EXCLUSIVE: “When it’s Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma, I just say yes right away,” says Atrangi Re star Dhanush

By Bobby Mandhani -

December 16, 2021 - 12:20 PM IST

South superstar Dhanush is all set and gearing up for the release of his third Bollywood film Atrangi Re after Raanjhanaa (2013) and Shamitabh (2015). In the film, Dhanush has been cast opposite actress Sara Ali Khan. The film has proven to be one of the most anticipated and awaited films of the year. Currently, its promotions are going on in full swing. In a recent promotional press meet, Dhanush got into an exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama. During the conversation, the Atrangi Re star spoke at a length about the film, his bond with director Aanand L. Rai, and co-star Sara Ali Khan, shooting amidst the pandemic, and much more.

EXCLUSIVE: “When it’s Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma, I just say yes right away,” says Atrangi Re star Dhanush

How ‘Atrangi’ was the film for you?

Beautiful! I can say very confidently, that you will love the film and you would also fall in love with all the characters brilliantly. AR Rahman sir has given us amazing songs and just wait for the background music. All I can say is that I'm very happy to be a part of this film and the way the film is shaped.

You share a very good rapport with Aanand L. Rai and he even mentioned you being a delight for any director? What would you comment upon it?

We do share a very good bond. That is really a very nice compliment to have. I'm glad, he feels that way and that I'm able to do justice and play his character with conviction. I'm happy to be given such nice, amazing roles and to have had the opportunity to work with such brilliant makers. So I'm just grateful.

Sara praised you and mentioned you in her previous interview as an inspiration. What kind of bond do you share with her as a co-star?

As co-stars, we shared a good bond. We had very little time to think about anything else because we had such difficult characters to play through. And we had to be articulated every single minute. Very kind of Sara to say such lovely words. I try my level best to be to make any film. When the maker is expecting something out of it, I try my level best to give my everything to the film. So I'm really not trying to be helpful. I feel like I'm doing my duty. This film demands that kind of sincerity from me and Sara. So I'm very happy, she's done brilliantly.

You've been offered various Bollywood films before, what made you select this over any other?

No, it's not like I chose this over anything. It's just that everything should fall into place. I mean, there are brilliant scripts that came my way. I couldn't do because I was doing something else at that point of time. So many things. I mean, it's a big process, and it needs to be followed. But Aanand and Himanshu when it's them, I just say yes, right away. A day or before he told me that I need you around this time. So, I was like, okay, block those days, and everything should fall into it. But I understand what you mean and I am trying to do more.

So from Ranjhaana to Shamitabh to now Atrangi Re how has been your journey in Bollywood?

I think I've been blessed with such wonderful films and makers. I'm very proud of the two films that I've done here Ranjhaana and Shamitabh. And I'm very proud of Atrangi Re too. I wish I will get more of an opportunity to work with such brilliant filmmakers and be blessed with good characters to play.

You were shooting before the lockdown happened over there and suddenly after the lockdown you resumed shoot, so how was that like shooting before and after lockdown? Sara mentioned she immediately shot the song 'Chaka Chak' with 200 people and that too when Covid was at its peak. So how was that experience?

No, we have taken all the precautions. I know a lot of people were there but all of them were tested. And all of them were quarantined. And we were in a bio-bubble and it was done very, very carefully. And we maintained all safety measures possible that I think it is important. I mentioned that also. Well, lockdown and post lockdown for me, I just understood the value of being on sets. I mean, I always knew, I was grateful. But now I understood even more.

ALSO READ:EXCLUSIVE: “Sara Ali Khan is a very greedy actor while Dhanush is a delight for any director,” says Atrangi Re director Aanand L Rai