Khaitan was ready for comparisons with Sairat
After directing two hit films, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014) and Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017), Shashank Khaitan received a mixed response for his third, Dhadak — the Hindi remake of popular Marathi film, Sairat. The recent outing saw constant comparisons with the original, something that Khaitan says he was prepared for.
“We were ready for it since the day we decided to make Dhadak. We always knew that a section of the audience might not appreciate it while others will value it for the film it is,” he says. Talking about casting newcomers Ishaan Khatter (for whom this film marks his mainstream debut) and Janhvi Kapoor, daughter of late Sridevi, the director adds, “It was an incredible story that demanded newcomers, one had to go with freshness. Janhvi and Ishaan were selected almost eight months before we started shooting. We started spending time with them, understanding the generation they belong to and how to communicate with them. We then worked on the script and took them to the shoot locations. Overall, it was a satisfying experience because they had time, they were eager and wanted to learn, and gave their best every single day.”
As far as comparisons are concerned after the film’s release, Khaitan hopes that people get the team’s intent. “I hope they appreciate the fact that we are paying a homage to Sairat. It’s not a remake [per se], but an adaptation.”
Filmmaking, apart from being an art form, is a business at the end of the day. Does Khaitan worry about the boxoffice collection? “All my films should be under budget, so that the producer has no undue pressure. I’m fortunate that the same happened with both my previous films,” he says.