I wanted to make an Indian film that we all could be proud of: Ruchi Narain
Hanuman Da Damdaar, an animated mythological film has voiceovers by Salman Khan and writer Javed Akhtar.
Ruchi Narain (right), the director of the film says that it was luck and blessings that helped her get the actors that were on her wishlist on board. “We were aiming high in terms of the kind of people we wanted to work with, but luckily, almost everyone who heard the script, got on board immediately. Big stars usually want to take up roles that help them connect with the audiences, and Salman loved our approach. I had an amazing time working with him. He is a sharp person who is constantly looking for something new,” she says.
She recalls how Akhtar got on board. “Actually, Javed sir was the first person to dub for us. When I went to him with the project, he couldn’t understand why I wanted to cast him, as he isn’t an actor. But he had certain traits in his personality that I wanted in my narrator as Valmiki. He is undoubtedly the best narrator we have. And he did a fantastic job with it,” Ruchi says.
Ruchi also says that the language used in the film is contemporary and that works to their advantage. “It’s the way people speak today. Our film is not preachy. It’s entertaining and yet gives out a message. I wanted to do something Indian that we all could be proud of, and it’s time we take pride in things that are our own.”