“Indians relate to underdog stories” – Saqib Saleem on Hawaa Hawaai

May 9, 2014 - 10:39 AM IST

For Saqib Saleem, it has been an unconventional journey so far in Bollywood. With films as different as Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge, Mere Dad Ki Maruti, Bombay Talkies and now Hawaa Hawaai, the youngster is making different choices indeed.

“Indians relate to underdog stories” – Saqib Saleem on Hawaa Hawaai

Guess the vibes are just right for Hawaa Hawaai, as this film with children isn't exactly just about children, right?

That's right. It is not about kids or I, it is about people who dream. I feel that if you can dream it, then you can achieve it. Moreover, the film is a complete entertainer and is neither an art film nor a kids film. There is a lot of 'masala' in there. Amole (Gupte) sir has made a damn good film and hopefully just like the way we have liked the film, everyone else too would like it the same way.

How did you react when the film first came to you? Was it a quick decision to be made?

I have been a fan of Amole as an actor as I loved him as Bhopebhai in Kaminey. Then when somebody told me that he is the man behind Taare Zameen Par and Stanley Ka Dabba, I was like 'what a man, he is an inspiration'. Honestly, I had tears in my eyes when I first heard the script; it was that good. I was so happy to be getting to work with a great director like Amole. The film is about dreaming with eyes open and I liked the underlining message it comes with. When you watch the film, you would feel euphoric. It's a very simple film with no fakeness.

Amole himself comes as a no-nonsense director though.

Well, it was a little nerving for me as an actor because he doesn't say 'cut' while filming a scene. He loves improvising and for me it was brilliant because I enjoy improvising. He just keeps the camera rolling. I am a student and he is a mentor. Moreover, he doesn't give dialogues to the kids; he just gives them the situation and makes them understand the scenes so that they are just themselves.

For you as an actor, it must have been a different world from the work you have done in the past.

In each of my earlier films, I was quite a junior while in here I was the most senior actor of them all. I am someone who just wants to work with someone who can help me hone my skills and graph. In this regard, I can't lie in my acting with Amole as he always looks for certain honesty in my performance. In fact he didn't even look at the monitor since he would just hear the scene. Really, he is a very different guy to work with. I have learnt a lot of new things and also unlearnt a few from the past.

One such experience would have been to share a frame with the kids, right?

They are so pure that whatever they feel, it is on their face. (Laughs) In my earlier films I was this kid on the sets whereas in Hawaa Hawaai I was the elder brother out there. I had to bring this shift in my mind. It made me grow up too and now I have matured a little while shooting this film. This has also helped me portray all facets of my acting so that people can see and place me for different roles. I am not thinking about anything being conventional or unconventional.

So what happens next?

Well, my focus is to do selective but quality films. I have been lucky till date in this regard. I may not have great money spinners to my name but then I am a positive guy and I will keep working hard till I become something. When I listen to a story or a script, I don't try to be find heroism in there. If I like it, I do it. For example, when Karan (Johar) narrated Bombay Talkies to me and told me about the kiss, I didn't question him at all. I knew that everything was supposed to be there wasn't forced. I am an actor after all. When you believe in a character and the content is great then you can pull off anything.

One can see that the makers are quite confident about Hawaa Hawaai too and have held quite a few pre-release screenings.

Yes, Fox is completely backing the film. They know the potential of the film. It's an underdog story and every Indian relates to a subject like this because somewhere down the line we all are underdogs. This is a nice clean family film with no double meaning dialogues or offensive content. It's a film with a heart so audiences would definitely connect with it.