What made you determine to make Merry Christmas?
In 2004, when Ram Gopal Varma watched the ultimate lower of Ek Hasina Thi, he instructed me, ‘you will have made a superb movie.
Now don’t attempt to repeat it. You need to do one thing utterly completely different.’ That caught with me… Andhadhun was an enormous success with the audiences and critics. I used to be very clear that I don’t wish to comply with that template for achievement. I had the story of Merry Christmas for a number of years, and felt it was a superb time to do it. For the reason that earlier movie was successful, I felt inspired to take some contemporary dangers.
Did the title Merry Christmas evolve over time?
Oh sure, I had a few Hindi titles primarily based on a few of my favorite songs. Some choices I bear in mind are Raat akeli Hai, Raat ke Hamsafar, Baat ek raat ki and so forth. Then got here Honey Trehan’s Raat akeli hai and I felt any title with raat would give an analogous vibe. It was Dinesh Vijan who recommended MERRY CHRISTMAS as a title. It was easy, and but good within the context of our story.
Had been Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi the unique selections? If sure, why did you need them for his or her respective roles?
I wished the story to have a dream-like high quality. In my thoughts, I attempted varied typical pairings, however some X issue gave the impression to be lacking. A lot of the stars had already labored with one another. For the reason that story is about two strangers assembly on Christmas eve, I wished an out of the field pairing. Katrina is a glamorous star and Vijay is thought for his rooted characters. The opposites attracted me.
Did Katrina and Vijay shock you as actors in any means?
Positively. It was the primary time I used to be working with both of them. I can fortunately say that they enhanced the writing with their performances. I imply, how do you write chemistry in a script? That was purely on them.
In what methods are the Hindi and Tamil variations of the movie completely different from one another?
It’s the similar supply materials however the two languages have completely different idioms, and there are delicate variations in each variations.
Do you suppose the Christmas week of 2023 was a greater window for the discharge?
Positively. We had introduced our launch in December, however then I noticed that the month was filled with large releases, and we didn’t wish to get caught within the blood tub. We might additionally not get our alternative of cinemas, therefore we pushed the dates.
What sort of battles do you continue to need to combat to make the cinema of your alternative?
The same old battles. Casting selections, budgets, trailer chopping, advertising and marketing concepts and extra. Most vital is the battle inside the thoughts, concerning how finest to inform the story in a cinematic method.
Merry Christmas First Day First Present Public Evaluate: Katrina Kaif, Vijay Sethupathi, Sriram Raghavan
After Merry Christmas, what are you going to make subsequent?
I’ve already commenced capturing of IKKIS, primarily based on the story of Arun Khetarpal, the younger tank commander who was martyred while defending a vital sector within the 1971 battle. It stars Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat, together with Agastya Nanda, who performs the battle hero. We’ve accomplished an vital part of the movie. We are going to resume capturing from February this yr.
How was it working with Dharmendra in Ikkis?
Dharamji is a deal with to work with. As an actor, he’s hungrier and extra onerous working than many youthful actors at present. Everybody loves him on the units. I completely get pleasure from speaking to him about among the nice movies and administrators he has labored with in his illustrious profession.
How do you have a look at your journey in cinema to date?
I’ve been fortunate with my actors and despite the fact that each movie wasn’t an enormous hit, we by no means misplaced cash, and managed to make our form of cinema.
It has been 20 years because you made your first characteristic. Do you suppose you might have directed extra movies?
Nicely…undoubtedly, however for varied causes it didn’t occur. Ridley Scott and Woody Allen would have made twenty movies on this interval!
Is there a movie that you’ve got been desirous to make, however have not received the prospect to make it?
Fortunately, I’ve not had a dearth of producers who’re prepared to again me. I’ve varied concepts, remedies that are half carried out, or half baked, so it’s all the time a piece in progress.
The way in which movies are made (the present and the biz a part of it), what’s one thing that you have made peace with, contemplating you have needed to combat to make the form of cinema you need ?
I don’t get pleasure from promotions, however I do know it must be carried out, merely to unfold consciousness concerning the movie. My movies largely depend on phrase of mouth publicity. And hopefully, good evaluations by esteemed critics.
How is Katrina as an actor? The final impression is that she is a big star, however as an actor she nonetheless wants a job that challenges her..
Please watch MERRY CHRISTMAS and you’ll get your reply…
