Yash Raj Films’ next Bachna Ae Haseeno is slated to release this month. The film will see actor Ranbir Kapoor opposite three actresses – Bipasha Basu, Minissha Lamba and Deepika Padukone.
In the film, Ranbir essays the character of the quintessential ‘Raj’ of Yash Raj Films and romances three women. The film is directed by Siddharth Anand
This will be Ranbir’s second film after his debut in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya last year opposite Sonam Kapoor.
In this interview, Ranbir Kapoor shares his experiences.
Excerpts:
What was it about this film that made you decide to do it?
Firstly, it was the script. I remember I was still working on Saawariya and was not accepting any movies because I thought I would wait until its release. Then Siddharth called and said Adi wants to meet me, and they offered me a script to read and decide if I want to do. At the back of mind, I was ready to say no, because I was so sure that I would only sign a movie after Saawariya releases. However, I said to myself that I might as well read the script.
It took me two days to read the script; it was really engaging and cinematic the way it was written. I also loved how the movie grows. I loved my character and other characters. It is a journey of a boy from age 18 to 30 years, the relationships in his life, and how he finds his redemption. I think it is one of those rare scripts that just happened to come along, and I was just lucky to grab it.
Can you tell us something more about your character in the film?
My character is called Raj. He is the quintessential Yash Raj hero. He is a fun-loving person, mischievous and flirty, vulnerable, unassuming and happy go lucky person who looks naughty and has the looks to kill. He is quite a cult when it comes to dealing with women and at the same time, you will see a level of maturity in him.
How was your experience working with Siddharth Anand?
Siddharth Anand has seen me born. We have been family friends since ages, so I was very comfortable with him. He understands me as a person and I think it is very important for a director and an actor to have that kind of a relationship, because you know the persons weakness and strengths and how he will and will not react to a certain situation.
As a director, he knows what he wants. He always gives scope for improvisation and adding something to a scene, but just collaborating with him has been a wonderful experience and I hope that I get to work with him in the near future.
What do you think about the music of Bachna Ae Haseeno?
Phenomenal, I love the music of Bachna Ae Haseeno. Saawariya had a different old-world kind of music. It was more melodious. Therefore, this is my first commercial album and I am super excited about it. I like Khuda Jaane, Ahista Ahista and Jogi Mahi. These are screenplay-based songs, so when one sees the movie they will enjoy the songs more, and this is one of those rare cases where a song actually takes the movie ahead.
How was your experience working with Minissha Lamba?
There is a void of Preity Zinta kind of actress in today’s time and I think Minissha Lamba fits it perfectly to the "T". Lamba is one of the people who has no negativity inside her and is very unassuming. She kept to her own on the sets. When Siddharth called her for shots, she used to be an avid listener as to what Siddharth wants. She has played an 18 year and 25 year old, so you can see the growth in her character too.
And, how was your experience with Bipasha Basu?
Bipasha Basu is the hottest women on this planet earth. We all were star struck when she was on the set and taken aback on how hot she is. She is just wonderful and such a great human being. I was lucky enough to strike a close friendship with her and hangout beyond shooting. I do not think any actress could portray the role that she has. She plays the character of a small town girl Radhika and I am having a relation with a woman who is three to four years older than I am.
What was it like to work with Deepika Padukone?
Deepika and I were offered the movie simultaneously. We started our readings at the same time in August 2007 when we were working in Om Shanti Om and Saawariya respectively, so we have actually seen this movie from its conceiving stage. It was awesome working with her, firstly because she is my girlfriend and secondly she is such a talented actress.
She focuses on the scene, dialogue and the way her director wants her to do it. People ask me whether I have a good chemistry with Deepika. I don’t think I can answer that, only after the movie releases and the audience reacts to it, is when you can say a couple has chemistry or not. So, I await that, and I hope people like our work and pairing.
