“There were debates” - Arshad on issues with HTAG director
By SAMPURNWednesday, March 24, 2010
March 25, 2010 (Sampurn Wire): ‘Hum Tum Aur Ghost’ is all set for release this Friday and producer-actor Arshad Warsi has gone all out to ensure that the film gets adequate visibility and publicity. As he gets sets for another promotional event, we catch him for a quick tête-à-tête and try to get a picture of what really transpired between him and his favourite director Kabir Kaushik who had given him a wonderfully made ‘Seher’ a few years back.
I guess all wasn’t quite well between you and director Kabir Kaushik. Is that true?
Well, let me put it this way that if you have a brain and a point of view then you will have an opinion. Both Kabir and I had opinions and when we spoke, it was a debate more than a conflict. Now this is something that I would always encourage. In fact when I direct a film, I would always like my actors to question me; this is what leads to a healthy environment. I have always believed in doing it and whenever I am doing a scene, if I feel it can be bettered, I always share my suggestion with my director. I would have done that in most of the movies.
And how have the directors reacted?
It’s quite simple actually because decisions like these have to be totally taken by the director. If he thinks my suggestion makes sense then well, it’s all cool. All I want is that I must be totally involved in a film and must help out as much as possible. This is what happened during the making of ‘Hum Tum Aur Ghost’ and it was a lot more this time around since I had written the film. Due to that, I understand the film really well because I have conceived it; I have seen the scenes unfolding in front of my eyes.
Now that the film is ready for release, don’t you feel that the promotion could have been a little more aggressive and on-your-face?
But then that’s okay because by and large, the response has been quite good from the very first go. Chalo, koyi baat nahi, I guess whatever happens has to happen. I have done my best and made a film which is lavish and beautiful. I hope the strategy that Studio 18 has adopted works well.
-Rudhir Burman/ Sampurn Wire
