‘Daddy Cool’ doesn’t mock funerals: Director

NEW DELHI - Forthcoming laugh riot “Daddy Cool” is about a funeral gone wrong, but it doesn’t make fun of the solemn ceremony, says Hyderabad-based director K. Murli Mohan Rao who marks his return to Bollywood with the film.

“We have woven the story around a funeral in our comedy, but it doesn’t mock the serious occasion. It is not meant to hurt people’s sentiments at all. I’m sure once people see the film, they will not take it in a bad taste,” Rao told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

“The film is not just about the funeral…there are a series of underlying situations. It is a lighthearted family drama with a lot of laughter in it,” he added.

Starring Aarti Chhabria, Ashish Chowdhry, Tulip Joshi, Aftab Shivdasani, Javed Jaffrey and Prem Chopra, the film is releasing Aug 28.

Rao, who has so far directed 15 Telugu movies and 10 Hindi films, has returned to Bollywood after seven years with “Daddy Cool”.

“I was busy with my personal life and some family problems. Also another reason to take the long break was that I didn’t want to jump at any opportunity that came my way. I was waiting for the right subject to make a film,” said Rao who started his career in 1983 with a Telugu film, “Sangharshana”.

Rao’s last Hindi venture was “Kya Yahi Pyar Hai” that had Ameesha Patel and Aftab Shivdasani in the lead roles. He also made films like “Prem Qaidi” and “Kahin Pyar Na Ho Jaaye”, but says this is his first comedy.

“I did not face any problems in directing ‘Daddy Cool’, even though this was my first comedy ever. It was like being on a picnic,” said the director.

“Comedy is not my forte but one has to change with time. Now cinemagoers are mainly youngsters and they like watching lighter films. They want laughter and no burden attached. They want something that will entertain them completely. That’s why I ventured into this,” he added.

But hasn’t the audience received an overdose of comedies in recent times?

“I dont think people are overburdened with comedies. Comic capers do well, if they are made well. And I think people will never get bored of them. As long as you can make them laugh for the given two hours, audiences won’t complain,” he said.

When asked whether he would like to venture into the same genre again, pat came the reply: “I’m a professional; so I am ready to dabble in different genres and new subjects. I will never confine myself to just one thing.”