You can’t buy a Raju Hirani or a Subhash Kapoor: Arshad Warsi

04/07/2015

From Jolly LLB to now Guddu Rangeela, director Subhash Kapoor and actor Arshad Warsi seem to not just be fond of each other, they enjoy working together which is why they will now also be working on the sequel of Jolly LLB.
While Subhash is serious and Arshad chilled out, they are both bright and like each other's company and sensibilities. In an exclusive conversation with the Bombay Times, ahead of their next film Guddu Rangeela, an entertainer set in Haryana, they talk about what makes their jodi work. Excerpts:
Conversation with Arshad Warsi:
You seem to be really fond of Subhash Kapoor?
You work with a lot of people, but some people stand out of the box. For me, Raju Hirani was that person, not because he gave me a film but in fact, I did the film with him initially because he is a nice person. Raju came into my life, moved on and I never thought I would ever meet anyone again in my life like him, till I met Subhash. When I heard his narration, apart from listening to the script, I completely study the person and am trying to judge whether he is capable of being a director or not. You don't need to be the best assistant in the world to be a good director. Steven Spielberg's assistant might be the worst director in the world. For me, it's purely about the mind and whether you have the right sensibility. And that's why we have a handful of good directors and I had that feeling about Subhash. Of course, I loved the script of Jolly LLB, but once we started working, my thought was confirmed. Raju and Subhash are both immensely talented. They also have the same style of working.
Raju will not let you go till he gets the take he wants. Subhash too will not let you go till he gets the take he wants. The dedication to their work and their genuine sincerity is the same. There are people who are directors and then there are people who like the idea of feeling like directors, as it makes them look intelligent. These are directors. You can't buy a Raju Hirani. You can't buy Subhash Kapoor. You can't tell Raju I am giving you `15 crores, direct my film. He will direct only if he has a story to tell. As an actor, we are all frauds and lazy at times. We will lie to you at times saying this is my best take. And there are very few directors who will catch that and most will get fooled. Few will ask for another take. Raju and Subhash catch that. Throughout the time I worked in Jolly LLB, I was not comfortable and was in pain as I was made to slog, but I was fine with it. For me, it has been great working with Subhash. I would often tell him, 'You being a first-time director, we don't need to be nice to each other. Because if this film is a hit, then you will work with a bigger actor and if this film is a flop, then I will not work with you. So either ways, let's not be nice to each other. Let's just do our job.'
But then despite Jolly LLB being a success, he narrated Guddu Rangeela to me and I was pleasantly surprised.
What is Subhash Kapoor like?
I like him as a person. The fact that he is a very straight guy, who is not complicated at all.
He does not mince his words and is clear about his thought and is a terrific narrator. He is very practical. He is cautious when he is making a film and is worried when things are not in his control. The one thing that I don't like about him is that he takes things too seriously. He needs to lighten up J.
How different is your character of Rangeela from Jolly?
It's quite not like Jolly. Jolly LLB was a satire, Guddu Rangeela is not. It's a realistically commercial film and that's the space I like. I feel that is the future of films and I wish we had started making films like Piku and Tanu Weds Manu Returns 10 years back. We would have been world-class cinema today giving Hollywood a tough time. Guddu Rangeela is written and set in Haryana, where their normal conversation is funny to those who don't live in that place. Just the way they talk and live their life is really funny. It's not that we are not trying to be funny, but it's just that their body language, their sensibility and the language of that region is entertaining.
Also, Subhash writes very good characters. You can always make a sequel when the characters are liked. You can't make a sequel when the film is liked.
He wrote Jolly's character who was instantly liked. He has written the characters of Guddu and Rangeela and I am telling you that you will again like them. They have issues and innocence in their life, have a strange relationship, are hungry for money and yet, they will not cross the boundary. They have goodness and badness, but are funny and likeable.
Conversation with director Subhash Kapoor:
Talk about working with Arshad Warsi?
He is a lot of fun to work with. Every person in the cast will tell you that when Arshad is on the set, there is a lively experience and that eases out so much. And he does not do it for the effect. That's how he is. As an actor, I like the spontaneity in him and have been a huge admirer of that much before we met. I must also tell you how we met. I wrote Jolly LLB three years before I wrote Phas Gaye Re Obama. I was a journalist who wanted to be a filmmaker, who had not gone to film school, had not assisted anybody. And I wanted Arshad in the film. But it took me two years and a Phas Gaye Re Obama to reach him. He had a manager called Bhola and that was the only way to reach Arshad. I would meet Bhola who would look at me and feel, here comes another guy from Delhi claiming to have a great script. I get it and did not have an issue about that and met Bhola many times, but still could not get to meet Arshad. It was only later when I met Aalif from Fox, that he made me meet Arshad and I got to narrate Jolly LLB to him. I vividly remember even what Arshad was wearing that day — a short black kurta of his and loose Goan wrap- around pyjama pants. And I narrated it to him and instantly liked him. I remember seeing him in his first film singing the song Aankh Maare O Ladki Aankh Maare and telling my brother how he would be the next Govinda.
Is there something about Arshad you don't like?
There are times when all directors would like their actors to be a little serious, as a director is pressed for so many things. There are times when Arshad is casual. He will be roaming around the set, joking with somebody, asking about the khaana and then he would ask me, 'Which scene are we doing?' And I would really be worried till when he would perform it and you wonder if he is the same person who just asked you which scene it is, as he performs it with so much ease like makhan. I now understand his process and I believe as a director that I have to adjust to him as an actor to get the best out of him. Giving you a cricketing analogy, you ask any coach in the world and their theory goes that never try to change the way a batsman is playing, try to use it to the benefit of the team. It took me a week to figure out his style. That he doesn't like to keep thinking about his scene or lines, he could be seeing a joke on his twitter, but once you say action, he performs.
Your film Guddu Rangeela is set against the backdrop of honour killing. What is your view on the subject?
There is no space for medieval thoughts and customs like honour killing in a civilised modern society.

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