Filmmaker Rohit Shetty learnt the intricacies of stunt tricks from action director Veeru Devgan, which he still follows. By Team Viva
Rohit Shetty’s humble demeanour mustn’t be mistaken for anything but confidence in his choice of films and what they represent. His camera’s admiration for manly heroes is palpable and the films are robust with detailed albeit exaggerated action sequences which often have the audience on the edge.
Shetty was speaking at a session at Jagran Film Festival, which paid homage to action director Veeru Devgan, with whom he had started at the age of 16. “He treated me like a son,” said the director who had assisted him during his film, Phool Aur Kaante. Recalling the time, he said, “He had introduced several revolutionary innovations in the film.” Talking about the lessons that he learnt, Shetty said he taught him to remain true to himself. He said even in these days of special effects, he keeps in mind the intricacies that he learnt from the action director.
But Shetty was no stranger to the world of action. His father, MB Shetty, was a stuntman and action choreographer in the industry when fist fights were accompanied with the sound of dhishoom. Fast forward to now, where Shetty’s films have a grandeur showcase of flying cars and unsubtle gravity-defying sequences — action in Indian films has transformed. It has become easier, Shetty said, for the actors. “It has changed a lot, changed for good. Because we have those CGI, we have those budgets today.”
Having witnessed the change in the industry, especially in the realm of action, Shetty said, “The most significant change that has taken place is the way security is given primacy on sets. Earlier, there was no protection available.
Moreover, the exposure to Hollywood films like Transformers has set the bar high as the audience expects a certain standard from films. “However, in order that the Hindi film industry attains the same standards, the budgets have to be bigger.”
Since he is known for the action sequences in his films, he pointed out that during any shoot he performs them first before asking anyone to take it up.
Shetty’s last venture Simmba came under fire as a sensitive topic like ‘rape’ was central to the film. Though he proudly declared that he doesn’t need issues to sell his films, it again highlighted that while his heroes are infamously known for their hyper- masculinity, some reckoned that his heroines are nothing but ‘glorified extras’. Shetty was amazed at this revelation, and dismissed it in an instant, “Not really, if you see Chennai Express, Deepika Padukone was not a glorified extra. Even Kareena Kapoor in Golmaal 3.”
With an ever-present disdain towards ‘pseudo-film intellectuals’, he is quite confident that his target audience are not only young men looking for idolisation in his heroes. “My films are not primarily for young men”, the absurdity of the thought had him laughing. “Young men? No at all. You see Kareena in Golmaal 3, she had footage equivalent, maybe little more than Ajay (Devgn).”
His brand has branched out into comedy as well. “The films which we are producing in my company are not like the ones that I usually make. I don’t want to make something for the sake of making it, it should come from my heart that I want to make this kind of cinema.”
Shetty hit gold with Golmaal, a film, that has seen three sequels. He said that the idea was not to question or analyse anything but just being happy was sufficient. The film was released 13 years ago and he said, “I never thought I’d make a comedy and while making it, we never thought we’d reach this far, where it would become Indian film industry’s biggest franchise. We just worked hard, and made it with a good intent.”
Photo: Pankaj Kumar