In a career that has spanned 12 years, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom marks Bobby Deol’s first ever movie with Yash Raj Films. In the film, he plays a half British, half Punjabi character called Steve.
Deol shares his Jhoom Barabar Jhoom experience.
Excerpts:
How was the experience working with Yash Raj Films on Jhoom Barabar Jhoom?
They are such an organised company. The production house is completely equipped and there is not a single stone left unturned to get the best. The songs were shot in London with so much emphasis on the look and the sets were so well done. Also, we were very well looked after.
What is your character like?
Usually, I do get roles which are always more connected to Punjab because I am from Punjab. My character is a guy called Steve, who is half British, half Punjabi. When I heard the script, it felt like the character was written with me in mind. That made it easy but then at the same time, it gets difficult because it is so you, you have to be slightly different in different ways! Still, it was good fun.
What was your reaction when you first read the script? What made you decide to do this film?
When I read the script, I felt like the role was written for me and even Adi said that to me. Before he mentioned the subject to me, I wanted to hear the script because there are so many people in the film. I didn’t expect to hear a great role. Then I read the script and found that it actually made me laugh.
Everybody has worked hard and it’s been written really well. When we were shooting the scenes and when we were doing the workshops, everything was just falling in place.
What do you think of the music of Jhoom Barabar Jhoom?
This is the second time I am working with Shankar Ehsaan Loy, they have always been different in all their films. Jhoom… is completely different from what they have done earlier and also because the movie is directed by Shaad, who has his own mad side to him and he brings that out in his music as well. He has his sense of humour which everyone has seen in his earlier films.
JBJ is a musical film and the situations are handled with songs, so the songs are amazing, especially the title track Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. I am not saying so because it’s my film but it is just such a great song. Even the promo brings out the energy of the film because this film is completely over the top.
How was it working with Vaibhavi Merchant as the choreographer?
I have known Vaibhavi from the time she was assisting Rekhaji and Chinniji during Gupt. At that time, she was a very shy girl but now, she’s a completely different person but the same at heart.
I am working with her for the third time now, but this time, we really worked hard for a film for all the songs and she was amazing. Not just giving great moments or dance steps, but also getting the emotions right with the steps and that’s very important for us.
How was it working with Aki Narula who has created your look for the film?
The look is very important because it’s musical. Music plays a very important part, so there were a lot of clothes required. The character that I am playing is of this really big lawyer who is a big shot, so we had to give him that Anglo Brit kind of feel.
This is the first time I am working with Aki and he is very creative, I mean he’s given us the clothes which I would love to wear but still, they are a little over the top. The clothes spoke and made it so comfortable for the character to come across in a right way.
How was your experience working in a multi starrer?
The star cast was ruled by Aquarians because Abhishek, Preity and I are all Aquarians so I guess they all love each other. Abhishek and I worked together for the first time and it was good fun. I have known him since he was a kid and we have always got along before he and I started work.
Preity did her first film with me and we go a long way back from even before she started working. With Lara, I have done quite a few films, so everybody knew each other so well. Everybody was totally into the script and into their work.
