"Kal Kissney Dekha is a college flick and a suspense thriller" - Jacky Bhagnani 
By Devansh Patel, December 29, 2008 - 17:54 IST
Debutants bring in that extra bit of good vibe along with their film, don't they? The anxiety and the stress levels tell you a whole different story when you meet them. But things have changed since a decade I guess. Their confident smile says it all. Just pure natural talent. They're every inch the leading man and the leading lady these days, and far too charming to brag about their first ever nominations. Vivek Sharma, who directed Bhoothnath, invited us on the sets of his second offering Kal Kissney Dekha. It was Christmas day and what a way to celebrate one. All around you there are colourful lights, giant speakers, a stage made to look like a guitar, glitter and glamour galore with spot boys serving you tea and coffee every half an hour. There is Remo- the choreographer with his assistants trying to figure out the last minute song and dance routine. Vivek looks relaxed as ever before. Hundreds of junior artists are seen carrying props. The stage was finally set. The producer Vashu Bhagnani walks in smiling. His looks tell us that he is once again going to give a blockbuster film. And why not? And on his right was a young 20 plus something walking along with him in a red and black outfit. He too is all smiles. Vashu introduces us to this young talent. "Meet my son and debutant actor Jacky Bhagnani". Didn't we say they bring that extra bit of good vibe? He has the same youthful good looks, which today are partially covered with a little beard. Jacky remains un-phased by fame which has been gifted to him, since he was born, by his father and mentor Vashu Bhagnani. Sets, camera, lights, all this isn't new to this young protege. He has been there and done that but what he now needs to do is a quick interview with Harrow Observer, UK and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent Devansh Patel. He orders for chairs on the sets. We sit and get talking of the entire buzz that's surrounding his debut film Kal Kissney Dekha.
How are you feeling that your father, India's top producer, Vashu Bhagnani, is launching you in a Vivek Sharma directed film?
I'm feeling really good and I am honoured. Vivek having worked with the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Juhi Chawla says it all. I am no one in front of these biggies. Not to forget, I have country's number one producer backing me (laughs) who is emotionally attached to me because I am his son. So everybody is putting in that extra bit of effort. I couldn't ask for anything more.
My father used to always take me along to shoots. I used to bunk school and go on the sets
|
Take us back about your first ever experience on a movie set with your father.
My father used to always take me along to shoots. I used to bunk school and go on the sets. I can remember I went on the sets of Coolie No 1, Hero No 1, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya, Biwi No 1, Tera Jaadu Chal Gaya. I used to be good in geography in school because I was a traveler...on the sets (laughs).
Was this a planned move on Vashu's part that you had to be launched in this manner? In a Vivek Sharma film opposite Manmohan Desai's grand daughter?
No not at all. I was training to be an actor and at the same time was assisting my dad in production. So I kind of had an idea of what's going to come in a few years. My dad is very strict as far as my acting is concerned. He waited for four years to finally come to a conclusion that I had to be launched in 2009. So if people think that I have got it the easy way, they're wrong. People who come from star families and who have their godfathers backing, have to work that much harder to prove a point. I am doing exactly that.
I'm sure Kal Kissney Dekha is a college drama.
You're right. It is a college flick with a little bit of a twist. It is a suspense thriller without murder mystery. It has a sweet suspense.
We hear that SRK and Abhishek Bachchan are going to do a cameo in your debut film. Star power huh?
Of course, we are trying to rope in Shah Rukh and Abhishek. We've requested them to do cameos in the film and because I've known them for ages, I'm sure they won't let me down. Both are like my elder brothers. If they do a little bit for my debut film, for me, it'll be a blessing from both.
You're working on a Christmas day which also happens to be your birthday.
Every year I used to throw my birthday parties. So all my friends used to tell me - 'Where is the party this year dude?' But truly speaking, this is the biggest party for me, to be working on the sets of Kal Kissney Dekha. I've waited all my life to do this. So I am the happiest guy on this planet. Can you believe it, I am also dancing today. Good way to celebrate my birthday na?
What's your role in the film?
I am playing a small town boy who comes to Mumbai from Chandigarh. 'Hello, I am Nihal Singh from Chandigarh', that's how I address myself in the film. I can only reveal that much right now.
Brief us about what are you doing today. Looks like a dance competition.
Today we are shooting the title track of the film which happens to be an inter college youth festival called 'Energy'. It's an item number song with a special appearance by one of India's finest talents. Can't reveal it now because it's a close kept secret by Vivek. It's a night shoot and I am trying to cope up with the lovely steps being choreographed by Remo.
How was the first day of your shoot?
I was almost short of peeing in my pants because it's a dream come true and finally you're there. All of a sudden you feel whether or not I'll be able to act. But my director, cameraman and the entire cast and crew were so supportive of me. They've really helped me build my confidence.
|
If people think that I have got it the easy way, they're wrong.
|
Talk about the new beauty in Tinsel town, your co-star in the film, Vaishali Desai.
What can I say about her? She is a very nice girl; she is stunning, lovely, and beautiful. I am short of words here. As I always say, she is better than me (laughs). I couldn't have asked for a better co-star. She is so rooted and simple that you want to fall in love with her. At the same time, she is very hard working too.
The Bhagnanis meeting the Desais here. What a lethal combo.
The expectations are bound to happen. My father has made larger than life films and Manmohan Desaiji has made even bigger films. We've put an honest effort in Kal Kissney Dekha. We are not trying to better anyone else but are trying to compete with each other by making a real honest effort to entertain the audiences. I hope they appreciate whatever we've made.
You sound really simple and straight forward. Is that how Jacky is in real life?
It's better to be straight forward because at the end of the day I am a common man who is out there to fulfill his dreams and this is the path I've taken. If you're more simple to people and straight forward, they'll accept you and like you for what you are.
What's the common man's plan for the New Year?
I'll be at home with my family because everything has gone really bad this time around in Mumbai. None of my friends are really doing too much. But we'll have a small get together at someone's place and enjoy.
Which is your favourite Vashu Bhagnani film?
My favourite film is Biwi No 1 and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.
Any director in particular you'd long or lust to work with?
(Laughs) It's a never ending list. We really have great directors like Karan Johar, Aditya Chopra, Raj Kumar Hirani, Raj Kumar Santoshi, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and many. For me, it'll be a dream come true if any of the above named directors pick me up. But Vivek Sharma is the first on my list which I've tick marked.
How is Vivek on the sets? A tough cookie?
He doesn't shout but he very smartly and in a very sweet way puts his thing across. He is very open to suggestions from new comers like me too. That is what I like. He lets me do it and then makes me realize that it's wrong without cutting me. He has built my confidence as an actor and I'll always be indebted to him.
In the world filled with the Bachchan's, the Kapoor's, the Khan's and the Khanna's, will this Bhagnani last?
Very good question. All the names you've mentioned are too big for me to even compare myself to them. I'll definitely try and make a small place for me somewhere in a tiny shelf and try to entertain the audiences from my small domain.
Any parting message for our Bollywood Hungama fans who will soon be seeing the face of the year?
Try to like me a little bit and please see my film Kal Kissney Dekha with an open heart. Try to see my honest and sincere effort in the film. Merry Christmas to all you Bollywood Hungama surfers. Love you all and party hard!
|
SRK and Abhishek Bachchan in Vivek Sharma's Kal Kissney Dekha
