Tuesday Jun 23 6:14 PM
How was it for you to go back to college in the movie "New York"? What did you enjoy the most about it?
Well I started my career before I was at the age to go to college. So it wasn't an experience of going back to college but rather was like a first time college. I got a chance to experience what that life would have been like. That is probably the reason why I enjoyed it so much. The first day when I landed there I was honestly very awkward and felt completely out of my space. It was a different film for me from what I have done before. By the end of the film I didn't want to leave. The whole process of making "New York" was such an amazing journey for me. I think I found more of myself in the film in the character of Maya than in any other movie I have done so far.
In the song 'Hai Junoon', the three of you have really good chemistry and you are just outstanding and are having so much of fun.
I am really glad to get some appreciation for that because the two of them were looking at me during the whole song like do you mind. Can you stop jumping? Can you stand still or do a movement which requires both of your feet on the ground rather than off the ground? I don't know but I was having fun. There wasn't much choreography. Kabir, Adi and the choreographer said just be spontaneous and have a good time. So I was next to two really spontaneous people who love to dance and so I decided to jump enough for all three of us (Laughs).
How much do you identify yourself with the character of Maya you play in "New York"?
Maya, the character I play in "New York" is and will always be very special for me because I think it is a character the most similar to me. Not necessarily the experiences that she goes through in the film but for the ways she is. Her nature, her personality, the kind of joy and carefree attitude she lives her life is where I identify Maya with me. Towards the end of the film, the way she loves and the ways she is to people is very similar to what I am in real life. While discussing with Kabir about my character, he used to just tell me look in your inner self and that is where you will find Maya.
How was it working with Kabir?
When I first saw Kabir I thought to myself that this is the kind of person I am never going to be able to relate to. There was no connection at all. On my first day on the sets I realized that this man is a very intelligent and knows exactly about human nature. Kabir has been a documentary film maker before making films for our industry. His insight and understanding of human nature has made this film really special. He knows how to relate to everybody and will look at you and understand the kind of person you are. He was like a friend to all of us. He helped all of us find our inner self and made that connection that he wanted to come across in the movie. He did all of that with no pressure, no stress and in the most painless way. It was a wonderful experience to work with him.
Do you find yourself fortunate enough to be working with the renowned production house for "New York"?
Of course! It is actually a dream come true to work with Yash Raj. They are an institution by themselves. I have been very fortunate with other film makers as well. People who I have always worked with have really supported me but definitely working with Yash Raj is a personal achievement. Every actor does want to do a Yash Raj film and I think the fact that I got to do a film like this is great. The film is a new film and has not been seen before. The film is important, dramatic and still emotional which is why I feel it touches your heart.
The music of the film is already topping the charts. What are your views about the music of the film?
The music of the film really took me by surprise. I thought that this is going to be a film which will be more about the story and less music. I knew music would be there but in what capacity was the question. When I saw the film I realized how important role the music has played in taking forward the pace of the film. Music takes you into the story completely. Pritam has just done an amazing job. The music is so unlike from what he has done before.
iconic. And Karan wanted Hrithik Roshan - who he has earlier worked with in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Ghum - to play Amitabh's role. However, the actor has said no to Karan.
2008 to become the world's most watched fiction show on television.
that are set against the backdrop of the tragedy that took place in New York in 2001. While Hollywood has already made 9/11 the subject of several films, and has been done and over with that years ago, Bollywood has only just latched onto the bandwagon. And by the look of it, they don't seem to be letting go anytime soon. These two films come after Bollywood has produced several films about terrorism including Mission Istaanbul, Kabul Express, A Wednesday, Shoot on Sight, Mumbai Meri Jaan et al.
cast and crew, it is more a story of the relationship between three friends as opposed to dealing with 9/11 directly. One will have to wait and see what New York holds and whether it attempts to challenge stereotypes or perpetuate them. But in any case, Bollywood should rethink the 9/11 angle: it just seems too recycled.