The dashing actor Akshay Oberoi started 2024 with a bang with Fighter, which was released on Republic Day. He’ll end the year with a release on Christmas, Kisko Tha Pata. It is directed by Ratnaa Sinha of Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana (2017) fame and interestingly, it will be released directly on Zee Cinema. Bollywood Hungama exclusively spoke to Akshay about Kisko Tha Pata, the direct television release for the film and a lot more.
Your debut film Isi Life Mein (2010) was released on Christmas and 14 years later, life comes full circle as Kisko Tha Pata is also a Christmas release. Does that make for a special experience for you?
That’s crazy man. I didn’t realize (the Christmas connection). Thanks for reminding me! To answer your question, well, my debut film was a complete washout. That experience was very painful. It was a Sooraj Barjatya production and hence, I felt that I hit the jackpot. So, I wouldn’t say Christmas has been special for me in that sense. However, what is interesting is that both films are of the same genre – both films are romantic love stories, and both are Christmas releases.
I guess everything is connected. As they say in our industry, kaam se kaam milta hai. Isi Life Mein helped you bag Pizza (2014) and many other projects…
True. Who knew then I’d do Flesh and Gurgaon (2017) and later, I’d bag a film like Fighter. But at that time, I felt terrible.
What made you sign Kisko Tha Pata?
It is one of the most exciting characters I’ve ever played. He looks like a chocolate guy but as the narrative unfolds, you start realizing that this guy is anything but a chocolate guy! It’s a very specially written and unique character. When you watch it, you’ll say, ‘I didn’t expect this to happen’. Also, I had seen Ratnaa Sinha’s Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana and Middle Class Love (2022). We started making too many Westernized films. They seem like they are based in New York and have nothing to do with India. She’s the only one making these kinds of movies that are very rooted and desi. It deeply reflected in the script of Kisko Tha Pata as well.
You’ll be seen completely shaven after a long time…
That was the director’s choice, and I was very glad because, in between, I didn’t want to look chocolaty or chikna! I wanted to do parts that were very edgy. In fact, after Isi Life Mein, I don’t think I have ever appeared clean-shaven in a film. However, here, Ratnaa wanted it as that’s how she saw the character. Thank God this happened as when I saw myself without any beard or moustache, I realized that I looked so young. It made me realize that I can still play younger roles; the ship hasn’t sailed yet (smiles).
You also have a thrilling bike racing scene in the film…
It was very scary. My co-star Aadil Khan is a bike expert. Usko bike daudane ka bahut mazaa aata hai. I used to be scared. We were speeding left and right, going up the mountain and riding down. I had to pretend that I wasn’t afraid. That, for me, was a challenge.
From the trailer, Kisko Tha Pata looks similar to Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana. In both the films, the boy and girl are all set to marry and just before the wedding, the girl runs away. Did you worry about these comparisons?
No, because the screenplay of Kisko Tha Pata is totally different from that of Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana. Also, there are only eight film stories in the entire world. Around these eight stories are the screenplays drafted. So, there’s always going to be an overlap. At the end of the day, it is the same director and same platform where the film did well. They were looking for a new-age version of the same film. Hence, it was made for that purpose. And I knew.
We have seen films released in cinemas or directly on an OTT platform. But Kisko Tha Pata will premiere on Zee Cinema. Why was that? Was the earlier plan to release it in theatres or on Zee 5?
On the contrary, it was decided from the first day that it was meant for Zee Cinema. It was never intended to go on Zee5 or in cinemas. The day I met the makers of this film, it was always supposed to be a made-for-Zee-Cinema movie. I thought it was a brilliant concept. There should be more of this, especially with our industry in the doldrums. We have to reconnect with the audience and figure out what they like. Hence, we need makers who can grab eyeballs on the satellite. Otherwise, we are losing touch with the audience.
People might take this film halke mein since it's coming on Zee Cinema. But when you watch the film, I promise you it’s going to work. The target audience is sure to love Kisko Tha Pata. I have never been this confident about a film. Also, look at how popular TV is. It is still the most powerful medium. Our television stars are bigger than our film stars.
I guess the pattern of gauging feedback for an OTT film and a TV film is the same…
Indeed. If my film is coming to cinemas, I can check its box office performance. But if I have a film or show released on an OTT platform or on television, it’s the same thing. In fact, there are more people watching satellite than the web. That makes it very exciting.
How has been the year for you? You started with Fighter and had a few more exciting projects later on…
The year has been spectacular. Fighter was a game-changer for me. It got me films like Toxic and Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari. I had multiple releases; old films of mine, which were ready, suddenly got a release due to my presence in this big film. Hence, things are finally falling into place after all these years.
You celebrate your birthday on January 1. What plans?
My birthday plan is to go to Karjat with a few family friends. I plan to have a good time and then resume my shoot.
Hrithik Roshan is also born in January. How has been your bond with him? Are you both still in touch?
Our bond is incredible. We had a very good working relationship. I am genuinely very fond of him, and I can feel the same kind of warmth from him. He’s not the ‘gyaan bataoing’ type! However, he’s quite supportive of me and whenever we have met post the release, he has given me words of wisdom. I hold them close to my heart because whatever he says, I really value.
More Pages: Fighter Box Office Collection , Fighter Movie Review
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