''TZP is a good film but way too hyped'' - Shashi Ranjan 
By Bollywood Hungama News Network, May 29, 2008 - 15:39 IST
He is one of the few Directors who have made a successful transition from the TV medium to films. Not the one to mince his words, he is known as someone who can speak his mind. He can be aptly called as the 'master of all trades' as he has not just faced the camera as an actor, and but also has ventured into producing and directing Bollywood blockbusters. We are indeed talking about Shashi Ranjan, the name that immediately brings to mind the recently released Dhoom Dhadakka, a film that had the audiences in split, right from the word Go..
Well, Bollywood Hungama was with Shashi Ranjan for an exclusive chat, whereby the chatters had a heart-to-art talk with the man himself. If you are one of those who missed, then, do not fret, as we bring to you the excerpts of the same.
Kuttabilli: Hi Shashi, what kind of promotion are you doing for Dhoom Dadakka?
Shashi Ranjan: well I am looking at 360 degrees promotion. We are on radio, TV, print media and of course now on internet.
Kuttabilli: what is the film all about?
Shashi Ranjan: Dhoom Dadakka is an out and out comedy about a don played by Anupam kher, who is looking out to stay in the mafia syndicate...Since he is not married, he is depending on his sisters son Kamal, whom he has never seen. So, he hires a detective to find out his heir Kamal...and one girl and two guys land up in his house posing as Kamal without realizing that the man in question happens to be a big DON
Kuttabilli: so, when is the film releasing?
Shashi Ranjan: May 23rd is the release date
Kuttabilli: tell us about your other projects?
Shashi Ranjan: well I am planning another film, which is a relationship based story, tentative title is Tadap... casting is yet to start for the same.
Kuttabilli: tell us about your other projects?
Shashi Ranjan: well I am planning another film, which is a relationship based story,...tentative title is Tadap...casting is yet to start for the same
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Nanda: hey shashi, I loved u as an actor in Saheb..i loved the film as well?
Shashi Ranjan: you must be really ancient nanda...that was a long time back...however I am still not too bad.
Kuttabilli: how different is this story from stories like father wants son to become next don and stuff?
Shashi Ranjan: in terms of treatment its absolutely different because everything is looked at it in a comic and funny way.
Nanda: why did u quit acting?
Shashi Ranjan: I wasn’t getting the kind of roles, which I wanted to do at that time so I was feeling a bit letdown...Hence I decided to pursue my talent in various other aspects of cinema.
Nanda: what were u doing all this while after Siyasat as a producer?
Shashi Ranjan: aditi there are lot of things...friends...movies...sports etc
Aditi: does it become difficult to juggle between Bollywood n TV industry?
Shashi Ranjan: I did lot of things in TV....I have produced and directed nearly 1000 hours of TV programming like The Shotgun Show, Making of a Legend, a show with Javed Akhtar, Mahesh Bhatt.....I have also been busy with Indian Television Academy.
Aditi: ya ITA awards is a very big thing for TV stars. Whose concept was it?
Shashi Ranjan: it was my wife Anu's concept, aditi.
Nanda: what makes u cry?
Shashi Ranjan: Emotions.
Nanda: what is more fascinating Acting or Direction?
Shashi Ranjan: I think Direction in any day much more satisfying than Acting
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Nanda: what is more fascinating Acting or Direction?
Shashi Ranjan: I think Direction in any day much more satisfying than Acting
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Aditi: she seems to be a very strong woman, do your creative ideas clash. And also what was her contribution in DD?
Shashi Ranjan: Yes aditi, she is a very strong person, she is a great Marketing person and looked in to the mktg and promotions for Dhoom Dadakka
Kuttabilli: so, when your not filming what u doing?
Shashi Ranjan: Producing
Nanda: which is fav hangout in Mumbai?
Shashi Ranjan: nanda once upon a time it used to be Holiday Inn...now don’t really have the time to hang out
Anubhav: who is your inspiration?
Shashi Ranjan: my inspirations keep changing but a large part of my life is influenced by my father
Anubhav: who is your fav actor in Bollywood?
Shashi Ranjan: Anubhav I can’t pick one actor--- there are many Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Hassan, Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan.
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Anubhav: who is your fav actor in Bollywood?
Shashi Ranjan: Anubhav I can’t pick one actor--- there are many Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Hassan, Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan.
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Kuttabilli: are you from Mumbai?
Shashi Ranjan: no, I’m from Haryana, a very small town called Bhiwani...after that I went to Pune FTII to do my diploma in acting...landed in Bombay in 1979.
Kuttabilli: have u tried your hand at anything other than direction?
Shashi Ranjan: lots of things I have a magazine, a Television company, I love reading and even playing squash
Kuttabilli: what do u think of comedy today?
Shashi Ranjan: comedy as a genre is doing well ...the younger generation prefers seeing light-hearted and peppy films rather than serious cinema.
Nanda: what’s your take on casting couch?
Shashi Ranjan: nanda.....I haven’t been lucky as yet
Aditi: I wish u all the very best for DD, and your other forthcoming films?
Shashi Ranjan: thank you so much aditi...i need all your wishes.
Kuttabilli: what kind of comedy in DD- slapstick, raunchy, cheesy, sarcastic, or sex related?
Shashi Ranjan: DD is none of these...it is not slapstick ...it is situational and funny because of its performances and dialogues.
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Kuttabilli: what kind of comedy in DD- slapstick, raunchy, cheesy, sarcastic, or sex related?
Shashi Ranjan: DD is none of these...it is not slapstick ...it is situational and funny because of its performances and dialogues.
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Anubhav: will u give chance to new comers in Bollywood? I’m a struggling actor.
Shashi Ranjan: I have always given newcomers a chance...even in DD there are many newcomers.
Kuttabilli: what books do you read?
Shashi Ranjan: I read fiction, philosophy...sometimes I read autobiographies they fascinate me.
Kuttabilli: u like Indian writers or others?
Shashi Ranjan: I am enjoying Dev Saab's book at the moment
Anubhav: sir, so will u give me a chance? I have been doing acting in serials like Ramayana, Maa Durga.
Shashi Ranjan: work hard anubhav and you got to be the best because there are plenty of talented people floating around here
Whatever: any interest in art cinema?
Shashi Ranjan: yes I have been brought up in art cinema since I am from FTII...loved Ritwik Ghatak's work
Anubhav: what kind of film story do u like the most??
Shashi Ranjan: I basically like films, which are intense in emotions.
Nanda: exchange some memorable moments during the shoot of DD?
Shashi Ranjan : nanda....during the shoot we were a unit of 60-70 people staying in the same hotel in Bangkok.....and our drive to shooting used to be an hour daily and all of us used to sit together and sing Hindi film songs.....it was great fun.....didn’t seem like shooting
Whatever: how did you become a director in Bollywood? it must be hard....and to find a producer for your films..?
Shashi Ranjan: I had to produce my own films...couldn’t find anybody to produce for me.
Anubhav: I have also written one script. I genuinely want to do something in films either acting or scriptwriting
Shashi Ranjan: you have to make up your mind...acting or script-writing...they are 2 different things.
Whatever: would u also like to work with big names of Bollywood. .I would like to work with SRK... he is my fav.actor.
Shashi Ranjan: I would love to work with Shah Rukh too if he will to work with me
Nanda: tell me about your strengths and weaknesses?
Shashi Ranjan: my strength would be my, self confidence....I came from a small city not knowing many people in Mumbai....and my weakness is my family.... My family is my strength as well.
Ishika: What do you think of Akshaye Khanna as an actor?
Shashi Ranjan: I quite like Akshaye.....i like his acting grammar which is absolutely different from most actors.
Kuttabilli: have u seen any movies of lately in English -Hindi?
Shashi Ranjan: yes I keep watching lot of English films.
Kuttabilli: how was it working with Shaad Randhawa?
Shashi Ranjan: Shaad was a revelation...when I took him I though he probably may be able to do comedy but when I started shooting he turned to be a very good.
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Kuttabilli: how was it working with Shaad Randhawa?
Shashi Ranjan: Shaad was a revelation...when I took him I though he probably may be able to do comedy but when I started shooting he turned to be a very good.
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Ishika: Have you seen Akshaye Khanna's performance in Gandhi My Father? What is your opinion about his performance? And I would like to do a film with him?
Shashi Ranjan: he is always competent, ishika
Whatever: what’s your take on Rakhi Sawant's performance in the film and generally. And does she throw tantrums?
Shashi Ranjan: Rakhi isn’t in my film but I have done shows with her. And she hasn’t thrown any tantrums with me at least.
Kuttabilli: what are your expectations with DD?
Shashi Ranjan: I hope and pray to GOD that Dhoom Dadakka is a big hit
Sikander: how was it working with Satish Shah? Was he a prankster on sets?
Shashi Ranjan: sikander...we were all pranksters pulling each others leg all the time
Asiy: Anupam kher is a fabulous actor. Nobody in the industry can match his acting
Shashi Ranjan: asiy in three words G-R-8
Sikander: what’s your take on Ranbir n Sonam Kapoor?
Shashi Ranjan: I liked both Ranbir and Sonam in the film
Sikander: Do u have a filmy background?
Shashi Ranjan: not at all sikander...i come from a family of educationists
Ishika: what Mungilal Rocks is all about?
Shashi Ranjan: well actually Mungilal Rocks is the same film Dhoom Dadakka...the title is different.
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Ishika: what Mungilal Rocks is all about?
Shashi Ranjan: well actually Mungilal Rocks is the same film Dhoom Dadakka...the title is different.
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Ishika: Don't you think that Akshaye Khanna is being under-rated, under-stated and under-utilized?
Shashi Ranjan: I don’t think Akshaye is underrated...people have realized his potential and he has performed well
Whatever: so how was Rakhi on that show?
Shashi Ranjan: Rakhi was herself...outspoken, brash and funny
Ishika: what’s your take on remakes?
Shashi Ranjan: well I generally don’t like blatant copies but no harm in getting inspired by a film.
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Ishika: what’s your take on remakes?
Shashi Ranjan: well I generally don’t like blatant copies but no harm in getting inspired by a film.
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srk19: hi shashi! How are you? I just wanted to ask what are your thoughts on the IPL? What are your thoughts on Bollywood meeting cricket?
Shashi Ranjan: I think IPL is a great concept, which is working well....
Kiran: what’s your take on TZP?
Shashi Ranjan: TZP is a good film but way too hyped
Kiran: what are those 5 important things u cannot live without?
Shashi Ranjan: Food, Water, Air, Clothes and Love
srk19: what’s your take on King khan in other words Baadshah of Bollywood?
Shashi Ranjan: I agree with u...he is the Baadshah of Bollywood
srk19: tell me about your most embarrassing moment?
Shashi Ranjan: yet to come, srk19
BWJ: as you are from Haryana, what do you think of Punjabi films nowadays?
Shashi Ranjan: I think Punjabi films should be encouraged...they have tremendous sense of humor…I have done two Punjabi films as a hero.
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BWJ: as you are from Haryana, what do you think of Punjabi films nowadays?
Shashi Ranjan: I think Punjabi films should be encouraged...they have tremendous sense of humor..I have done two Punjabi films as a hero.
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srk19: what would u have been if not an actor or director?
Shashi Ranjan: I think a Tennis player
srk19: I am a big fan of SRK but biggest of Aamir..Would like u to work with both...plzzzzzz!!!!
Shashi Ranjan: yes pls tell them to work with me.
Janiya: define urself in 3 words?
Shashi Ranjan: Tall, Fair and Handsome
Neha: what do you never leave home without?.
Shashi Ranjan: my gym bag.
Neha: who is your favorite actress and y?
Shashi Ranjan: I have so many fav actresses...but I think Madhuri would be right at the top...she is fabulous
Shashi Ranjan : it was great chatting with you all...please go and watch Dhoom Dadakka in theatres....you surely gonna enjoy it.
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