Dual roles

on it,he says that it was sent by a fan,and points at other artefacts and curios,all gifted by Bachchan fans. Junior Bachchan sips on an aerated drink and munches on namkeen as he fields questions.

What was your first reaction on hearing the good news that you have going to be a father?

Immense happiness and joy. It was wonderful to see the family so happy. Relatives,friends,fans and well-wishers have been calling. The house is filled with flowers. It’s a nice time and everyone is smiling.

Are you going to take paternity leave?

I am not taking any leave as such. I am shooting in Mumbai during this time,so as and when Aishwarya requires me,I will be around. I am going to be a hands-on father.

Have you already started dreaming about your child?

I don’t think it will sink in until I am holding our baby. Right now we haven’t even sat down to think about names. We are just enjoying the moment.

Coming to your other role as a producer,what is your contribution in terms of creative inputs?

I feel awkward because I am being given this whole mantle that AB Corp is my baby. We have an entire team that works together. If we hear a script and like it,we budget it. If we think the budget is worth it,then we make it.

Both your films were made with controlled budgets. How do you plan the budgets?

It is very simple. I made Paa in Rs 17 crore and after the first weekend,the film made a profit because of the tight budget. Today if I make Paa,I will make it in half the budget. I have made Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap in Rs 10.5 crore and the satellite rights were sold for Rs 13.5 crore,so I have already covered my production cost. Films don’t fail,the budgets do.

When we were releasing Paa,we had a very generous offer from another studio for about Rs 60-65 crore. I was tempted to take it up,but I knew that if we sold it for that amount,then there was no way we could give the film the opportunity to make money. Paa was not a Sholay as far as its subject was concerned. I would like to be in a position to make films where I can guarantee a sizable return to my exhibitors and distributors.

I am born and brought up in the film industry. I don’t want to be the producer who makes money only for himself. I want everybody associated with the movie to take money,especially my distributor and exhibitors.

You said that you could have made Paa in half the cost. What did you learn during the making?

Firstly,pre-production is the most important aspect. One shouldn’t go on the floors until one is absolutely ready even though there are time constraints. Secondly,each script has a budget. A script has a requirement and a producer should be able to identify that. Thirdly and the most important,you should have a director who has the same vision like you. If a director and producer do not have the same vision then things can go horribly wrong. The director has to have the last call so the producer has to have enough faith that he is going to steer the ship in the right direction.

Whose idea was it to have item songs in Bbuddah?

We didn’t have any item songs. They are promotional videos that are part of the marketing plan. We decided that before we started the project because we wanted to be aggressive in the positioning of the film. We knew it had to be in-your-face.

What about your dad attending promotional campaigns in his character’s clothes?

He is a good boy. He listens to the producer (laughs).

What kind of films do you want to make?

If you are talking about expense,then like I said,it all depends on the script. Currently we are developing two scripts that will go on the floor next year — Businessman with Puri Jagannadh and another film directed by a new director Amit Sharma that stars dad and me. Both are big-budget films because they require that kind of a budget.

What matters to you the most — recovering the cost,critical acclaim or both?

Recovering the cost is most important.

Players is an adaptation of The Italian Job. Have you watched the original?

Yes.

Have you attempted anything new in this movie?

Yes,I have done a lot of great stunts that I have never attempted before. Shooting on train tracks in Siberia,running on cars,the works.

Are you excited about Rohit Shetty’s Bol Bachan?

Very excited! It’s a hilarious film. The last time I laughed so much was during the narration of Dostana. It’s going to be a laugh-riot,the funniest film of the year. I am also excited about working with Ajay Devgn again. He is one of my favourite co-stars. And I have known Rohit since he started off as an assistant.

What about Rajkumar Santoshi’s Ladies And Gentlemen?

Rajji is very close to us. He was one of the first people whom we informed about Aishwarya’s pregnancy. He was ecstatic and told us to chill and enjoy. He said that he will make the film when we are ready. I thought that was very gracious and sweet.

So is the film on hold till Ash can do it?

Yes.

Will we see you on the small-screen again?

Right now,I am busy with my film projects so I haven’t been able to take up another season of Bingo,which I had hosted earlier. But I hope to be back on TV. It requires time,you have to dedicate a good six to eight months to it.

Are you geared more towards comedy now?

It wasn’t a conscious decision,but yes,I do want to have little more fun in my films now. For the last two years,I did very intense movies but I want to get out there,do the commercial stuff and go back to the cinema that I love.

Can you name some films that have influenced you in any way?

That’s one question I find difficult to answer. I watch one film a day but they are usually mine and I make notes on what I did wrong (giggles).

How long do you take to get over a failed film?

The wounds heal,but the scars remain.

geety.sahgal@expressindia.com