Milan Luthria, who has films like The Dirty Picture to his credit, speaks with SHALINI SAKSENA about his latest project, among other things
Sajid Nadiadwala and I came together to look for a project to launch Ahan Shetty. We were looking for ideas that would excite us. We came across RX 100 (Telugu) that released last year. It became a cult status with the youth. We saw the movie and liked it. We didn’t want typical film since my taste is rather dramatic. This film has everything — drama, emotions, romance, humour and aggression. It is a well-written production. We bought the rights and adapted it.
He was signed up with Sajid (Nadiadwala). They wanted a director to come on board and collaborate and come up with an idea. That was the brief that was given to me.
There have been many changes. Technologically, a lot of things have changed. Storytelling has evolved. We have access to a lot more things like books and buying rights. There has been a positive evolution. Most of the films today are well-executed. marketing plays a wider role. A few big stars would control people’s choices. Today, a whole new generation has come in and doing well. Actors are far more prepared. There are workshops. A lot of professionalism has come in. Earlier, an actor would do 10 films. Now, an actor does one movie.
We are at prep stage. We are doing location recce. We are doing costume and make-up trials. Performance and action training. We are holding workshops. We have to guide them correctly as the actors are young. We need to get them to understand the medium, how to perform, how to speak. It is different since they are young. We have to teach them tricks of the trade. We should start filming by July.
I can’t say whether it is easier or tougher. Working with them is refreshing. You get more time with them since they are not shooting for another project. I like to do things that I have not done before — whether it is a new genre or a new location or leading actors. The idea is to remain fresh, reinvent myself and be relevant.
I take this positively. It helps me search new ideas and concepts. The audience is quick to grasp which is been there done than as opposed to something that is fresh. You don’t have to be different just for the sake of it. The newness can come in small ways.
You keep a watch on other films being made. Go with your gut. The project should excite you. You should follow the voice inside you and don’t listen to anything else.
The challenges have always been the same. You have to have the script down pat. You have to tell the story well. Look for good locations. You have to have good music. Making a movie that works with the audience. Marketing has to be perfect. Get your basics right. You have to be open to things around you.
There is no point in picking up a project and tinkering with the basics. You buy a film to adapt as it worked. When you adapt, you bring your own version to it — how you approach the music. You should respect the original and yet not be bound by it. Remakes have become a part of our lives.