EXCLUSIVE: Singham Again writer Kshitij Patwardhan on Singham being less angry this time, “His anger is subdued because…” : Bollywood News

Filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again became the talk of the town after its trailer was released because of its Ramayana connection. The idea of retelling the epic through the characters of Singham and Shetty’s Cop Universe was given by screenwriter Kshitij Patwardhan. This happens to be his first theatrical Hindi film after the web movie Sajini Shinde Ka Viral Video and the web show Taali. He got talking about his experience of working on Singham Again with Shetty and other things in an exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama.

EXCLUSIVE: Singham Again writer Kshitij Patwardhan on Singham being less angry this time, “His anger is subdued because…”

How has the response for Singham Again been so far?

The response has been encouraging and overwhelming. As it is my first Hindi film as a story writer and part of a screenplay team, it is quite overwhelming because till now I only used to do Marathi films. But this is my first Hindi mainstream work. So, I am very happy with the success coming our team’s way. I am still comprehending it because it’s too overwhelming.

You came up with the idea of retelling Ramayana in a contemporary way through the characters of Singham and other cops from Rohit Shetty’s Cop Universe. How and when did you think of this idea?

This idea came to me during a meeting with Rohit sir. I was thinking what values Bajirao Singham represents. He is a very righteous person. He is someone who doesn’t do anything wrong with anyone. He always stays on the path of truth. He is very respectful to good people, and he is someone who destroys evil. I felt all these qualities similar to the ones of Prabhu Ram. So, I thought if we can do something on this. I thought if we consider him as the Prabhu Ram of this era, then we can find the rest of the things quite well.

I told him that I find Ramayan very interesting because it is also the reason why we celebrate Diwali. I also said that if we do this, the rest of the characters will also get good entry points. And each character will have an emotional connection, like Lakshman, Hanuman, Garud, Jatayu, etc. He really liked the idea. And to tell you honestly, everybody developed that idea together.

There was a total of 9 writers in Singham Again. We don’t generally see this. How was this experience?

It was amazing to collaborate with everyone. First of all, we were a team of five screenplay writers – me, Sandeep Saket, Abhijeet Khuman, Anusha Nandamukar and Yunus Sajawal. And Rohit sir was also with us. After I gave the story idea, we started working. Then we worked out the screenplay with the team. Then we went away from the process for some time and the dialogue writers entered, which was Shantanu Srivastava and additional dialogue writing by Milap Zaveri. Then after Shantanu wrote the dialogues, we read the script again. By then, we had developed an objective, and we shared our feedback. Vidhi Ghodgaonkar is sir’s assistant. She also wrote some dialogues.

This time, Singham wasn’t angry as before. Was it because his character was linked to a calm personality like Lord Ram?

No, that is not the case. Actually, (Rohit) sir had a very beautiful thought on this. He said that let the character play his age. Now, his age has advanced, he has a young son, and he is taking pills for BP (blood pressure). So, this time his anger has been subdued as per his age. But something so personal happens that his anger that was inside gets an outburst. That’s why we felt it would be fun if he played his age. Rohit sir always had this in mind, and it has worked out well.

Rohit Shetty is known for having his writers on set. Did you visit the sets of Singham Again?

Yes, I visited the sets during the starting and ending portions of the shoot. I think it’s fantastic the way he treats his writers. He provides creative freedom, financial stability and respect. So, I enjoyed working in his team.

What I like the most about him is that he takes all challenges head on. His discipline is worth learning. He recently said in an interview that what would eventually happen is not in our hands, but how we do it and how much discipline and hard work we resort to. To cut a long story short, I liked his discipline and how to take care of his own team as a family. He also has a fully democratic way of working. Nobody is afraid to put his thoughts on the table and everyone has a say. He is a great leader.

As you said, you had been on the sets. Did you interact with the actors?

I met Ajay sir. I have been his fan since my childhood. I always feel that very few Indian actors have shown the kind of versatility like him. He is someone who has done Company and Omkara and also Golmaal and Drishyam. That is a great range. So, it was a very emotional moment to meet him in person and to be a part of a film where he is the hero, and I am one of the writers. When I migrated to Mumbai, Singham was the first film I saw in a theatre. So, there is a poetic connection to it.

Do you feel some of the reviews were too harsh?

I did feel that. But I will tell you very honestly that after Taali last year and Singham Again this year, I genuinely feel that the Indian audience has accepted new stories. These days, instead of instincts, reviews are ideology oriented. If their ideology is different, they won’t like anything in that film. For example, I read a couple of reviews which gave around two stars to the film and there were some with four stars. But there are very few reviews, like yours and Baradwaj Rangan’s, which were very unbiased.

I don’t have a problem if a review criticizes my work or doesn’t mention me. But I find it very unfortunate when a reviewer resorts to personal attacks and goes onto a hate narrative. Now, a film crossing Rs. 300 crores worldwide indicates that not many people took those reviews seriously. Also, nowadays the audience itself is a reviewer. They post their views on social media and Book My Show. You won’t believe, a single screen theatre owner from Amravati sent me a message saying that after a long time his theatre is going houseful because of our film. Now, what bigger review you want than this? I always feel response is bigger than a review.

You have worked in a lot of Marathi projects. Now, you have started working in Hindi too. What difference have you experienced in both industries?

I feel in Hindi there is a platform to think bigger and to be more creative, liberated and open. There is a studio or actor set-up, which can support your dream to reach a wider audience. That is a fundamental difference. In Marathi, you are required to do everything. In Hindi, there is an unapologetic star system, which can exponentially help your film reach a much wider audience. I did a lot of Marathi films. But after doing a Hindi film, I get one message from Poland. I got to experience this power of Hindi cinema for the first time.

Apart from Singham Again, you have also worked in Sajini Shinde Ka Viral Video and the web show Taali. How has your experience been in Hindi industry? You must have heard things about the industry before you entered it

It has been very good. I have worked with GSEAMS, Maddock Films and Rohit Shetty Productions and I had a good experience in all three. Basically, it’s a learning process. I am very fortunate that I got to meet some of the genuine talents in the country. For example, I have given narration to more than 20 actors in Hindi. I had heard things like there are credit-snatchers in the Hindi industry and people won’t let you go ahead. But fortunately, the people I have come across are not like that at all. I have been given respect that is more than my work and my name has been mentioned. Post Taali and Singham Again, I feel that I have been accepted by a larger audience. This is the kind of success that makes you hungrier.

What do you have in store now after Singham Again?

I am doing a Hindi film with Maddock Films, which I have already written. I have signed another Hindi film, and I am in talks with another. I am also writing Hindi songs for some exciting projects.

Is the Maddock film a part of their horror-comedy universe?

No, this is a different film, which will mostly come out next year.

Rohit Shetty recently said in an interview that he will be bringing out a standalone cop film on Deepika Padukone’s character Shakti Shetty. Are you involved in that project as well?

As of now, I have met sir only once after the release (of Singham Again), but we haven’t spoken anything on any future projects. But if there is a call from his side, I will definitely be happy to do that.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Bhushan Kumar blames “pre-commitments with OTT platforms and creative constraints” for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 vs Singham Again clash; says, “We consciously stepped into this situation”