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Director Siddharth Anand – who turns four films old with Anjaani Anjaani – is no newbie when it comes to handling star link-ups. But even he agrees that the rumoured Bollywood couple, Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra, do connect very well. In an exclusive interview with Komal Nahta, Editor, Koimoi.com, Siddharth talks about the film’s leading actors, the release postponement and his expectations.
Watch More: Anjaana Anjaani Movie Stills
The ‘Dabangg’ Effect
Anjaana Anjaani’s postponement created a lot of speculation that it was due to the Dabangg mania. However, our real worry was about the machinery goes into releasing the film. ‘Dabangg’ was a very strong film that took the center stage in September. The audience and the media’s attention was taken over. Now, two weeks later, ‘Anjaana Anjaani’ has become really hot. I didn’t have the actors (for publicity) as they were shooting abroad. Now, Ranbir Kapoor and PC (Priyanka Chopra) are promoting the film 15 hours in a day!
“Ranbir is fun loving and Priyanka is grounded. They balance each other out.”
Star Struck!
Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra are unbelievably good together. Now that they have come back (after shooting schedules abroad) and I see them together, (I realise that) they make a good couple. The fact is that they connect very well emotionally. Ranbir is fun loving and Priyanka is grounded. They balance each other out.
Labour of Love
Of course, I want a lot of publicity for the film. I have given two years of my life to the film. In the same period, the producer (Sajid Nadiadwala) has come out with Housefull; even Ranbir and Priyanka have shot for other films. I have a lot more at stake and more to lose here. It is a strange phenomenon in Bollywood that if the film is a hit, the stars get all the credit; and if it doesn’t do well, the director loses more than anybody else.
‘Anjaana Anjaani’: The Inspiration
After Bachna Ae Haseeno, I was writing an underworld crime film, tentatively titled Kings with Ranbir in mind. (Producer) Sajid Nadiadwala had even registered the title. I decided that I would make a light romantic comedy after ‘Kings’.
I wondered if anything had been left to do in romantic comedies – class, caste, parental conflict have all been done to death. So what is the new conflict that I could use for my film? That is when my wife came up with a thought. I realised that there has never been a film like this! Within a week, we had the shell of the story ready and in four months we had the first draft. Which is when I took it to Ranbir and Priyanka Chopra. They were my first choices for ‘Anjaana Anjaani’.
My Best So Far
Categorically, this is my best film so far. In fact, during the trial screening of the film, I was overwhelmed when I was reaching the climax of the film. I texted my wife that ‘this is my best film’. It is my most honest effort. I also tell my actors that. After that would be Salaam Namaste, ‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’ and Ta Ra Rum Pum.
“‘Anjaana Anjaani’ is a fluffy love story.”
What to Expect?
‘Anjaana Anjaani’ will surprise you. It has a layer of a message that all my stories have had. It’s an entertaining, love story on a burning, contemporary issue. You’ll have to see what the climax is (for the real deal). It’s a fluffy love story that can be set anywhere.
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