I am directing for emotional reasons: Ajay Devgan


Ready to call shots: Ajay Devgan on the sets of Halla Bol

On Monday, Ajay Devgan quietly launched his directorial film with TV actor Sumeet Raghavan at Manoranjan Studio in Andheri.

Although he’s reluctant to reveal too many details about his directorial debut — “too early to talk” — we managed to pin him down for a chat. Read on…

Why a Hinglish title?
It’s called U, Me Aur Hum but it’s a tentative title and might change.

Why did you take up direction?
When I feel like doing something, I go ahead with it. I have always followed my heart and my heart says I need to direct now. I had a thought in mind. I wanted to direct that particular thought. It’s a love story but not your run-of-the-mill emotional love saga. The romantic angle has more depth.

Is it based on The Notebook?
Not at all. It’s a completely original script written by Robin Bhatt, Sutanu Gupta and Akarsh Khurana.

How will you balance direction and acting?
I have taken three months off from acting to direct my film. I have finished shooting for Raj Kumar Santoshi’s Halla Bol and Ram Gopal Varma’s Sholay. Now, some patchwork needs to be done which I will complete as and when they require me.

Once shooting of U, Me Aur Hum is over, we will begin post-production after that and plan to release the film in January 2008.

You didn’t invite your friends and collegaues for your mahurat?
It was hardly a proper mahurat. Only the unit was present. We’d constructed a small set. We just took shots with Sumeet (Raghavan) as it was an auspicious day.

Sumeet is a very good actor whom we discovered on TV. I don’t think having a mahurat is a very big thing to do. I would love them to wish me well after I finish shooting the film.

Are you nervous about turning director?
Not at all. If I were nervous, I wouldn’t direct. I have always done whatever I felt was right. There is no confusion in my mind.

You are shooting the film on a cruise liner?
Yes, but not the entire film. It’s a cruise liner between Mumbai and Lakshwadeep. We start on May 4 for a 20-day schedule.

Have you finalised the cast?
Besides Kajol and me, there is Sumeet Raghavan, Isha Sharvani, Karan Khanna and another actress whom we are in the process of finalising.

Why Kajol? Because she is your wife?
No. I cast Kajol because she’s the only person who can justify the role. In the future too if I direct again I will cast an actress who suits the role.

Does that mean you will direct again?
I don’t know. I think from my heart. I am directing for emotional reasons not because it’s a financially viable business proposition. If I have an interesting idea again, I might.

Did you find the Salsa lessons tough?
We were just rehearsing for particular steps of a song. I believe that nothing in life is difficult if your put your mind to it.

Confidence is the key to everything. If you are not confident about something, don’t do it.

Related posts:

1. Ajay the director is a tough taskmaster!
2. Rumor has it…
3. And we thought Ajay Devgan isn’t romantic…
4. Ajay Devgan pulls a ’shocking’ prank
5. Movie Review: U ME AUR HUM by FENIL SETA