Rohit Shetty Interview: I’m content with making films. Never thought to be in one!

Filmmaker Rohit Shetty, who is best known for his work in the comedy genre, especially the Golmaal film franchise, is back with the latest instalment of the series, titled Golmaal Again. The film entered cinemas on Diwali and is still going pretty strong at the box office. Before the release of the comic-caper, Rohit talked to Eastern Eye and revealed a lot of things about the franchise, his upcoming projects and why he is proud of films he makes.

How was it going back to Golmaal?

When we made Golmaal 3 we tried the horror element in it though it didn’t work out then. When we started making Singham Returns we again began working on the plan to make another Golmaal film in the series. We had written a draft, we knew we wanted it to be a horror comedy but we couldn’t crack the whole script. After Singham Returns, we were able to break through and then it was time to make Golmaal Again.

How do you balance the expectation that the audience has with the new sequel?

People have loved the three parts of Golmaal and two parts of Singham, you cannot take that for granted and all you can do is try something new every time. I think people loved the promos of Golmaal Again because of the horror element and when we decided on the horror element we had to decide what’s next. You can’t cheat the audience just because you have a great title and people loved the previous films.

How true are the rumours of you planning Golmaal 5?

Yeah, I read it in the papers somewhere that I am making Golmaal 5. If this works, we will definitely move forward with the next instalment. Right now let’s just see how Golmaal Again would progress at the box office. Till now every film in the franchise has worked. Sometimes you feel satisfied when your film falls in just the right spaces and people like it. Now how much they like it, how much they loved it I don’t know but that honesty is there in every film.

Would you pick up Singham 3 first or Golmaal 5?

Right now neither I have the script for Singham 3 nor do I have that of Golmaal 5. So whichever comes first, whichever script is cracked first we will move forward with that. Though if Golmaal Again works we will most definitely continue with the franchise and the sequel for Singham is obviously a plan.

What could you tell us about the film with Ranveer Singh?

That is the next film, after this. It is not yet titled though we have the script ready. The shooting will start around May. We still have a lot of time. It is an action film.

How was it working with Tabu?

Tabu’s role is not in the same zone with Arshad, Tushar, Ajay and others. She is in a different zone altogether. I think she is the anchor of the film. Her character has come out very nicely.

How hard was it to bring a supernatural topic into the film when the current generation is so sceptical about it?

Horror comedies have always been there. When you will see the film you will realize that there is a supernatural element in the film but it’s not to scare anyone or to convince people that this happens. It is just one of the elements in the film and it has been a long time since a big entertainment has had such element in it.

Is there a reason why almost all the Golmaal films in the franchise are released during Diwali?

I think because it’s a Diwali film, it’s an entertaining film. When we started making the film all the stuff was falling into the right place and time and hence we decided to release the film on Diwali.

How do you balance such a huge cast while making sure every character is shown justifiably?

It’s a lot of hard work. Technically, it’s not about 18 characters; it’s about 18 people coming on the set, standing on their mark with their 18 makeup men and 18 hairdressers so it becomes really difficult. Though handling them is fine because we have one place where the whole unit sits, the same hall every year for all my films. Every morning and every night when we pack up we do the next day’s rehearsal so when the actors come on set the next day they see the whole scene and everything are clear then we start rolling.

Have you ever thought of staring in a film?

I am content with making films. I have never thought to be in one. Right now it’s working.

The trailer showed a very colourful setting, was this original?

Yes, it’s all planning. We wanted to bring this brightness, this colour. The movie took 5 months in making, though the planning of the setting took us one year. There are a lot of graphics in the film and we wanted to create a Disney feeling.

What is your experience making commercial films?

I am proud of it. I am happy I am doing it. People are liking it and there is a lot of hard work in the making. Not just me, my whole team works for 17 to 18 hours a day. Making a commercial film is not easy but the sad part is that it’s always looked down upon. It is very difficult to make a commercial film. It took 5000 people to handle the opening song, every shot used to take us half the day sometimes. Making it is very difficult and I am proud of it.

How do you see yourself involved with each movie as a director?

I try to upgrade my technique. I am trying to upgrade what I am seeing, the story I am seeing. I believe in entertaining films and I see to it that they don’t look outdated where the whole canvas is concerned and try to upgrade in the entertainment field. I keep on working on that.

Do you believe all your films have the same atmosphere?

I am happy in my space. Golmaal Again is an entertaining film that’s why people say it’s the same genre but I do not see Singham and Golmaal in the same genre. I don’t see the presentation and the characterisation as same. I don’t see it that way.