Neerraj Pathak took a major step as a director through the crime thriller Right Yaaa Wrong (2010). The film was acclaimed for its taut script and execution. It is also known for its unusual casting of Sunny Deol and Irrfan Khan, who played close friends turned foes. But it wasn’t easy for Pathak to bring both of them on board together. He revealed the interesting casting process of the film in an exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama.
Pathak said that Sunny Deol is like his brother. After Apne, which he had written, Sunny was keen to work with him a gain and asked him to bring a good script to his notice. Pathak took the script of Right Yaaa Wrong and offered it to Sunny.
“He liked it a lot,” said Pathak. “He asked me who will I cast in the role of the other protagonist. It needed a strong actor. I told him I have Kay Kay Menon and Irrfan Khan in mind as I feel they are a good fit for the role. With Irrfan, I had done a serial on Doordarshan many years ago called Anugoonj. It was for 26 episodes. We were friends since then. I had promised him then to sign him as the hero for my first film.”
However, despite liking the script, Irrfan wasn’t keen on doing the film. Pathak said, “He told me, ‘Bhai, you are Sunny Deol’s friend and his favourite. He is such a big actor. Maan lo agar woh zor se chilla denge toh mera toh role waise bhi kamzor ho jayega. (In case he shouts during a scene, my role will automatically become weak). And you fill favour him’. So, initially, he refused the film. I asked him to trust me and told him that just like Sunny ji, he too is my friend and that films are not made on the basis of friendship, they are made through stories and characters. But he still didn’t say yes.”
Pathak then approached his next choice for the role, which was Kay Kay Menon. The actor liked the script and his role and was ready to plunge in. “When I was almost finalizing him, I spoke with Irrfan again,” said Pathak. “I told him, ‘I am now going to Kay Kay and finalizing him’. But Irrfan urged me to meet him right then.”
Pathak continued, “I went to meet Irrfan on the sets of Krazzy 4. I narrated the film to him again. He said, ‘Script toh teri faadu hai (Your script is amazing)’ and asked if I will make it exactly as per the script. I told him that there is no need for him to feel insecure and that Sunny ji is the most secure actor. I assured him that he doesn’t interfere in anyone else’s work and doesn’t cut other actor’s role; he is true to the story. Then finally Irrfan said he would do the film.”
Pathak was happy with the casting and the end product. “It is a highly critically acclaimed film. People liked it a lot. It was through this film that I got established as a filmmaker,” he said.
Pathak is currently in the news as the second season of his web show Inspector Avinash recently started streaming on JioHotstar.
More Pages: Right Yaaa Wrong Box Office Collection
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