Aamir Khan gets talking about the genesis of wife Kiran Rao's Dhobi Ghat, his association with it and how he almost never did the film
Aamir Khan gets talking about the genesis of wife Kiran Rao's Dhobi Ghat, his association with it and how he almost never did the film
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And to think Aamir Khan was worried he wouldn't like his wife Kiran Rao's script for Dhobi Ghat! AK eventually had to slyly wriggle his way into the film and convince his biwi, the director, that he had to be in the film. He recounts his fears, apprehensions and his experience of working with female directors.
What excited you most about Dhobi Ghat as a producer and as an actor?
I loved the script. When Kiran first told me she was working on a script, I was nervous. One day it would be ready and what if I didn't like it? Nothing about the cast was discussed at that time. Finally, she said 'The script is ready and you can hear it'. I told her. 'Let's go to Coonoor. Mansoor has been calling us for a long time, he and I will hear it together.' I thought that if he didn't like it, and I didn't either, it would be easier on me. Mansoor, his wife Tina and I listened to the script. And from the first scene itself, the script grabbed us. I loved the characters and the way she wrote the script. It was very fine writing and I was really impressed. One of the signs of a good writer is that the characters all speak a different language. I found the script very moving. All three of us loved it. I was looking at her with new eyes.
That's when you decided to produce it.
Yes, after hearing the script, I said I was happy to produce it. When it came to casting, I really liked the role of Munna, which Prateik is playing, but it is the role of a young boy in his twenties, so there's no way I could do it. All the four are equally important but that's the role that's really author-backed. I even told Kiran, I'd really love to play Munna, but that I was not the right age. She said, 'Why are you discussing all that? I am not offering you the film or either part.' And I went 'Oh'. She didn't want me for various reasons.
Like star baggage?
Yes, for one, then she also said, 'The film will get imbalanced if there's a big star like you and the other three are new. Plus, I want to shoot guerilla style a very small crew, shooting on the road, on real locations. With you, I can't do all that.' Then she started the casting and began testing various Aruns (the character I eventually did). So I said: 'Why don't you test me? See what I am doing... not for me to do the role just to see how the character would be.' Then, she came to Hyderabad where I was shooting for Ghajini. I did the test for both Arun and Munna (she had not cast that too, then). That was my way of entering the film slyly you know once she saw my test she would cast me. And she still went on searching for Arun but couldn't find the right person and one day she told me, 'I think you should do the role.' But how would we handle the practical side? I said that we would. So when you ask me what excites me about Arun, my honest answer is that Munna excites me. I wanted to be a part of K's film, on an emotional note, but Munna excites me more. Arun is a good character.
It's not an entirely commercial film, does that increase the risk factor? It is different from what you've done before...
Yes and No. Yes, because people are not used to seeing me in these kind of films. In fact, people are not used to seeing these kind of films, period. But on the flip side, I've always done different films, so people are used to the fact that this guy always does something dramatically different and that is also there in people's minds. On the commercial side, the risk is very less because the film was made in R 5 crore. I don't see us not making that money. It's more about how people like the film and that's what Kiran and I are concerned about. I really believe this is the best film coming out of my production house. So I am really keen that people also feel that way.
You've worked with a lot of first time directors, how was this different?
In that sense, it was not different. All the first-time directors I've worked with have been very focused and passionate. So was Kiran. Her strength is that she is extremely clear about what she wants, she knows how to get it and doesn't compromise till she's got it. She is very good with people. And filmmaking is all about how you inspire people,u00a0 make them feel good about themselves, so they come out with their best, whether it's actors or technicians. Her energy is positive and it bounces off those around her.
It's a female thing, no?
No. Aisa kuch nahin hai. I don't think so. Raju (Hirani) has a great energy as well. It's a personality thing. That's Kiran's strength her ability to connect with people and she is a great writer. She also comes with a very fresh approach to cinema and filmmaking which I find very refreshing. The kind of point-of-view she has and the kind of sensibility she has is very different, that's why the film is different. She believes in the detail.
How involved were you with the film besides being an actor?
I was involved with the film like I am with all my films. I was producer as well, like any other film.
When Kiran unveiled her film to the media, you stayed away. Was it because you didn't want to take away the attention from her?
No, it was nothing like that. My audience and my public trust me a lot, and I give a value and regard and respect to that trust. I want them to know that this is not an Aamir Khan film, I don't want to send them the wrong signal, that's why I was not there. I'm very particular about what I am communicating. Now that we've completed the film, we are inviting the audience to see it. I want them to know that it is an arthouse film, not an Aamir Khan film. People work hard to earn money and they have the right to decide if they want to see the film. I feel I have been honest in telling them what my films have been about. And I want to keep doing that. We didn't shy away from saying in Peepli [Live], that it is a political and social satire even though satire has never worked in India and they run away from the word 'social'. I want my audience to consciously and subconsciously absorb the fact that this is a very different film.
So you won't be promoting it?
I will. It's my film as much as Kiran's so I will be promoting it. But the amount of time I spend promoting it or the manner in which I promote it will be different.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of working with your spouse?
(laughs) I have to say it was very smooth like a dream, except Day One. On the first day, when I was shooting, I felt that Kiran was just not bothered about me. She was bothered about everyone else except me. She was taking me for granted. So after four hours I was like, 'Is this how the rest of the shoot is going to be?'
Who felt that way the husband or the actor?
The actor. Certainly the actor. I am an actor on the set and I need my time. I need my attention. Don't treat me like your husband, treat me like an actor on the set. So I told her, 'I need to talk to you.' We were shooting in the flat that day. I took her to a room and told her 'What are you doing?' And she said, 'What am I doing?' I told her, 'Don't treat me like your husband. I am an actor on the set. I need time and attention. And when I say something, listen to me. If I was an actor who was not married to you, and I said 'Let's do this', you'd have listened to me. But when I am talking, you are not even listening to me, you are looking somewhere else, or you are cutting me halfway, because you are used to cutting me halfway at home'.' So then she said, 'Am I doing that? I didn't realise it. Okay, I'll take care.' Once I told her that, we were totally fine. After the first day, it was really smooth sailing. That's why I feel when you are disturbed about something, you should reach out to that person and say, 'Mujhe yeh disturb ho raha hai.' And that's not just between husband and wife. The other person may not be aware of it. Imagine, the whole film would have gone with feelings,u00a0 'Why is she doing this?'
So you loved the experience of working with "K"?
I really enjoy working with her, she is a great director, she is a great partner. When I heard the script, I fell in love with her again. I was already in love with her, but I didn't know she had such talent, such a unique perspective on things that she brought out in the script. That which I experienced when I heard the script, I experienced again when we made the film. She was totally in control, as an actor I was totally comfortable trusting her. When she says, 'No, I don't want this,' even if it is something I am telling her, I know I can trust she is taking the right decision. So the way she was in control of the set, of her actors, of her technicians.
So you won the creative arguments?
That depends. See, the director always wins the creative arguments. Even if he agrees with you, he or she has won the argument. Because the director is only concerned with what is good for the film. Whether a spot boy or a DoP or an actor or a guest tells him that. A good director says, 'Yes, that's right, we should take that advice.' When a director decides to take that advice or suggestion, it becomes his decision. So I always believe that the director wins that argument, whether he agrees with you or disagrees with you.
All your first-time directors have done a good job with you, but their second film has not hit the mark.
Do you think Kiran will bear the burden of that?
I don't think that's entirely true.
Everyone thinks this director has done a fabulous job and then after the second film, they realise it was you after all.
That's totally untrue. I want you to know that all the directors I've worked with are people I think are very talented. Otherwise, I would not have worked with them. And what they have made with me is something that has come from within them, whether it is Rakeysh Mehra or Farhan or Ashutosh Gowariker. I am not saying I don't have the contribution as an actor, but none of these films have been directed by me. Filmmaking is not an easy job, sometimes you do it well, sometimes you don't do it well. It happens to the best of us. So it's got nothing to do with that. Maybe there next film was not that good, but it's got nothing to do with me.
So people will still wait for Kiran's second film.
That won't be a problem, but it will be up to Kiran.
The last two directors you worked with didn't go down very well Anusha Rizvi and Amole Gupte. Do
you want to comment on what Anusha has been saying?
I believe everyone has the right to their opinion. I have not read exactly what she said, but she is entitled to her opinion. As far as I am concerned, I think I am fully aware of the responsibilities of the producer and I intend to shoulder them, no matter what other people's opinions are.
It's my film as much as Kiran's so I will be promoting it. But the amount of time I spend promoting it or the manner in which I promote it will be different
On the commercial side, the risk is very less because the film was made in Rs 5 crore. I don't see us not making that money. It's more about how people like the film and that's what Kiran and I are concerned about
Kiran is a great director, she is a great partner. When I heard the script, I fell in love with her again. I was already in love with her, but I didn't know she had such talent, such a unique perspective on things that she brought out in the script
I want people to know that it is an arthouse film, not an Aamir Khan film. People work hard to earn money and they have the right to decide if they want to see the film
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