“FKS is niche but as entertaining as any commercial cinema” – Sharman: Part 1

By Devansh Patel -

June 14, 2012 - 4:01 PM IST

In person, Sharman Joshi is everything you'd expect him to be - quiet, shy, no starry attitude, no ego and no tantrum. Still, what

“FKS is niche but as entertaining as any commercial cinema” – Sharman: Part 1

strikes you first is his infectious humility and fervour. On arrival at his apartment in Bandra, I instantly get drawn into the surroundings. It's an open space

with minimal furniture. All woody with a beautiful painting that doesn't miss your eye. Sharman quickly asks me my preference - 'tea, coffee or anything you'd

like to drink?' I asked for a chilled 'nimboo-paani' (lemonade) and sat on the wooden window seating, slightly above the floor, to be in a more relaxed state of

mind. At a one hand distance, Sharman too looked in tranquillity. I was under the impression that the day would've gone at a lightening pace, considering the

fact that I had come to interview the actor for Ferrari Ki Sawaari, the proceeding would've gone at a 'vroom vroom' speed. But we took a breather. The

interview lasted for almost 40 minutes. It was like a Ferrari on a long deserted road...there was no need for speed here. With Joshi in the driver's seat, I

fasten my seat belt and off we head on a path filled with movies, his mission and his madness in this Part 1 special on Ferrari Ki Sawaari.

"I am not willing to compromise, no matter how much time it takes for me to be a part of successful movies"
Yes, it is a conscious decision on my part that I do few movies that are meaningful and yet entertaining. Quality cinema has to be given out. Having said that

there is always a fear of falling but then I like to rise again too. I want to be a part of the greatest films ever made and at least the effort is seen. I am trying.

Let's see where my dreams take me. But all these things take some time. I am not willing to compromise, no matter how much time it takes for me to be a part

of successful movies.

"I don't want to challenge anyone's intellect as an actor. I want to entertain them"
The thumb rule for me as an actor is that I want to be a part of a film that is entertaining. There has to be out-of-the-box idea, it can have a social message but

overall it has to be purely entertaining. Allah Ke Bandey was a gritty cinema. We had worked on the entertainment factor but sadly it didn't work. But

that won't stop me from being a part of such cinema in the future. Sharman Joshi isn't a radically different actor from others. I don't want to challenge

anyone's intellect as an actor. I will never be a part of cinema that only I will watch sitting in one corner of my room.

"I hope to own a Ferrari after the super success of Ferrari Ki Sawaari"
Our commitment towards Ferrari was to take utmost care of it because it was Sachin Tendulkar's Ferrari that was given to him by Michael Schumacher and

later Sachin had sold it to a businessman in Surat. On Sachin's request we got the Ferrari. At one point of time I couldn't resist and I clocked 200km/ph. We

were on a road that allowed us that speed. Ferrari is not a car, it's a Ferrari and four generations have loved this beauty. It's only when you sit on the driver's

seat you come to know that it only leaps once you turn on the ignition. I hope to own one after the super success of Ferrari Ki Sawaari (laughs).

"Vidhu Vinod Chopra Films are going to produce cinema that will match world cinema in coming years"
The principles and philosophy that Vidhu Vinod Chopra Films follow is beyond anyone's imagination. They are so much ahead and evolved. They are going to

produce cinema that will match world cinema in the coming years and I mean it. We will be proud Indians then.

"After my audition, I went to meet Vidhu in L.A. only to know whether he liked it or not"
I had auditioned almost thirty times and I had loved the part. After some time Rajesh Mapuskar was convinced and wanted me to play it. But he wanted to be

doubly sure. I was more than happy to prove myself worthy of the part. I did that several times over. Finally one audition was right. At that time Vidhu Vinod

Chopra was in L.A and he had received my audition from Rajesh on an email. Vidhu was auditioning some actors in L.A then and told me that he had loved my

audition. He added, 'I will recommend you to Rajesh.' That's all he said. I went back disappointed but I could sense it that he wanted me badly for the film. I

came back and then I got to know Vidhu had fired Rajesh. The next thing I know I was in the film. But then we all joked about it as it happened in a funny

manner.

"The responsible people at Lords saw our commitment to the film, read the script and thought it could possibly inspire a lot of youngsters"
Ferrari Ki Sawaari is the first film to be shot in Lords, the Mecca of Cricket. Unfortunately, I wasn't there in that schedule but I've seen the rushes of

it. They allowed us to shoot around the ground. But it was a long struggle. They saw our commitment to the film, read the script and thought it could possibly

inspire a lot of youngsters. Our production went with seven member crew and were only allowed half hour of time in which they wrapped up everything.

"Ferrari Ki Sawaari is a niche film but as entertaining as any commercial cinema"
Ferrari Ki Sawaari is a niche film but as entertaining as any commercial cinema. It's a concept never made before on celluloid but it will appeal to a six

year old and to a sixty year old too. That's the good part about the script. There are so many films based on a lower middle class family's aspirations and

comparisons to Do Dooni Chaar will be made but then again it's chalk and cheese. As an actor I have done many comedy movies but this one's going to

be poles apart. Humour in Ferrari Ki Sawaari comes not only from me but even subtle situations that hold you as an audience.

Watch this space for part 2 of interview with Sharman Joshi

Watch Promo: Ferrari Ki Sawaari