EXCLUSIVE: Hemal A Thakkar talks about his journey from theatre to films and OTT; reveals UNTOLD story on how OMG was conceived in a Vile Parle bar; BREAKS silence on 27 cuts by CBFC to OMG 2: “We have become a very sensitive nation; even a social media post becomes a controversy”

OMG Oh My God (2012) has been one of the most impactful films of Indian Cinema and has been loved for its hard-hitting subject, entertaining scenes and performances. The film was adapted from a play and the man who had the foresight to do so was Hemal A Thakkar. Founder of Playtime Creations, alongside Paresh Rawal, Hemal has also backed OMG 2 (2023), a novel OTT film Welcome Home (2020) along with TV shows and stage productions. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Hemal A Thakkar spoke about his journey, the OMG experience and a lot more.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Hemal A Thakkar talks about his journey from theatre to films and OTT; reveals UNTOLD story on how OMG was conceived in a Vile Parle bar; BREAKS silence on 27 cuts by CBFC to OMG 2: “We have become a very sensitive nation; even a social media post becomes a controversy”

 

Were you always keen to begin your career in theatre?

 

Yes. My father Ashok Thakkar was a theatre artist while my sister, Vaishali Thakkar, is also an actor. Hence, the inclination was always there. From a very young age, I watched all kinds of theatre; it was the only outing we had. Hence, I also chose to study at Wilson College as it had an inter-collegiate competition in drama. Slowly, I started maturing towards doing theatre. I began as an actor and then I realized that I could do better!

 

You have dabbled in films, TV and now also OTT. At the same time, you have continued to work in theatre…

 

I realized that I needed to grow and expand and not just restrict myself to theatre. This is how I dabbled into television. Then, we made a film, OMG Oh My God (2012). Later, we also began to make web series. Basically, the medium changes but the storytelling doesn’t. I am fully open to any medium, especially if there’s a good story in hand.

 

You recently raised some valid points in your Instagram post, ‘The audience is growing. The stage is evolving. But are we investing in what truly matters?’…

 

The era of theatre being patronized is gone. Earlier, people used to support theatre and look at it as an art. The biggest of businessmen and politicians used to watch theatre and vibe with the artists. There was this inclusivity of art and culture in society. That is clearly now changing. It is becoming business-oriented and this is not in favour of theatre as it’ll spoil its DNA. It is imperative that theatre retains the purity of expression for everyone involved, including the audience.

 

I believe cinema is also going through the same issue…

 

Yes. But cinema is going through a different s**t actually! We misused cinema for a long time and the audience allowed us to do so. Post-Covid, they stopped tolerating us. We have very sparingly produced some great content in cinema. I have seen The Godfather (1972) nearly 80 times. Then, the content was such that you would want to go back to it again and again. Even in Hindi, such great cinema was made in the 60s and 70s that you’d see it repeatedly and still be wowed by it. We did make great cinema even later on but the number of such films has been lesser.

 

OMG Oh My God was based on the play Kanji Viruddh Kanji. What made you feel that the play’s subject was apt for a film adaptation? And when did you all begin this process?

 

I guess it was in 2010. We got the idea in a bar in Vile Parle East! Umesh Shukla was having vodka while I was having whisky. This was a time when I was looking to graduate into making films. But coming from theatre, I needed a certain sensibility. Umesh happened to discuss this play which he had in his mind. I heard the idea and immediately told him that I wanted to make a film on this subject.

 

The ending of the play was different from the one in the film…

 

We believe you see a play and a movie differently. You accept everything that comes in theatre as everything is make-believe. But for films, you want a soft, nice ending which will leave you with a hopeful note. That’s how we decided to change the climax. Since you have seen the play, you know that it was more potent in terms of dialogues. We had to tone that down.

 

 

Was Paresh Rawal the original choice from the start?

 

Oh yes, totally. He was perfect and apt for the role of Kanji bhai.

 

How did Akshay Kumar come on board?

 

While we were adapting the drama for celluloid, the casting of Lord Krishna was always the topic of discussion. Paresh Bhai suggested that we should approach Akshay. We realized that he would be the perfect choice to play Lord Krishna. Since he and Paresh bhai are thick friends, he invited Akshay for a show. After he watched the play, he agreed to work in the film.

 

When OMG 2 announcement happened, we all were a bit dejected that Paresh Rawal wasn’t a part of the star cast. After watching the film, we had no complaints as Pankaj Tripathi also did very well. But why wasn’t Paresh Rawal signed for OMG 2?

 

This was the exact reason. Pankaj was as perfect in OMG 2 as Paresh was in OMG Part 1. Paresh bhai also felt that Pankaj would be a far better choice to play that character. This is because Kanti (OMG 2 character) was completely different from Kanji in OMG.

 

Before OMG 2’s release, the film suffered innumerable cuts. How did you cope in those difficult times?

 

Even in part 1, we faced cuts. These stories are lethal and make you question certain things. More than what is happening on screen, there are a lot of thoughts running in your mind. Due to the boldness of the project, people reacted the way they did, leading to cuts. They have to take care because we have become a very sensitive nation. We react to anything and everything. Even a social media post becomes a controversy. Hence, it’s better to draw a line. However, creatively, you do feel messed up. After all, you also want to be responsible to the audience and for the audience. But you can’t do anything about it. Sit in a bar, have a drink and forget about it!

 

What angered many people was that despite so many cuts, OMG 2 was still awarded an ‘A’ certificate…

 

Yes, as the subject was very bold. We were expecting that kind of (rating). Thankfully, it did well at the box office. Also, on OTT, it got a lot of love.

 

Any plans for OMG 3?

 

As of now, there’s nothing planned. It’s a very tough genre to crack each time.

 

What next and what are your other current projects?

 

In terms of theatre, I am doing An Evening With Krishna. It is currently running right now. I am planning a Hindi play and also a mythological stage production. Hopefully, by next month, we’ll be releasing our next web show on Sony LIV. It is called Black White & Gray. It’s an absolutely fresh genre.

 

Your 2020 web film Welcome Home is not available any more on Sony LIV. Will it be available on some other streaming giant?

 

I had licensed it on Sony LIV. Right now, there’s no platform. The platforms are too busy doing their own homework and budgets. Nevertheless, we do plan to release it on a streaming giant.  Meanwhile, its piracy copies are available on YouTube!

 

Any plans to return to acting?

 

No. I have quit acting. There are only a few friends for whom I sometimes act. Otherwise, I don’t think that I am a very good actor. I don’t even have the mindset of an actor. I wonder how they sit in their van (while waiting for the shot)!

 

Also Read: Kesari Chapter 2: Akshay Kumar channels Kathakali warrior spirit in powerful new look

Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection,New Movies Release, Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood News Today & upcoming movies 2024 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.