Producers Rhea and Ekta Kapoor celebrate the spirit of ‘just being’ at music launch of Veere Di Wedding
Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, who will soon be seen in Veere Di Wedding, says she is not a feminist and believes in equality. Kareena, along with co-actors Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhasker and Shikha Talsania, director Shashanka Ghosh and producers Rhea Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor, were at the Veere Di Wedding music launch.
Asked about the idea of feminism, Kareena said: “I believe in equality. I wouldn’t say I am a feminist, I would say I am a woman and above all, I am a human being. I am also as proud to be known as Saif Ali Khan’s wife, as I am to be Kareena Kapoor. So that is just the way I am.” Veere Di Wedding is a female buddy film about four girls living in an urban setting and their struggles in life.
Kareena has always been vocal about her personal life, but in this film, she playing a character which is commitment phobic. Asked about her role selection criteria, she said, “I think what made me take up this part is that for me, as a commercial mainstream actor who is always used to working with mainstream actors, be it Shah Rukh Khan or Salman Khan... For me, it was very different to be part of a film with four girls.”
“I think the story is something I got completely obsessed with and I thought it was really cool. And I think who better than this entire team to put this film together. I think this was the reason I wanted to do Veere Di Wedding. As far as my character Kalindi is concerned, I think she is really cool and there is a reason why she is commitment phobic, which will be revealed in the film.”
Kareena is known for working with A-list actors in Bollywood, but this time she is paired with Sumeet Vyas. On this, she quipped: “I think I have chosen A-lister heroines this time.”
Sharing her funniest memories from the film’s set, the actress said: “I think it would be throwing Sumeet Vyas off the moon in the film. That was quite funny because I have never done that in my career. I never had the opportunity to throw a hero off from a moon. So thank you everyone, for giving me this chance, I am sure it will go down in history.”
Meanwhile producer Rhea Kapoor has denied any trouble so far with the Censor Board although the film was yet to receive any certificate ahead of its June 1 release. Dismissing reports making rounds that because of cuss words and language used in the film, Veere Di... has received an A certificate, Kapoor, who was at the music launch along with the entire cast and crew, rubbished all the rumours. “So far we have had no problem with the Censor Board. I don’t want to talk more about it because we still have not gotten the Censor (certificate) in our hands. Once we get it, we will issue a proper press release,” she said. Kapoor said that veteran actor Anil Kapoor, her father, had accompanied her to present the film to the Censor Board. “And let me tell you,... One can be certain that if we can make a film for which my father can come along, then clearly, as women none of us should be ashamed of the film.”
Ekta Kapoor, who is also the co-producer of the film, added that the film had already covered its cost and they are looking at a clean run. “Actually, I love this film. I trust the producer and I have four stellar leading women in the film. I have always picked a script which was not a hit on paper but on release became super successful,” said Ekta.
To prove her point she mentioned her controversial, yet hit film, Dirty Picture. “I was told this film is a flop. How can you make a film with Vidya Balan playing a heroine that too, as an item number girlIJ When the film released my mom hugged me and told me this is an outstanding film. Even this movie has cleared most of its cost and we’re looking at a great clean run. I think I am one happy producer,” Ekta said.
Actress Swara Bhaskar said: “It has been 105 years since our film industry came into existence, and this is the first time we are making a film in mainstream cinema about four friends — it is their life story and none is falling in love with the same guy. So this is most special and unique.”
Ekta has made another exception for Veere Di Wedding, which she feels will be remembered for being a film that tells the audience to “just be.” As she tweeted, “For the first time in eight years keeping a personal screening of my film! I never do! The last time I kept a screening was for The Dirty Picture. Sometimes the journey, intent, joy (and) attempt have to take over. Even though financially the film has a more than safe pre-sale thanks to our super partners ZEE, the outcome cannot always define the experience. I am super proud of Veere Di Wedding. Years later... a generation will remember a film came that told us with absolute irreverence that it’s ok to be! Be divorced, unmarried, overweight, undersexed (and) oversexed! Just Be.” Power producers Ekta Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor and Nikhil Dwivedi joined the cast in celebrating the music of the film , an eccentric mix of up tempo, bhangra and soulful music with something for everyone. A film for girls and their boys too, Veere Di Wedding highlights the bonds of friendship, love and the trials and complications that come along with this thing called life!