"We are used to seeing the police as a loser in most of the films" - Neeraj Pandey 
By Bollywood Hungama News Network, September 5, 2008 - 15:09 IST
He is a man who has become the cynosure of all the eyes. And he has every reason to be so. He has the rare privilege of directing two of Bollywood's giants,
Anupam Kher and Naseerudin Shah, and that too in his debut film itself! He is none other than Neeraj Pandey, the name that's playing on everyone's lips
alike! And it's his film A Wednesday which is one of the promising releases of this week.
Bollywood Hungama caught up with Neeraj for an exclusive interview. Presented are some excerpts from the same.
Neeraj, to start with, what made you choose an unusual subject for your debut film A Wednesday. Didn't you ever feel that you were taking a risk?
Well, I think everything is risky for a first timer. Apart from that, I believe that one should always do what he or she thinks is right and what excites
them. When I chose this story to make my film, I didn't calculate any risk factor because the subject simply excited me a lot. And in fact, I know lots of
people who have been victims of the bomb blasts. All this and more prompted me to take up the subject. My film is primarily about whatever is happening
around nowadays.
When I chose this story to make my film, I didn't calculate any risk factor because the subject simply
excited me a lot.
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Tell us something about the storyline of A Wednesday.
The film basically deals with the case that had happened on one particular Wednesday between 2pm to 6pm. And the same is Mr. Anupam Kher's character (who
happens to be the Police Commissioner of Mumbai) reflecting on, which was the most interesting case of his life, which is not, recorded anywhere. The film is
a complete work of fiction.
How was it to direct two legends like Naseerudin Shah and Anupam Kher in your debut film itself? Also was it tough convincing them?
Actually speaking, it was not all difficult. Initially, I had sent them the scripts and they were kind enough to respond to it. The reason why I cast them
both is because they are extremely talented actors and they fitted the bill perfectly.
Even though you have managed a coup of sorts by casting the two giants, they come face to face only in the end and that too for very little time. Why so?
Well, obviously it was very tempting to get both of them together. Having said that let me also add that the demand of the script was the reason for them to
come face to face in the end.
With umpteen films being made on terrorism, how different is A Wednesday from them?
I haven't seen any of the recent films… All I can say is that A Wednesday is a very unusual film and I just hope that people love watching it as much
as I loved directing it.
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The reason why I cast Anupam Kher and Naseerudin Shah was because they are extremely talented actors and
they fitted the bill perfectly.
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What kind of music have you used for the film? And what was the brief given to Rakesh Ranjan?
A Wednesday is a songless film. But the background music of the film is done by Sanjoy Chowdhary. I got him to watch the entire film first and then
score the background. And since Sanjoy is someone with whom I worked before, I had full faith in him. And I am really happy that he did.
What was the most difficult scene to shoot in the film?
The most difficult scene would be the climax sequence.
Can you share with us the locations where you have shot the film?
We have shot in and around Mumbai, from the town side to the suburbs. The best part was that it was shot all in daytime!
In your film, the police force has been shown in a good light. However, most of the times, police is shown helpless in the case of terrorism in Bollywood
films. Was that a deliberate attempt?
No, there was nothing deliberate in showing the police in the good light as we are used to seeing the police as a loser in most of the films. The fact is
that it's not always the case as what one sees is not always the truth...
Have you tried to give any social message through your film?
Though it was not a deliberate attempt in that regards, but the basic motive was to make an entertaining film. And at the end of the day, I am really happy
to see my film to have has shaped as a very entertaining and a cathartic film. And I am not preaching anything through my film, so to speak.
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We are used to see the police as a loser in most of the films
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According to you, why should the audience watch?
I think it has two great actors and also great story.
What other projects are you planning to do further? Direction and writing?
I'm writing a script which will be again produced by my film company 'Friday Film Work'.
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Naseeruddin Shah ready for Wednesday
