An interview with Priyanshu Chatterjee 

By IndiaFM News Bureau, March 20, 2004 - 01:37 IST

Tell us about your character in the film WOH?
My character's name is Shekhar Malhotra. He is from Goa. He has started from Goa in search of work. He is MSC in Mathematics. He is very straightforward thinking guy. After studying so much, he is not ambitious at all. His aim is just to get some work from which he can earn his living for the day. As a sign of remembrance of his father, he has one black Mahindra Jeep, whose petrol tank should be full so that he can live his day. And then some incidents take place, which stop him from being a good person.

How will you describe the film WOH?
According to me it's a thriller. There are so many incidents that you won't realize when the film starts and when it ends. There are 5 songs in the movie, which helps the story to move ahead plus entertain us. This film has also got action and romance. It's such a package that it's value for your money.

How was your experience working with a senior director and a newcomer artist?
It was a very satisfying experience because Raj ji is a stylish Director. In camera positioning and shot taking, he imparts his personal touch. You will realize this if you have watched Satte Pe Satta and Inkaar. The film has never blocked in between. Moreover, he has achieved mastery in thriller. I haven't watched the movie yet. I have just seen the portions for which I have dubbed. And according to me he has made a good movie. .

What's the USP of the film?
The USP of the film is its story. As the story progresses, the incidents and the characters get stuck in different situations and you cannot point out who is guilty.

How do you judge the title WOH with the film?
Initially the title was “Shatranj”. Then once, when Romuji -the producer, Raj Sippy - the director and our cameraman were sitting together, one suggested “Agar Shatranj Nahi To Kya?” Romuji suddenly said I have a title “WOH”. And we thought why not. We all thought it's a better title than Shatranj, because it does not reveal anything. Shatranj reveals that it's like a mind game. But WOH is a very clean title where you get a feeling of thriller.

Recently your movie Pinjar released where your character was highly appreciated. What expectations you have from this movie?
According to me, Shekhar Malhotra of WOH is totally different from the Trilok of Pinjar. Trilok was a very complicated character but here Shekhar is has very linear thinking. For him 2 + 2 is 4 and it will remain the same. He can think only that much.

Tell us something about the music of the film?
The music runs with the story of the film. The film has 5 songs. The first song is my introduction song. In that song, I complain to God that you have helped everyone except me. It's a real life situation. Then the second song is when his wish comes true and then he again sees towards God and says, “Maula tune jugar fit kar diya, aaj mamla mera hit kardiya”. He is a lonely character so he keeps talking to God. Then the third song is a Bar situation track. Then there is a very good song in the movie. If I have to compare with the Raj ji's previous movies it's got the flavor of “Mungda”. And after that, our principal negative character of the movie has one main song in the movie. Finally we have a romantic song on hero and heroine. In that, they are expressing their feelings for each other.

In the past two to three yrs many thrillers came of which most flopped. What did you like in this thriller - story, shots, statements etc?
At very first, when Rajji gave me the script of the movie, he came to my home and narrated the story. The very first thing came into my mind was only Rajji could direct this movie. Secondly, I never felt this movie is a copy of any Hollywood movie. I felt an originality and freshness in the theme of this movie, which belongs to our country and which is ours. And which can happen only in India. I know even you are going to feel the same. It's not a remake of any foreign film. The very big reason for doing this film was this thing.

What does “WOH” mean to you?
WOH means God to me because he does all this. And in this movie there are many characters, which come into my character's life and give a new meaning to my life. So WOH means a lot to me, because I have invested my time and energy in this film.

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