Yesterday, Bollywood Hungama exclusively gave readers a review of the 5.30 minutes approx. footage of Baby John which was shown to the exhibitors at the Big Cine Expo 2024. Starring Varun Dhawan, Keerthy Suresh, Wamiqa Gabbi and Jackie Shroff, the film’s extended trailer was presented by presenter Atlee Kumar of Jawan (2023) fame, producers Priya Atlee and Murad Khetani and director Kalees. In this article, we’ll report on what Atlee said during the trailer preview.
Atlee began by saying, “I am thankful to Jio Studios, which really supported us through this journey. Kalees is my best friend; he has been with me for 18 years. He has directed this film. He’s a great support.”
He said, “Baby John has been in the making for the last 2 years and we completed the shoot last May. We are looking forward to presenting this film, which is in our zone, that is, the mass commercial zone. It also has a much-needed message about women's safety, and it is related to society right now.”
He thanked the single screen and multiplex owners saying, “You all have always been a great support in my life.”
Murad Khetani took the mic and he kept his speech short. He said, “Thank you Atlee sir for trusting me. I learned a lot from him.”
Post-preview talks
Once the Baby John extended trailer was played, Vishek Chauhan, owner of Roopbani Cinema in Purnia, Bihar, took the microphone and told Atlee, “Just a confirmation that it’s a super-hit and a blockbuster. Thank you for making this film. It’s going to do record-breaking business.” A humbled Atlee bowed down.
Atlee then said, “We have presented Varun Dhawan in a larger-than-life way. The core of the film is much needed. Every day, unprecedented and unbearable incidents are happening against women in the country. It puts us in a very emotional state. I want to give voice, but a voice has to come up with a solution.” He added, “It’s a fight between a good father and a bad father – what a good father should do and what a bad father shouldn’t do.”
Atlee continued, “The whole idea is to come up with a human emotion. This is the reason that all my 5 films, up to Jawan, have worked because there is hero power in the film, no denying that, but there’s also mother nature and father nature which my mother, father along with my wife and my son have taught me (smiles).”
An exhibitor asked whether it was a remake of any film. Atlee confessed, “It’s a pure adaptation from Theri, which is a blockbuster film I made in 2016. Even after that film was released, incidents (against women) are still happening all around the world. So, we have given a new touch to it and the film is in sync with the current scenario. We have also adapted a few real incidents.”
Varun joins the madness virtually
At this point, Atlee made a video call to Varun Dhawan. The actor told the attendees, “Thank you for giving us this opportunity. I have always believed that the distribution and the exhibition sector are the backbone. Please keep supporting us. Please try and give us the best showcasing. Otherwise, I’ll have to come and fight with all of you!”
On a serious note, he stated, “I love all of you. You guys have supported us and even my father.”
Atlee then thanked Murad Khetani and Kalees. About Priya Atlee, he said, “She’s my wife and has gone through the whole process in the film. She has been a great support. Congratulations on your first film!”
Atlee shares his mass formula and love for the single screens
The anchor then asked Atlee about how he got the idea to make mass films. He explained, “How I found mass in me was during my temple visits as a child. We used to stand in long queues. It was a chance to be surprised. We used to be like, ‘Now, we are going to see Him’, ‘Now, we are going to see Him’. Slowly, we start hearing music coming from the temple. Closer to that, you see God and the aarti. Once again, you get goosebumps and then you finally see God. This is a heroism and also a hope moment. I want to bring that to screen. Considering that I have seen a lot of films of legendary directors and legendary heroes, they have given the same kind of experience.”
Atlee continued, “Hence, I feel writers and directors should concentrate on theatrical moments, regardless of the genre. Let it be a realistic or commercial film, but we have to write something for the theatres because the audience spending money on cinema is a huge task for them. But they don’t mind. 100% I can guarantee that everyone wants to come to theatres. It's only that we writers and directors have to give them a theatrical experience.”
He further stated, “It can be a realistic film about Dhoni sir or a space film, but they have to write it with theatrical moments. Most of them are doing it now.”
Atlee praised the makers of Stree 2 for doing so and exulted, “Most of the films which are going to come this year will bring the audience to the theatre. Jawan, Pathaan, Gadar 2 and Animal brought a lot of people to theatres in 2023. This year, we guarantee you 100% that we’ll bring the audience to theatres with Baby John! We have worked very hard on it. That’s why I haven’t started my directorial film as I want to see how Baby John works.”
The anchor then asked about his favourite theatre. Atlee took a while to answer, “Sorry, I know very little about the geography of Bombay. But I love Gaiety-Galaxy. I don’t know what is about that theatre. Though I have not been to most theatres, still my favourite is Gaiety-Galaxy.”
The anchor clarified that she meant his favourite theatre in India and not just Mumbai. This time, Atlee didn’t take much time to reply, “If you ask me about the whole of India, then my answer would be Vetri Cinemas from Tamil Nadu and also Rohini Theatre, Chennai. I love all single screens.”
As Atlee Kumar said this, there was a loud cheer from the single-screen exhibitors. Realizing that the multiplex sector might feel left out, Atlee clarified, “Don’t take me wrong (laughs). Single screens allow us to scream and enjoy. The multiplexes should also allow us! Of course, we’ll maintain dignity and cleanliness for sure. But please allow us to celebrate a little more. I think with Jawan, most multiplexes allowed us (to celebrate).”
Produced by Jio Studios, Cine1 Studios and A For Apple Productions, Baby John releases in cinemas on December 25.
More Pages: Baby John Box Office Collection
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