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"TRRP has around 20% action. The film isn't just about stunts" - Siddharth Anand 
By Joginder Tuteja, April 26, 2007 - 09:47 IST
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Siddharth Anand is nervous. And he is having sleepless nights.
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Siddharth Anand is nervous. And he is having sleepless nights. On the eve of release of his second directorial venture 'Ta Ra Rum Pum', he shares his thoughts with IndiaFM on how he is conscious about seeing audience response to his film. Though he is confident about his product that spans genres and sure of having made a quality film, he would love to hear it from the world once the film arrives.
First and foremost, why a title like 'Ta Ra Rum Pum'?
The film spans genres. It has lot of action in it. Then there is this entire romantic side to it. The film's subject is such that it warrants drama and an undercurrent of emotions while you also can't take away the humor that retains itself throughout.
Now just because there are number of action sequences in the film featuring cars, I couldn't have possibly called the film 'Speed' or 'Race'. There is a strong spirit of a family being together and it made sense to have a fun title like 'Ta Ra Rum Pum' that carried a meaning and sanctity across genres.
While 'Salaam Namaste' was itself a happy movie, TRRP too seems to be carrying the entire feel good effect forward. So is there any surprise in store from Siddharth Anand this time around?
You would be actually surprised when you see TRRP. While 'Salaam Namaste' was more about an urban couple, here an additional care had to be taken since it involved an entire family with situations that were far more complex and in-depth. This is a film that is at another level altogether. It is more technically polished and you won't be able to say that the two films have been made by the same director.
When you say that the film has reached a new level, what exactly does it signify?
I mean to say that it is not yet another happy-go-lucky feel good love story that you are going to experience in TRRP. The film has an emotional side to it since it revolves around this father who is a car racer with a family that believes in him forever. There is a different side to the entire narration and setting too.
Even from sheer locations perspective, you would be seeing New York in a different light as never seen before in a Bollywood flick. The action sequences featuring car races are of the kind that would be a unique experience for a Bollywood fan. Believe me; they are at par with the best in Hollywood stunts.
With so much of action around, can you quantify how much of that forms a part of the film?
Around 20%. Action is there but the film isn't just about stunts. We first had the basic story written and later when some sports had to be chosen for Saif's character, the car race element came in.
Just like the reality show element which seems to be a surprise package?
Not really as a surprise package but yes even the reality show part came in later. It's not like due to advent of reality shows across channels, we decided to make a film based on that. It forms a very small part of the film and that's the reason why I am not highlighting it as a surprise package or anything.
Tell us honestly, was it the Yash Raj-family-of-actors factors that made you rope in Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukherjee for the key roles or did the characters chose the two actors?
I would be very honest here and tell you that the film was written keeping Saif in mind, no two ways about it. For the leading lady's part, Rani was finalized only once the script was bolted.
You are being diplomatic here.
[Laughs] Not at all. If that was the case, I wouldn't have just told you about Saif being the one kept in mind while drafting the script. I just said that Rani came in later, didn't I?
How come this entire affection for Saif?
There was this very strong bond that got created during 'Hum Tum' when I came in touch with him. Later with 'Salaam Namaste' it only grew further and this was the phase where I was very clear that I couldn't make a film without Saif. Hence the reason to lock him in mind while writing TRRP.
You had a similar experience with Javed Jaffrey too after 'Salaam Namaste'?
[Interrupts] Don't expect a lot from Javed here in TRRP. People are mistaken that he could as well be carrying his whacky performance from 'Salaam Namaste' to TRRP here; that is certainly not the case. In fact I have been the one who has been feeling guilty ever since he was last seen in 'Salaam Namaste'.
Of what I see, no one is interested in exploring his acting talent and are just pleased if he repeats the same act. Now that's just not fair. This is why when I wrote this part of Saif's Manager in the film, I thought of Javed and explained to him what I had in mind.
Did he agree instantaneously?
Initially he was taken aback as all this while filmmakers and audience have been having a different kind of expectation from him. But eventually he was game for playing the role.
One hears he has danced as well.
Oh, he is there for some time in the song 'Ab To Forever' since he happens to be on the scene. But that's about it.
Talking about songs and dances, it seems the music hasn't really caught on well.
You are right when you say that. Also, it's not that I am not aware about this. See, even when the film was being made, we knew that people won't be able to connect to the songs unless they see them along with the narrative. Mark my words, archive what I say or even call it out loudly - You would love the songs once you have seen an entire film. I am sure you would give me a call after watching the film and tell me how much you loved the songs.
You seem to be quite confident about the music.
Yes, I am. I have been told by those who have watched the film so far that they couldn't help playing on the CD in their car stereos on their way back to home. Come on, this is the kind of score that picks up after the film releases. Seriously, if the film is a big hit, a bigger credit would deserve go to the music!
Though the question may sound clichéd, are you more nervous about TRRP than 'Salaam Namaste'?
Actually that's true. I am a lot nervous about TRRP since expectations are huge. I remember having a good night sleep on the eve of release of 'Salaam Namaste'. But here I have been having sleepless days and nights at stretch!
Once you know that you have done everything possible to make a film that has a universal appeal, you are bound to get conscious about it and get nervous!
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Why the anxiety?
Because of so many reasons. The scale is much bigger. Producers have left no stones unturned in ensuring that we make a quality product. Canvas is huge. Audience is expecting so much and I cannot let them down. Performances are so good with the kids doing a marvelous job as well.
It's that entire experience, the whole hog thing. It makes you jittery because once you know that you have done everything possible to make a film that has a universal appeal, you are bound to get conscious about it and get nervous!
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Cinematographer Binod Pradhan's cameo in TRRP
