The new app, Waves OTT, developed by Prasar Bharati, has been making waves as it consists of not just classic content from Doordarshan but also original films and shows. Kya Masti Kya Dhoom was recently released on Waves and has managed to grab attention as it looks like a typical comic caper. It stars Abhishek Bajaj, Anant Vidhaat, Sanjay Mishra, Johny Lever and Vijay Raaz among others. Bollywood Hungama exclusively spoke to the legendary comic actor Johny Lever about this film and a lot more.
Kya Masti Kya Dhoom is all set to release on Waves OTT, which is a part of Prasar Bharati. How do you feel about it? It’s a great thing. Now, many producers would be able to release their films on this platform. Also, many viewers will get to experience a new platform and enjoy many more films in the comfort of their homes.
At this stage in life, what makes you sign a film? Every filmmaker attempts to give his best. Har director chahta hai ki ‘iss film se main dhamaka kar du’ aur ‘fataka fod du’. The producer puts in money hoping that they are able to entice viewers in such a way that it aligns with their vision. Even we, as actors, try to ensure that we can make the film better with our performances. In Kya Masti Kya Dhoom, I am joined by Vijay Raaz and Sanjay Mishra. Hum teeno ne kaafi dhamaal kiya hai iss film mein. We hope that by God’s grace, we get the love from the audience.
Kya Masti Kya Dhoom reminds of the lovely era of comedy films that rocked the industry in the 2000s. The trailer gave a feeling that it’s the return of that golden comic era… I hope that era returns. Sholay (1975) ke baad bahut saari daaku aur ghode ki filmein aa gayi. There used to be shortages of horses in the country! Fir gadhon ko khada karna pada tha. There used to be donkeys running behind horses due to the lack of latter. Filmmakers used to be like ‘Kahan kisi ko pata chalega long shot mein?’. Then, there was a time for art films and then we had the comedy era. Aaj kal technical filmein zyada chal rahi hai. There were probably so many comic capers that the audience felt like kuch aur dekhte hai.
Comedies should come back, nevertheless. During my childhood, the films I used to see had comedy as an item. See Padosan (1968) or Sadhu Aur Shaitaan (1968) for example. The filmmakers used to work very hard. There were contributions even from the unit members. The cameraman would suggest, ‘Iss scene mein aisa kar do na’. That’s how scenes used to be shot. I have sat with Kishore da and Mehmood saab and they told me all this.
Watch the epic scene of Mehmood saab and Om Prakash ji in Pyar Kiye Jaa (1966). For that scene, they shot for the whole day but it didn’t come out as intended. They decided to shoot the next day. And the next day, they were able to crack it. Woh scene kamaal ka tha. The way Mehmood saab and Om Prakash ji has performed, no one can. People are missing such items.
Hrishi da (Hrishikesh Mukherjee) made Chupke Chupke (1975) and extracted top-level comedy from Dharmendra ji, Amitabh Bachchan and others. So, our filmmakers today should think along these lines. Instead, they are like ‘Hero sign ho gaya hai. Kuch commercial film bana lete hai. Karodo kama lenge’. Why don’t they think ‘Chalo logon ko hasa bhi dete hai’? You are earning crores through the action films; it’s great. But they should also invest some money in making comedies. Aapko dua milegi. But alas, they don’t want to. They feel like ‘Unke paas BMW hai. Uske bina main LBW hoon! Mujhe bhi BMW chahiye’. And hence, they keep adding action and dialogues. Lekin hasana nahin hai.
Hence, it saddens me. But I am also hopeful that the era will be back as it’s a cycle at the end of the day…
As per my observation, Neeraj Vora was the writer behind some of the most loved comedies like Hera Pheri (2000), Awaara Paagal Deewana (2002), Hungama (2003), Hulchul (2004), Garam Masala (2005), Deewane Huye Paagal (2005), Phir Hera Pheri (2006), Chup Chup Ke (2006), Golmaal (2006), Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), etc. After he died, the level of comedy films came down… You are totally right. Imagine how much he must have worked hard. Tab jaa ke itna maza aaya and that’s the reason, you remember him even today. He was my friend and baap re, woh aadmi laga rehta tha. After a shot was done, he would give me alternate suggestions, ‘Johny bhai, aap aisa karo’. I used to bounce off suggestions to him as well. No wonder that even today, people remember my work in films like Awara Paagal Deewana.
Which recent comedy film have you liked it? I don’t think there has been any good comedy film of late. If that wasn’t the case, I would have known about (a good comedy film) and would have seen it in cinemas. As I said, filmmakers are not investing in comedy. They are rather investing in action and making it grand. The hero attacks and everything gets destroyed. Building bhi gir jaati hai. If the heroes are so powerful, then they should be sent to Ukraine or Israel to fight wars!
Also Read: Johny Lever reveals Shah Rukh Khan was weak in action and dancing; he worked hard to become a superstar: “He is now a pro”
from Featured Movie News | Featured Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama https://ift.tt/GFUJ9At
0 Comments