EXCLUSIVE: Anil Sharma ecstatic with Vanvaas response: “NEVER EVER got so much love”; DEFENDS the release period: “Who knew Pushpa 2 would become such a monstrous hit?”

By Fenil Seta -

December 24, 2024 - 10:52 AM IST

Vanvaas has turned out to be a surprise of the season as the film has got immense acclaim from the audience. The collections have been dismal but the silver lining is that the trend is strong. Hence, it is expected to stay in cinemas for a long time despite the competition from Pushpa 2, Mufasa: The Lion King and Baby John. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Anil Sharma talked about this aspect and a lot more.

EXCLUSIVE: Anil Sharma ecstatic with Vanvaas response: “NEVER EVER got so much love”; DEFENDS the release period: “Who knew Pushpa 2 would become such a monstrous hit?”

The critics haven’t quite liked Vanvaas but the audience has showered a lot of love…
I don’t agree. The critics have also liked it. Many of them have given 3 or 4 stars. A few of them didn’t like but 90% of them praised the film. I thank them. They also appreciate the fact that a film in the family genre has been made after a long time.

Did you visit cinema halls to check the feedback?
Yes. For the first time, I saw my film in the cinema hall. The viewers came forward to talk to me. I am also seeing videos of audience reactions in other cinemas. This is a film I made to fulfil my responsibility to the society. I could have made a big action film after Gadar 2 (2023) but I chose to make this film as I considered it a duty. I am glad it paid off. I am getting calls non-stop. Itna pyaar aur sammaan mil raha hai mujhe iss film ke liye jo mujhe kabhi nahin mila!

What are your views on its box office performance?
The film is a slow starter. Thankfully, Monday is better than Friday. Gradually, the film will grow. So many big-scale films are running at the same time in cinemas. But I am sure the film will work because the public’s verdict is in favour of Vanvaas.

Many feel that Vanvaas should not have released amid so many big films like Pushpa 2, Mufasa: The Lion King and Baby John…
Yes, but we had announced the date in advance and the publicity had already begun. Who knew Pushpa 2 would become such a monstrous hit? Ab jo ho gaya, woh ho gaya. Thankfully, the public is liking the film and gradually, the film will get its audience. The holiday season would also work in our favour.

Do you like that Vanvaas is beingcalled the modern-day Baghban (2003) and Avtaar (1983)?
Of course, I love it. Both Baghban and Avtaar were such big successes. I am a fan of both films. For me, it’s a great comparison. If you notice, such films come once in 20 years. Baghban came 20 years after Avtaar. Vanvaas was released 20 years after Baghban (smiles). Even action films are similarly compared but since there are too many of them, the parallels drawn are few and far between. But since very limited family films are made, such comparisons are inevitable.

Often, our Bollywood films start looking like South or Hollywood or even Korean films. But Vanvaas looks like a real Hindi film. It’s also a wholesome entertainer. It’s not a depressing fare; it has a lot of entertainment as well. How did you manage to do so?
I come from Mathura. Jeevan bhar main Hindi cinema ke beech mein raha hoon. I have seen Hindi films all my life. So, I believe that a Hindi film has to be a wholesome entertainer, full of dance, songs and a story that touches you emotionally. That’s what believe in. I am also particular that my films should be such that one can watch with their family – with your parents, siblings, children etc. Even Nana Patekar ji and Aamir Khan ji said in a podcast that Anil ji ki filmein saaf suthri hoti hai. I am very particular that every section of the audience should be interested to see my film. Aisa na ho meri film mein kuch log kat jaaye.

In a lighter vein, it can be uncomfortable to watch films like Vanvaas and Baghban with your parents. Children fear that after watching the films, the parents will bring up ugly instances from the past or fear that their children will also abandon them, the way Nana Patekar was abandoned in Vanvaas…
(Smiles) Yes, I understand that the parents might make such comments. But that’s okay. Most people won’t do this. Some adjustments are necessary. Agar dhool thodi si jam gayi hai, toh usse phoonk maar ke udaana zaruri hai. Children love their parents. Jo bacche maa baap se pyaar kar rahe hai, wohi iss film ko zyada pasand kar rahe hai.

How is your bond with your son Utkarsh Sharma, who also features in the film?
My bond with Utkarsh is zabardast. We live like friends. He has also done a great job in the film.

You often work with new actresses, be it Ameesha Patel in Gadar (2001), Priyanka Chopra in The Hero (2003), Divya Khosla Kumar and Sandali Sinha in Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo (2004), Katrina Kaif in Apne (2007), Urvashi Rautela in Singh Saab The Great (2013) or Simratt Kaur in Gadar 2 and Vanvaas. Often, many believe that working with newcomers can be difficult as they don’t have the experience…
On the contrary, new actors don’t give you any tension! They follow your instructions. Also, the industry needs new actors and I am trying to fulfil the requirement in my own small way.

You also love shooting in real locations. How difficult was it to film Vanvaas in the crowded locales of Banaras and Shimla?
It was difficult but it is also satisfying as a filmmaker. Real ka mazaa real hota hai. Set ka mazaa alag hota hai. Main real mein believe karta hoon and hence, I shot in real locations.

What plans for 2025? Will we finally see you take Gadar 3 on floors?
The plan before that is to ensure Vanvaas also runs in the new year! We hope Vanvaas is there in cinemas throughout January. After that, we’ll work on Gadar 3.

Have the Deols – Dharmendra, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol – seen Vanvaas?
They haven’t got the chance. They’ll soon watch the film.

Any final thoughts?
I request everyone to watch the film with their whole family. Yeh film nahin hai. Yeh ek samajik zimmedaari hai banane waali ki bhi aur dekhne waale ki bhi.

Also Read: Anil Sharma on the low opening of Vanvaas, “Collections will gradually grow”