“I am now purposely picking different genres” – Rajniesh Duggal

By Devansh Patel -

August 12, 2011 - 3:27 AM IST

If you thought Rajniesh Duggal is taking baby steps in our Bolly land then you need to re-think. It's another thing that he has deliberately taken up offers in fewer films because he wants to do different genres but if you look at the resume of Rajniesh, you will find that his love for being in front of the camera goes back a long way. From the stretched ramp to the stretched white screen, Duggal's really looking forward to his most talked about and ambitious film Dangerous Ishq with Karisma Kapoor who makes a comeback of sorts in Hindi films. I met the actor at Costa for a quick round up of his two year old film Phirr that's out of the can, finally! The actor is excited and sports a stretched smile on his face as he sips his cold coffee and takes me back in what he calls 'The future's nothing but the Past'. Presenting you, the 'complete man' Rajniesh Duggal.

"I am now purposely picking different genres"
Yes, you can say that I am a 'Complete Man' because Phirr is releasing after two years. But honestly, the last couple of years have taught me a lot. The way 1920 performed at the box office was amazing and opened a lot of acting offers for me. But I am now purposely picking different genres. My first was a horror, next is a comedy and Phirr is a romantic thriller.

"It could be that I killed my wife in the film; it could be that Adah's character may have done something"
In Phirr, the story is such that you cannot judge what is going to happen next. The core of suspense is that you should not be able to judge it. It could be that I killed my wife in the film; it could be that Adah's character may have done something or it could be something so shocking that you wouldn't have thought in your wildest dreams.

“I am now purposely picking different genres” – Rajniesh Duggal

"In the next three to four years the cards are going to open up and I will know where I stand"
I want to take big steps in Bollywood but I am carefully doing it now. As long as I am moving in the right direction I am fine. The kind of films I'm doing or getting is taking me in that direction. In the next three to four years, the cards are going to open up and I will know where I stand.

"Roshni and I are from Delhi and you know that Delhiites get along in a second"
Roshni and I are both from Delhi and both are Punjabis. We got along very well from the day one. She has done a lot of shows, hosted many of them, etc. So she is confident on facing the camera. We have a romantic track in the film and to do that was easy because we shared a great rapport with each other on and off the sets.

"Phirr is a film that will ensure you entertainment even if you watch it on the television a few months later"
Phirr is a film that will ensure you entertainment even if you watch it on the television a few months later or a few years later. The film is relatable because Phirr isn't set in any time period. Right from the clothing to the characters everything is relevant in today's day and age.

"I am paired opposite Tanisha in Be Careful. It's a laugh riot"
Be Careful is a laugh riot and a full on comedy film. It's about these two husbands who want to have a laugh and a lot of fun outside their marital life. I am paired opposite Tanisha in the film. Both men plan in such a way that they land up going to Bangkok. Be Careful might see an October 2011 release.

"I loved Karisma in Zubeida, Shakti and Fiza"
I'd love to do a love story now. I think I am perfectly ready to do one. Actually I am going to do one called Dangerous Ishq opposite Karisma Kapoor. It's a 3D film. The story goes back five times, meaning you will see five different Rajniesh's and Karisma's. Guess what? They are lovers in every life they are born. I have been a big fan of Karisma. I loved her in Zubeida, Shakti and Fiza. I start shooting for Dangerous Ishq from September 15.

"Adah is too smart and has got a great sense of humour"
The future's nothing but the past again. So sitting in New Castle on the docks, Adah would order someone to get a burger 50 miles away (laughs). Adah is a bit mad in a good way. She is too smart and has got a great sense of humour. Adah has proved in her first film what talent means and she has a long and a bright future ahead of her.

"I am doing Dev Maya directed by Rajkumar Dahima that's a romantic drama"
I am doing serious romantic film called Dev Maya directed by Rajkumar Dahima who was Aziz Mirza's assistant. He then went to the Himalayas for a few years and has now come back to making films. I don't know whether he has turned into a 'hippy' (laughs). It's too early to talk about the film.