers ask me to not sing, I feel even more happy because then I know that the film-makers are serious about acting. In this film, I was happy because all the songs were already composed by the time I came on board. I will sing songs in any case. But this film already had amazing songs.
Anushka, don’t you feel like singing for any of your movies, as so many people in Bollywood are doing it?
Anushka: These guys had to convince me to rap and I was so scared. So one day, there was this recording set up in my living room with a mike and other ‘jazzy-looking’ things. The music director asked me to wear a cap and gold chains, because all R&B artistes do it. I said I can’t rap but I am an actor so I can get into character. So, I did all that was required. I started practicing and they gave me so many lines to practice. It seems easy but it isn’t. Our playback singers are fantastic. I should only sing when I can add some value to the song. I am not saying I have a bad voice. I can sing, but it will only be for a logical reason.
Has your perspective towards film and film-making changed after becoming a producer?
Anushka: My perspective actually changed when I was shooting for Bombay Velvet (2015). I know that film didn’t do well. But there was so much hard work and detailing, and so much passion that was involved in the film. At that time there was a change of my mind, I respected cinema [like never before]. I understood all that goes into it, and the power of it. It was sincerely as an actor, but this changed my perspective. Now Karnesh and I want to facilitate the process for the right talent. I might sound like a purist but I genuinely feel that way. The idea is to keep changing things, and make a different story.
Are you experimental and a risk-taker by nature, or doing different things workwise is purely a business call?
Anushka: I have never made conventional choices in my career. I have done half the work my contemporaries have, in terms of number of films. I was always working towards getting here, and now being here, where I sort of work on my own terms, and deliver something different each time. That is the only way in which I can progress as an actor and add credibility to my body of work. I can fail also; I might get a really good role or I might be bad in it or the film might not do well. My intent is correct when I am working towards it. I have always been like that even when I was a kid. I always wanted to do something different.
Diljit, you were apparently sad that Anushka is not Punjabi…
Diljit: I was surprised that she is not a Punjabi.
Anushka: In about nine years of my career, I’ve not been able to make people understand that I’m not a Punjabi. Everybody thinks I am one because I have played one in so many films.
Diljit: She looks Punjabi and her surname is Sharma, so I thought so.
Anushka: At times, while talking, Diljit doesn’t realise and starts talking in Punjabi. Then he realises and starts talking in Hindi again. The Punjabi we talk is quite filmy, but he talks in pure Punjabi. If I’ve to learn Punjabi anytime, I’d like to learn that Punjabi.
Have you ever felt that there is a difference between working in Punjabi films and in Bollywood?
Diljit: Of course. In Hindi movies, everything is quite big. Everything has a separate section. In Punjabi movies, our budget is less. So, we wear our own costumes that we wear at home. So we get to know about things like costume designer quite later. Budget is the only difference. People put in the same amount of hard work there.
So, how was it working with Anushka?
Diljit: It felt very good [to shoot with Anushka]. I had met her in her office for the first time. The same day this Punjabi wala incident happened. During the shooting, my costume was such that I would always be lost with myself. I had never worn anything like that, so I used to keep worrying about my looks. My whole time went into that.
Anushka, being a producer are you more considerate now as an actor with other producers?
Anushka: I was always wellbehaved actor. I was launched by Aditya Chopra and I have so much gratitude for them. I think I understood things better and I was taught well. There is no producer-giri as things are systematic. There is protocol and that is very important. By God’s grace, I have always worked with good producers so it’s never been a problem as such. In fact, I was treated very badly in my own production house (laughs).
Production-wise, what’s next?
Anushka: So soon, very soon we will be able to talk about it, but rest assured that it will be something different, and we’ll be trying something new. Anshai is working and developing a script. We have other films at different stages. Few are ready to start filming.
In Hindi movies, everything is quite big. Everything has a separate section. In Punjabi movies, our budget is less... Budget is the only difference. Rest, people put in same amount of hard work.
DILJIT DOSANJH, ACTOR
In nine years of my career, I’ve not been able to make people understand that I’m not a Punjabi. ANUSHKA SHARMA, ACTOR