“Ready is a complete masala entertainer” – Bhushan Kumar

By Nikhil Ramsubramaniam -

June 26, 2010 - 2:28 PM IST

When it comes to music, he is the man with the Midas touch. Taking reins from his father at a young age, he has transformed his company T-Series into a force to reckon with in the Indian Music industry. He is also a producer who knows where to put his money. We are talking about none other than the dynamic Mr. Bhushan Kumar who has some really big projects like Ready, Patiala House and Kajraare in the pipeline. In an exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama' s Nikhil Ramsubramaniam, Bhushan talks about the Salman Khan starrer Ready and future projects of T-Series. Read on...

“Ready is a complete masala entertainer” – Bhushan Kumar

After Lucky- No Time For Love, you are once again back with Salman Khan for Ready. How has been the experience this time around?

The experience with Salman bhai has always been very good since we have been involved with the music of many of his hit films. Right from Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Tere Naam, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya to Wanted we have had a great association with bhai. All these films have had blockbuster music It's always been a friendly and family kind of a feeling whenever we are doing a film with him. So it feels nice to re-unite once again with him for Ready.

Right from Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Tere Naam, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya to Wanted we have had a great association with Salman bhai

Ready is a remake of a super-hit Telugu film. What made you choose the subject for a remake?

I was always looking for a script which has everything and I found that in Ready. The film has lots of humour, there are 2-3 action sequences which Salman fans will love, there are a lot of dramatic sequences, we also have good scope for music. In short it's a total masala entertainer with proper story and screenplay.

So have you acquired the rights from the makers of the original film?

Yesâ€¦we have acquired the rights officially

Is the Hindi version a scene- by- scene remake of the Telugu version or have you modified it?

We have modified it slightly to suit the taste and temperament of the Hindi speaking audience. We have also incorporated a few scenes keeping Salman bhai's character in mind.

We have modified it slightly to suit the taste and temperament of the Hindi speaking audience. We have also incorporated a few scenes keeping Salman bhai's character in mind.

How did you decide on Asin for the female lead?

The character of the girl in this film is very very humorous. Me, bhai and even Anees bhai had really liked Asin's work in Ghajini. Her character in this film too is of someone who is very bubbly, chirpy with a lot of masti and humour. So we felt Asin is the perfect choice for this role.

Besides Salman and Asin, who else form part of the supporting cast?

There is Paresh Rawal, Mahesh Manjrekar, Puneet Issar, Manoj Pahwaâ€¦it's quite an ensemble cast.

This is the first time you are working with Anees Bazmee. How has been the experience?

It feels very good. We've got a superb combination of Anees bhai and Salman bhai who have earlier given the blockbuster No Entry. Anees bhai and I have always wanted to work with each other and were waiting for the right project. I am happy that we have got this opportunity now with Ready.

We've got a superb combination of Anees bhai and Salman bhai who have earlier given the blockbuster No Entry

Your films have always had chartbuster music. Tell us something about the music of Ready?

Pritam is composing the music of Ready. We have 5 songs plus a title song for Ready. The album will have 3 romantic songs plus 2 dance numbers something on the lines of 'Mauja Hi Mauja'

You were initially supposed to shoot the film in Mauritius but are now shooting in Sri Lanka. Why the sudden change of location?

We wanted to shoot at a proper resort; we were supposed to shoot at a resort in Mauritius and even did a recce. But when Salman bhai went to Sri Lanka for IIFA, he saw a few beautiful resorts and was very happy with the location. He proposed the idea to Anees bhai and me that we shoot the film in Lanka. We also checked out the place and found it perfect. That's how we decided to shoot in Lanka.

We were supposed to shoot at a resort in Mauritius and even did a recce. But when Salman bhai went to Sri Lanka for IIFA, he saw a few beautiful resorts and was very happy with the location.

Weren't you wary of shooting in Lanka after all the controversy that has happened in recent times?

Noâ€¦somebody has to take an initiative. I don't think these things should create any controversy. Recently, many Bollywood stars went there for the IIFA, even the Indian cricket team is playing there. There are so many South films which are being shot there, so it's no big deal.

So how long is the current schedule in Sri Lanka?

The shooting started on 21st June. It's a 27 day schedule. We are targeting to complete nearly 40% of the talkie portions of the film. All the cast members are participating in the shoot currently.

Where else are you planning to shoot the film?

We are tentatively planning the next schedule in Thailand.

And when are you planning to release the film?

We are looking to release it in Summer of 2011.

What are the other films coming from your banner this year?

Next up we have Kajraare releasing in August starring Himesh and Mona Laizza. The music of the film is already doing very well. Our next big release is Patiala House with Akshay and Anushka Sharma which is coming on Nov 19. We have pretty much finished with the shooting and are currently into post production.

Patiala House is clashing with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Guzaarish and Harry Potter And The Deathly Hollows. Are you wary of such a clash?

Not really... Barring 2 - 3 exceptional cases, English films never really disturb the business of Hindi films to that level. As of now we are sticking to Nov 19.