"Hastey Hastey is 2 hrs 7 minutes of non stop entertainment" - Shivaram Kumar 
By Nikhil Ramsubramaniam, May 27, 2008 - 14:03 IST
Very few people have managed the unique feat of producing, acting and singing in their first film. Shivaram Kumar is one of them. Kumar's first film as a producer, Hastey Hastey, starring Jimmy Sheirgill, Rajpal Yadav along with two debutant actresses is set to release this Friday and this New Jersey based businessman is all excited about his first step in Bollywood. Bollywood Hungama got in touch with the man who indeed believes in the tagline of his film- 'Follow your Heart'. Here's presenting Shivaram Kumar as he talks about his film Hastey Hastey.
Your first film as a producer Hastey Hastey is all set for release this week. How does it feel?
My partner Ashutosh Bajpay and I are excited about this dream come true. There is a lot of excitement in India and abroad about this film. The Music CDs are sold out worldwide and wholesalers and retailers are scrambling to get more CDs. Advance booking has started, theaters are receiving phone calls. INOX is releasing the movie, and in the USA, GO CAM FILMS is partnering with INOX for the release. There are butterflies in my tummy, but they are flying in formation!
From being a top notch computer consultant in the US to a successful entrepreneur to a Bollywood film producer? What made you take the plunge into film production?
We call it the 'Khujli'. I took the plunge now, but the 'Khujli' has always been there- to produce, sing, do a little acting, since the time I was a child. In college (REC Trichy) I spent more time on stage singing and acting than off stage, studying! Two years ago, in the USA, I was part of the team that won Anu Kapoor's NRI Antakshari show in New Jersey. I was waiting for the right time. Ashutosh is my link to Bollywood. His last production was Hote Hote Pyar Ho Gaya (Jackie Shroff and Kajol). Also it should be noted that I have a successful network marketing business (Amway) which by its nature encourages people to pursue their dreams by working hard- essentially to follow their hearts.
In college, I spent more time on stage singing and acting than off stage, studying!
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Coming to Hastey Hastey, the film seems like a comic love story….Is it true?
If you look at the tagline, it says 'follow your heart'. So the theme is that one should follow their heart, with a smile on their face. Which automatically suggests that this is not a slapstick comedy (a smile has more significance during 'down' time). While you follow your heart, there will be ups and downs. You face them with a smile. So the movie has comedy, emotions, and elements of deceit, adventure and romance.
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The theme of the film is that one should follow one's heart, with a smile on their face.
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The film has Jimmy Shergill as the main lead. Jimmy's last few films haven't really worked at the box-office? Does it bother you?
The nature of the industry is such. Everyone will have ups and downs. Also, as we have seen recently, big stars do not necessarily equate huge success at the box office. Jimmy suited the role, and he has a fresh look- he is playing a light hearted role after a long time. His synergy with Rajpal Yadav in Hastey Hastey is incredible. The chemistry of the whole team is just awesome. Everyone who has seen the trial shows have nothing but great things to say about Jimmy and the others.
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Jimmy's synergy with Rajpal Yadav in Hastey Hastey is incredible.
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The film has two new actresses making their debut- Nisha Rawal and Monishka…Could you tell us a little bit on how you zeroed in on them?
Toony, our director, Ashutosh Bajpay and I were involved in the selection process. We interviewed a lot of girls for these two roles. Finally, we saw a series of videos (ad films and music videos) by Nisha and were immediately impressed. Toony brought Monishka in through the same process. We believe that the audience is going to love them both.
One of the highlights of the film is the triple role done by Rajpal Yadav. Could you throw some light on that?
Rajpal Yadav is a pleasure to work with. We broke the stereotype of Rajpal in this film. The youngest Rajpal is a 'Casanova' type personality, and a 'Jigri dost' of Jimmy's character. The next Rajpal is the first one's uncle, hot headed and a little crazy. The last one plays young Rajpal's father (uncle's brother). Rajpal is hilarious, and we even have a very interesting element of how the internet can create some funny situations.
The film's music has been composed by Anu Malik. How do you think the music has evolved?
The title song made it to the 'Top 10' in the B4U countdown last week. Many other songs have made it to the top charts. The music CDs are in great demand. T-Series is doing a good job of replenishing stock, but stores worldwide are still in a sold out situation. My favorites are 'Bheegi Bheegi' by Kunal Ganjawala and 'Almadat' by Zubin.
My father passed away soon after the shooting finished, but I remember the time last year when I gave him the 'Kachcha' CD after the recording. He held it close to his chest and told me that the music will be a success. And it is.
You are one of the few producers who is also acting and has even sung the title song in his very first film. Tell us something about that? How was the experience and what character do you play?
Singing and acting have always been a passion. As mentioned earlier in college I spent more time on stage singing and acting than off stage, studying.
In the USA I have a team that has performed many times in the past, called 'Many Moods'. When Tony and I met Anu Malik, I told him that he must audition me, and if he felt I wasn't ready to do playback singing, I was not going to sing. Anuji decided that the title song 'Hastey Hastey Follow Your Heart' would be appropriate, and I enjoyed singing the song with Sunidhi Chauhan. This is my first time, and I always feel I could have done better, but I think the song is doing well. I personally enjoyed singing, and I really felt it in my heart while singing the slow version. We all had an emotional moment in the studio (Anuji, Toony, my mother and I).
In the movie, I play myself. In real life, my wife and I own a successful network marketing business (Amway). I also do corporate training in emerging markets. We help people build their self esteem and teach them success habits (BWW). I mentor many Independent Business Owners worldwide, and speak to large audiences (up to 25,000 people) on a regular basis. So this was an easy role for me to play. Neel's character (Jimmy) is inspired by Kumar to venture into unfamiliar territory, and derives courage from Kumar's words to get through the tough times.
So do you intend to pursue singing or continue acting actively after this?
I am reminded of the line from Godfather (I think): “Make me an offer I cannot refuse” (laughs). Actually; we'll just see how it goes!
How has been the experience working with director Toony?
Toony went the extra mile for us. He went above and beyond his role as a director. What one needs is a reliable director. Along with my father in law Mahinder Khanna, and Uncle Ramesh Jhamb, Toony helps run our office in Mumbai. Toony also brought in a great team of technicians and creative heads- like Damodar Naidu who has done brilliant camera work, Pony Verma who is the choreographer, Subarna for the costumes, Sanjay Sankhla for editing, and Anoop Mishra, sound engineer. He also brought in the writers like Rohit Batra, Bholu Khan, Gabbu & Ritesh. Tony prepares well, and executes briskly- very few re-takes.
The locations of the film are indeed breathtaking. How much of the film is shot in US?
95% of the movie is shot in the USA. The script demanded it. Yes, the look and feel of the film is nothing less than breathtaking, thanks to Toony, Damodar Naidu and our entire crew. It is becoming evident that Bollywood has not seen America shot in this splendor. Many people who have seen the film have said that they have not seen New York this wonderfully picturized even in Hollywood films. We left no stone unturned.
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Many people who have seen the film have said that they have not seen New York this wonderfully picturized even in Hollywood films.
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Any memorable experiences during the shoot?
We finished our USA shooting in 45 days and then we had a couple of days left in India. By all standards, we were better than average in execution, but we had some situations that seem funny now, but weren't that funny at that time. We lost a video camera that was being used for the making of the film- someone dropped it on the mountains of Minnewaska State park while shooting 'Bheegi Bheegi'. In Atlantic City, some dancers did not show up, so we had people contacting local 'clubs' for dancers. We realized that not all 'clubs' in Atlantic City are the kind of “clubs” we want to be seen in! The opening shot of 'Bheegi Bheegi' got delayed because of rains, and Jimmy was drenched already for the shot. After the actors dried up, the sun came out and Tony decided to continue shooting, and everyone had to get wet all over again!
Renting the open Double Decker bus in Manhattan for 'It's our World' song was a lot of fun. The elaborate preparations for 'Hum Hain' on a boat and 'New Age Mantra' at a posh Manhattan club were all great experiences.
The film is being released along with the IPL matches. Considering the craze for cricket in India…aren't you wary of the opening getting affected?
Theaters are already seeing big requests for advance booking of the tickets. Also IPL is winding down as we release. The quality of the movie speaks for itself. God is great!
Lastly, Hastey Hastey is your company Go Cam films' first production with Ashutosh Bajpay and yourself. What are your future projects?
We have three projects in the offing. They are named Three Will Set You Free, Pakdo Pakdo and Road To Vegas.
Before signing off why do you think viewers should go and watch Hastey Hastey. What is the USP of the film?
Hastey Hastey is two hours 7 minutes of non stop entertainment. The story and screenplay will keep people on the edge of their seats. During our trial shows, we had a diverse audience, some of them were family and friends, most of them were not. Every single one of them commented that they could not even think of leaving their seats. The story is quick, with a rapid fire execution. Audience must go to the theaters and experience this film- in order to get the complete benefit of the visual treat and incredible music. The romance is enhanced by the music and the locations, the comedy is enhanced by elements of globalization, the twist in the story is enhanced by great direction and excellent editing, and the music by Anu Malik is enhanced by Sameer's lyrics, and Pony's choreography. The opinion of those who have seen the film or any part of the film is unanimous- great story, light hearted movie, high energy, very youthful, funny, superb music and USA shot like never before..
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Hastey Hastey postponed to May 30
