Shoojit says his forthcoming movie Madras Café is no James Bond film. It is a political thriller. He chatted with Karan Bhardwaj
From Hollywood’s James Bond to India’s Tiger (Ek Tha Tiger), intelligence agents on screen have done breathtaking stunts. However, John Abraham, who is playing the role of Indian intelligence officer in Madras Café won’t indulge in larger-than-life action. According to director Shoojit Sircar, Madras Café is not a James Bond-ish film and doesn’t typecast an agent doing unwanted stunts.
“My actors won’t jump from skyscrapers nor would they break glasses. All these stunts are absolutely not required in a sensible, sophisticated political thriller. My film would show the serious processes, diplomatic issues, intelligence traps and other matters that are involved in any nation’s security plans and how it deals with terror activities. We have seen a lot of action-packed intelligence stories in the past which I think present an unreal picture,” said the director, best-known for Vicky Donor.
Madras Café took six years to materialise. “John and I prioritised Vicky Donor over Madras Café. Then I got busy with Shoebite. Finally it is happening. let me assure the audience that they will be surprised to see John Abraham in this film. He has not played such an intense role before,” he said.
His Vicky Donor presented a serious issue in an entertaining manner but Madras Café has no humour. “It is a brainy script. You cannot expect entertainment since it deals with serious issue of intelligence and terrorism. It has covert actions and operations — how an intelligence officer falls into a trap and how he combats it. We have shot extensively in Indian and Sri lanka,” he said. Sircar had a series of meetings with officials of intelligence agencies. “I met number of retired officers who gave me insight into their work. I visited their offices and found out how they carry day-to-day operations,” he said. The films deals with rebellious militant groups, primarily Sri lanka’s liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
The director rubbished rumours of Ayushmann Khurrana being a part of the film. “He had come for couple of days to assist me on the shoot. He was keen to work with us on sets. So I called him for two days,” he said. The film is produced by both Sircar and John.
“There is absolutely no creative clashes so far. John never interferes in my work. I do what I have to do. Once it is done, I hand it over to him for marketing purposes. Even on sets, he comes as an actor, not the producer,” he shared.
Sircar was speaking to us from Raichak where he is holidaying. “I am really tired. So after the trailor launch, I decided to take a break. I am here close to nature with my family,” he told us. In free time, the filmy buff likes to play football. “I am a sporty person and I am very serious about football. Also, I used to read a lot, but lost out on that habit in the past. Now I want to revive my passion again. I am a family-oriented person and spend my free time with kids,” he said.