Kunal Deshmukh
After superhits like Jannat, Tum Mile, Jannat 2, the thinking director is back with yet another thriller titled Raja Natwarlal. The film is loosely based on India’s first real conman Mithilesh Kumar Shrivasta aka Natwarlal. Deshmukh tells SANGEETA YADAV how it was emotionally demanding for Emraan Hashmi as he was dealing with his son’s illness
‘Was emotionally tough for Emraan’
What exactly is Raja Natwarlal based onIJ
It’s a comedy crime film on conman Raja Natwarlal played by Emraan Hashmi who ends up becoming a master of the con world. This movie has a little bit of everything — comedy, romance, crime, thriller and suspense that will keep the audience hooked to their seats. Expect to see a lot of twists and turns as Raja Natwarlal seeks revenge from the people who tried to falsely implicate him in a crime. He manages to deal with these people in his tedha way. He learns the art of wriggling in and out of trouble from his godfather Gulati played by Paresh Rawal.
How did you zero in on the starcast of this filmIJ
Raja Natwarlal was penned keeping Emraan in mind. The title of conman suits him the best. He has the looks, style, body language and a style that easily fit into the role I had in mind for this film. There was no need to take his audition as we knew he would be a perfect fit. Humaima Malik went through many auditions like other actors but I liked her confidence. She has done well.
During the production of Raja Natwarlal, Emraan Hashmi’s four-year-old son Ayan was being treated for cancer. It must have been a difficult phase....
When he got to know that his son was suffering from cancer, his life turned upside down. He asked me for a month’s off from shooting as he had to take Ayan abroad for treatment. I readily agreed. We would have waited for him forever. But everything ended in a happy note with Ayan being treated out of this deadly disease and his papa back in action. Emraan is a thorough professional and made sure we completed the film without further delay.
Did the attitude towards Emraan change on the sets after news of his son’s disease came upIJ
We were all moved. But I stood by him, not as a director but as a friend whom he could rely on. We have been good friends for more than 10 years now and Emraan knows he can trust me on anything. As a director I made sure there was a good flow with minimum stress on him during shoot hours. Despite being worried about Ayan, Emraan put in his 100 per cent.
How was your experience directing veterans Paresh Rawal and Kay Kay MenonIJ
It was a great learning experience for all of us. These actors are professionals who give their 100 per cent. They know exactly what they are supposed to do. And they do just that. It was wonderful working with them.