The family entertainer Ghudchadi is all set to release this Friday and director Binnoy K Gandhi is over the moon due to the response to the trailer and songs. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, he spoke about the Sanjay Dutt-Raveena Tandon-Khushalii Kumar-Parth Samthaan starrer, his bond with Ranbir Kapoor and working with Aamir Khan and Kajol in Fanaa (2006).
How does it feel that your directorial debut will be out in less than a week?
I kind of had a mental breakdown last night in front of my wife, in a good way! This is because I was checking the response we got for the song ‘Punjabi Munde’. And then I also came across an article that mentioned the upcoming releases. And it mentioned Ghudchadi along with Stree 2! I was wowed and I was like ‘It’s actually happening’. It’s also a surreal moment as I have been waiting for it for a very long time (to make a film). I did start a lot of projects but they didn’t take off. A lot of my colleagues, who were under me, had started making films and had 2-3 releases already! I used to wonder what was going on. But I guess great things take time. So, I am very happy that it has come at a perfect time.
The plot of the film is amusing – the father of the guy and the mother of the girl fall in love and want to get married, jeopardizing the love story of the youngsters. Often, films with great plots falter in the second half. How were you and the writers able to tide over this problem and come up with an ending that is logical and also acceptable to the audience?
The characters of Sanjay Dutt and Raveena Tandon have lost their partners. The trailer gives the feel of a comedy and I could have easily made it as a David Dhawan entertainer. Everybody would have enjoyed it. But I wanted to make a statement that children should respect what their parents want. Children have their own lives, they fall in love, get married, etc. But if their parents lost their spouse at a young age, they get very lonely. I have seen this happen with a couple of my friends. Tomorrow, they might find a partner with whom they can get out for a meal and not get judged by anybody. This is the idea we had and we have managed to put the point across. I hope that people like it. The fun part is, of course, the climax where viewers will get to know that ghudchadi kiski hogi? Nevertheless, be ready for a really nice emotional ride. The second half is a tearjerker. You’ll look at your parents in a different way after this film.
Ghudchadi seems like an ideal film to be seen in cinemas with your family. However, it’s releasing on Jio Cinema. Was there an attempt made to get it on the big screen first?
Every film has its own destiny. Today, the biggest of films at times are opening to the smallest of numbers. After COVID, it’s hard to go to a theatre and make that extra time and effort. People would rather watch the film at home. I don’t blame them as I also do the same at times. I would have loved it if Ghudchadi had come to the theatres. But our producers thought that we should go for an OTT release. People usually avoid these kinds of films in theatres. It’s not like we have an A-lister. But the response to the trailer was tremendous. Now we are wondering if we should have released the film in cinemas! I am happy that at least, people wanted our film in the theatres. I am also glad it's releasing on Jio Cinema. It’s got a Pan-India reach and has Bigg Boss, IPL, Olympics, etc.
Was it easy or tough to convince Sanjay Dutt and Raveena Tandon to come on board?
My father-in-law, J P Dutta, was supposed to do a film called Choodiyaan with Sanju and Raveena. It was supposed to be his third or fourth film. He had shown me the poster and revealed that he had even gone to Belgium to shoot a song. I was amazed at the star cast. When I narrated Ghudchadi to my wife, she told me that she could get Sanju and Raveena. I was not sure. Nevertheless, we met Raveena and loved the plot. Sanju sir loved the one-line concept and he agreed to do it. I am thankful to God that I could fulfil my father-in-law’s dream of having the same star cast that he had in mind at one point.
Both Sanjay Dutt and Raveena Tandon were an absolute dream to work with. I worked with so many actors like Aamir Khan, Saif Ali, Rani Mukerji, Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, etc. But these two guys were a dream to work with. Sanju used to read the script once and would be ready for the take. I would have my doubts. But he would crack the shot as if he had rehearsed the scene ten times. Raveena, meanwhile, is the epitome of professionalism. She was great to work with too. They have also done 3-4 films in the past and have known each other for 30-40 years. So, their chemistry came alive instantly.
In early 90s filmmaker JP Dutta was making #Choodiyan with Sanjay Dutt, Madhuri Dixit and Raveena Tandon.
An announcement poster was released, but the film eventually got shelved. pic.twitter.com/Is6vEsBLr8
— CinemaRare (@CinemaRareIN) February 21, 2022
You are good friends with Ranbir Kapoor. Has he seen the trailer?
He did. He said that he liked it and he hoped that the audience appreciated it as well. But now, I am not that close to him as he’s busy with his family life and also is quite busy with his films like Animal and Ramayan. So, he’s in a different phase of mind as well.
At one point, you wanted to make a film with him. Any plans to revive the plan?
We have been childhood friends and have grown up together. But we lost touch 5-6 years ago. When you are a director, you want to work with the best and he’s the best today. Hence, the thought was also there. However, you also need to see which actors are available. Today, I know that he’s doing Ramayan and a few more projects. He’s, therefore, busy for the next 5-6 years.
I am also close to Arjun Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur. I also know Varun Dhawan through Rohit and have grown up together. I’d love to do a film with either one of them. I feel Arjun is a powerhouse of talent. It’s just that he’s been unlucky. Adi is a lovely actor to work with and so is Varun. I hope that they like my film and want to work with me.
As an assistant director, you worked on several significant films, one of which was Fanaa. How was it working with Aamir Khan and Kajol?
I wanted to be a film director as I had seen Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) 500 times! I was a very big fan of Aamir. Incidentally, it was Ranbir who got me on board to do Fanaa. He knew Kunal and I was with RGV at that time. I was working under Prawaal Raman for Darna Mana Hai (2003) and Gayab (2004). Hence, my journey with YRF and Kunal started due to RK and I’ll always be thankful to him.
On the sets of Fanaa, I was excited and would simply stare at Aamir Khan. It was the first time I had a dream come true experience as I got a chance to work with my most favourite actor because of whom I wanted to be a director.
I have never seen anybody as prepared as Aamir Khan. The climax had Kajol shooting Aamir. We were dubbing that scene. Aamir is the only actor I have seen in my life who dubbed that entire scene in one take. It had five minutes of action. I just stood there and wondered, ‘What are these actors made of?’! They are beyond excellence.
Kajol, meanwhile, is the complete opposite of Aamir. Aamir used to prepare for hours while she used to prepare for one minute!
Also Read: Double Ismart Trailer: Ram Pothineni and Sanjay Dutt engage in epic battle with a sci-fi twist
More Pages: Ghudchadi Box Office Collection
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