Talaash producer Ritesh Sidhwani gets talking to Mirror about his so-called fall out with Farhan, his rapport with Aamir Khan and the company's roadmap for the future
Q) Was it mandatory for Excel Entertainment to co-produce Talaash with Aamir Khan and Don 2 with Shah Rukh Khan as both actors are known towork only on profit-sharing basis?
A) While Don 2 wasn't a co-production with Red Chillies, we have co-produced Talaash with Aamir. Think of it, why not? Yes, Shah Rukh and Aamir do work on a profit-sharing basis and don't charge a fee. But we are not going to follow the same working model with every person. It would depend on what the person brings to the table.
Q) Do you miss Farhan as a director? There were rumours the two of you were on the verge of parting ways?
A) Farhan and I are very much together, and we love working together. Our sensibilities amtch, so much so we haven't defined our roles in the company. We know our strengths and give space to each other. And there are people who are unhappy to see we have figured out a way to work together. The day we decide to part ways, everybody will know. Farhan will be back as a director in 2013. He has zeroed down on two stories from two different genres. He will start writing one of them by December as soon as he is done with Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.
Q) Can you tell us who will direct and star in Fukrey? And what happned to the subsequent installments of Don and Rock On!?
A) Mrig Lamba, the Assistant Director on Don 2, is directing Fukrey. Among others, Pulkit Samrat, Richa Chaddha and Priya Anand will be in the lead. As for the next Don outing, we don't have script yet. If we get it, we'll go ahead. However, we are ready with the Rock On! sequel where we retain most of the cast of the original. Again, Abhishek Kapoor will helm the project.
Q) You stood up against the Censor Board when it objected to smoking scenes in Don 2. But this time round, you seemed to have relented.
A) In Talaash, we had no choice. The Information & Broadcasting Ministry has made it compulsory to use tickers for the smoking scenes. However, as an industry, together, we will soon fight this issue. We've been asked not to glorify smoking but what about rapes and murders? Why are those scenes going scot-free?
Q) There seem to be too many controversies around Talaash. Is this part of a strategy to create hype around the film?
A) Am I so stupid to create controversies? I can say I am far too intelligent to resort to gimmicks to survive in the industry. I can create a good content to draw people to the theatres. Talaash has a wonderful script. It is the second one I read after becoming producer with Dil Chahta Hai. And it has been great working with Aamir after 11 years. He is so involved with the film throughout. And we both have matured a lot since (laughs).
Q) Was it mandatory for Excel Entertainment to co-produce Talaash with Aamir Khan and Don 2 with Shah Rukh Khan as both actors are known towork only on profit-sharing basis?
A) While Don 2 wasn't a co-production with Red Chillies, we have co-produced Talaash with Aamir. Think of it, why not? Yes, Shah Rukh and Aamir do work on a profit-sharing basis and don't charge a fee. But we are not going to follow the same working model with every person. It would depend on what the person brings to the table.
Q) Do you miss Farhan as a director? There were rumours the two of you were on the verge of parting ways?
A) Farhan and I are very much together, and we love working together. Our sensibilities amtch, so much so we haven't defined our roles in the company. We know our strengths and give space to each other. And there are people who are unhappy to see we have figured out a way to work together. The day we decide to part ways, everybody will know. Farhan will be back as a director in 2013. He has zeroed down on two stories from two different genres. He will start writing one of them by December as soon as he is done with Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.
Q) Can you tell us who will direct and star in Fukrey? And what happned to the subsequent installments of Don and Rock On!?
A) Mrig Lamba, the Assistant Director on Don 2, is directing Fukrey. Among others, Pulkit Samrat, Richa Chaddha and Priya Anand will be in the lead. As for the next Don outing, we don't have script yet. If we get it, we'll go ahead. However, we are ready with the Rock On! sequel where we retain most of the cast of the original. Again, Abhishek Kapoor will helm the project.
Q) You stood up against the Censor Board when it objected to smoking scenes in Don 2. But this time round, you seemed to have relented.
A) In Talaash, we had no choice. The Information & Broadcasting Ministry has made it compulsory to use tickers for the smoking scenes. However, as an industry, together, we will soon fight this issue. We've been asked not to glorify smoking but what about rapes and murders? Why are those scenes going scot-free?
Q) There seem to be too many controversies around Talaash. Is this part of a strategy to create hype around the film?
A) Am I so stupid to create controversies? I can say I am far too intelligent to resort to gimmicks to survive in the industry. I can create a good content to draw people to the theatres. Talaash has a wonderful script. It is the second one I read after becoming producer with Dil Chahta Hai. And it has been great working with Aamir after 11 years. He is so involved with the film throughout. And we both have matured a lot since (laughs).
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