“I am glad to see the positive side of affairs” – Prem Raj: Part 2

May 24, 2013 - 2:16 AM IST

Ishkq In Paris also marks the re-introduction of Rhehan Malliek as a main lead. However, was it a conscious decision on your part to bring him to the audience only closer to the release?

“I am glad to see the positive side of affairs” – Prem Raj: Part 2

Yes, that was the idea. He is now an integral part of the promotion and has starting talking to the media. I am sure that now the film has been released, he would be received very well. He is a very committed actor and what you would see on screen is a lot of sincerity. I think he is going to be a very good surprise package for all.

What also surprised was the new theatrical promo that was cut for the film and unveiled three weeks back. What was the idea there?

I have personally cut the trailer and know where my film stands. When we released our first teaser six months back, there were so many things being spoken about, many of which were not right. There were so speculations and rumours that it all numbed me eventually. I knew that I had a job in hand and that was to deliver the film to theatres. Now that the promos are being liked, I can see that the world has been kind to me. Trade is positive about the film and I have been receiving some flattering calls. While all this is good, I don't know what were people thinking earlier on (laughs).

What do you feel has worked with the audience as far as the new line of thought w.r.t. the film's promotion is concerned?

I believe a couple of lines spoken by my characters are quite integral to the film's narrative. See, my film is not about eternal love but basically about relationships as they are in today's times. This is what is going in the film's favour. So today when people are calling me to say that they like what they see, I am keeping my fingers crossed. I have seen comments which have been negative and now I am hearing things which are positive. The irony though is that the film is the same which I had made then.

Amusing, isn't it?

But then that's fine. I am humble enough to accept positive as well as negative stuff. I am just glad that it is the positive side of affairs that I am looking at now.

Now that the film is releasing today, you must be indeed charged to see it get a respectable release, especially after all the troubles that it faced six months back?

We are excited and happy. We are in a phase where we are feeling better. These are still early hours. Audience needs to love the film and I am curious to see the feedback pouring in. I am very happy though that there are people close to me who are joining me in this journey now. I am thankful to God and for the fact that I am doing the work that I want to do.

The film too has a lot of work to do in theatres though. After all, it is arriving now when the last two matches of IPL are being played.

Well, IPL is huge and popular across the globe. In fact before finalising today for the film's release, I had discussions with people who matter. On the brighter side, IPL is only for four hours in the evening. Leave that aside and the entire day is up for grabs. Of course these four hours will affect the film but then that's fine. If people want to watch the film and have made up their mind, they would step in nonetheless.

There isn't much competition though...

Exactly. The situation is definitely much better than what it could have been last year. If we would have stuck to our September timelines, we would have been in the midst of so many movies. Today we have an almost solo release. It is a good day to arrive. People want to watch cinema and a good movie would be definitely accepted.

Click here to read Part 1