PRESSURE,

Directing the third instalment of the hit franchise, Race 3, involves much stress, says the filmmaker

With his upcoming film, Race 3, just few days away from its release, filmmaker Remo D’Souza is enjoying this “mixed feeling” of excitement and nervousness.

“It’s crazy. It’s like when you know you’ve written the exam well but you are waiting for the result,” he says. Directing an ensemble cast with big stars, which includes Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez and Bobby Deol, Remo calls this film a “learning experience”. In a freewheeling chat, the filmmaker opens up about taking the hit franchise forward and the pressure which comes along, directing Salman Khan, making him dance and more. Abbas-Mustan, of whom I’m a fan. Now, I’ve come in as the director, have Salman Khan, and a huge cast and the action is next level, so there’s a lot of pressure. This was a surprise film for me. I still can’t believe that I’ve finished shooting the film before time.

It’s also Salman’s fastest film and it all happened because of him. He was there on time and did everything leaving me surprised. So, it was very, very easy. I’ve learned a lot from every actor in this film. But Salman sir and Anil Kapoor have taught me so much.

They’re so grounded and passionate about making films and so professional about the process that it’s unbelievable.

I remember once Salman had to fly back to Mumbai, and he was reaching early morning.

I said, ‘Take rest and then come on the sets by afternoon.’ But at 7 in the morning, I got a call from him, saying,‘I’m at the airport and I’m coming to the sets now.’ That was amazing. My idea [from day one] was to make him dance.

I know he has this typical style of small steps that people love.

And, in addition to that, I made sure he tried other dance styles, too. He loves dancing, so it wasn’t much of a challenge. He’s got his fan following and people love him for the star he is.

I’m a huge Salman fan; like those who whistle, clap and jump each time he comes onscreen. I always wanted to do a film with him. aving just celebrated her 42nd birthday, producer Ekta Kapoor feels that she is ageing backwards. Starting her career at 17, Ekta is now making youth-based shows on her digital platform, with more powerful roles for women. Though her projection of women is strong in films, she still gets criticised for some of her supernatural TV shows.

So, does she need to make such shows? “Why not? If people are criticising my shows like Naagin or other shows with supernatural content, I want to ask why not? Why is folklore criticised if it is Indian when the same audience is surviving on American folklore? America survives on Avengers, Game of Thrones, Vampire and I can go on. They watch them voraciously,” she says, adding, “Our Naagin is not only popular in every region of our country but also in Pakistan. It has been remade in Indonesia. So you see, people see!”

Has Ekta grown thick skin to deal with criticism? “We have to understand that people have a perception that anything that is popular is substandard. I don’t take that. You know Shakespeare was one of the most criticised playwrights when he was alive. Today, we celebrate him,” she adds.