Talktime | Vishal Mishra
He started his career as a film critic and is now making his directorial debut with the film Coffee With D, slated to release next week. He talks to SHAlINI SASKSENA about the movie and how he had anticipated problems but not to the extent of get threatening calls
What is your movie aboutIJ
The idea was to portray the dons in a realistic manner. Over the years, dons have been glorified. lately, the films have mentioned D. So we wanted to make a film where people can have some relatability.
Why did you chose Sunil GroverIJ
We were sure that Zakir Hussain would play D. The other starcast Anjana Sukhani, Rajesh Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi, etc were all on board. But just a month before we were to begin the shoot, Hussain backed out — maybe he found the script too bold. That is when Shabina Khan, a close friend and mentor, who has been part of films like Rowdy Rathore and Gabbar Is Back, recommended Sunil Grover. I didn’t know of his popularity on TV as I have no connect with that medium. But I met him for 25 minutes and he was on board. He loved the concept.
Describe your movie.
In two words — situational comedy. To elaborate, it is movie that jumps from reality to fiction and from fiction to reality.
Do Indians find it difficult to laugh at themselves considering what happened with your movieIJ
The society was far more liberal 25 years back. If you see films of that time, the jokes and references would have never passed the Censor Board today. Today, a politician, a don or a religious leader gets up and has objections about so many things. A person can have a problem with a few dialogues but not the theme.
Does this curb creativityIJ
It does, to a certain extend. The industry should push the boundaries despite this. Take what Merryl Streep said about Donald Trump at the Golden Globes. She probably didn’t think of the fallout. People involved in a project should stand together. The only people standing with me are the Maharashtra Police and the Censor Board.
Did you anticipate trouble when you were writing the scriptIJ
When I was discussing the idea with my wife and even while writing it, I did think that there might be a problem. But Coffee... is a small budget movie. I didn’t think people like Chhota Shakeel would notice it. In fact, when I got the call I tried to reason and said that this is one movie in which D doesn’t die.
Is comedy what you likeIJ
I promised myself that the two genres that I would never touch would be horror and comedy. I love ghazals and watch world cinema. I was interested in making biopics and am working on two. But then, Coffee With D happened and then I worked on a project with Govinda and Vashu Bhagnani — a political satire which did not take off. That got me interested.
Has Coffee... been worth the angstIJ
Yes. My family and friends are with me. We all understand the dynamics of the industry and the business. Once you make a product, you stand by it. This film wants to say something. There have been films that don’t see the light of day for years. I am lucky that my film is releasing in 10 months.
Why do TV actors not do well in filmsIJ
I believe that people who came from TV like Shah Rukh Khan and Sushant Singh Rajput made it big because of their personal capability and exceptional talent. Shah Rukh was never a rage on TV; he was popular. He became a rage in films. People like Amar Upadhyay, a rage on the small screen did not do well in films. Some people are made for films. Sunil Grover is made for bigger things.
What do you think of TVIJ
I don’t watch TV at all, I hate it. I don’t get the medium. I don’t like the size of the screen. I hate the ads that interrupt the continuity. If serials would release on 70 mm I would watch them.
You are working on a biopic. Tell us about it.
One biopic I am working on is Anil Gurav, a cricketer from Maharashtra in the 80s. When he retired there was a two-page write-up on him in a newspaper. When Sachin Tendulkar had made his first century, Gurav was is captain at Sassanian (cricket club). Sachin was using Gurav’s bat. That is how I got a lead into the story.
Do you have an audience in mind for your filmIJ
I want people who love intelligent cinema to come and see the movie. I also want Sunil Grover fans to see it. I want people who keep complaining that we don’t make good comedy to see it too. Humne us tarhe ki movie banai hain jo nahin banti.