MUMBAI: The combination of cricket and Bollywood can always be a potent combination in this country. Forthcoming film Hattrick’s promotions innings got off to a solid start last weekend with a cricket match between the film’s cast and a team representing Fedex, the courier company.
The Hattrick team for the 20 match over included captain Nana Patekar, Kunal Kapoor, Malhar Patekar (Nana’s son), director Milan Luthria and well known cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle. Rimi Sen, present at the event clad in the team uniform, cheered her team by thumping enthusiastically on the tambourine.
The toss, led by TV anchor Mini Mathur proved lucky for the Hattrick team, which won and elected to bat. Businessofcinema.com caught up with some of the team players as they waited their turn in the pavilion.
A man of few words, Patekar, who plays a doctor in the film, would only comment, “You have to know the technical aspects of acting. Fortunately my writer and a few of my friends are doctors. See you have to understand the basic character, be it the body language or by observing the subject.”
Kunal Kapoor, who was more at ease chatting with his co-stars in the shade, was more forthcoming. Excerpts:
What’s your role in the film?
My role is that of a Punjabi boy who is an ardent cricket fan; he is immature and hasn’t grown up enough. It is during the film that one sees a change coming about in him.
How did you graduate from being an assistant director (Aks) to acting?
(Laughing) During Aks, I was more in front of the camera than behind it. Rakeysh (Omprakash Mehra) suggested I become an actor and honestly, it was always there at the back of my mind.
How did you land in Hattrick?
No one has ever tried to make a film based on the premise of life itself. I take long to sign a film, but two days after hearing the script, I knew I wanted to do this film. Honestly, this film has been a greater learning experience for me, than even Rang De Basanti.
What about the music video, during which everyone reportedly had a blast?
(Laughing) It was hilarious. There were five of us who couldn’t dance. Each of us was doing five different things, eventually the choreographer gave up. Nana decided to take over the choreography. So what you will see in the video is all of us having fun and doing our thing.
What are you planning to do next?
I am doing four films. There are two Yash Raj films that I am doing and a film with Pradeep Sarkar and one with Anil Mehta, called Aaja Nachle.
Rimi Sen, sitting next to Kapoor, was game for a chat too.
Why did you agree to do Hattrick?
I am a huge Dhoni fan! Besides, I always wanted to work with Milan (Luthria) so I decided to do Hattrick. He has done a fabulous job in making the characters believable; he has really worked hard so all the credit goes to him. I play Kunal’s wife in the film.
Have you signed on any more films?
I have not signed any film as of now. I am waiting for the right role.
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