“My romantic track in Dum Maaro Dum is with my gun” – Abhishek Bachchan

By Nikhil Ramsubramaniam -

April 14, 2011 - 3:48 PM IST

There is no denying the fact that Abhishek Bachchan completely gets into the skin of the character he portrays so much so that you end up leaving the auditorium remembering characters like the spirited Gurukant Desai (Guru), the violent Lallan Singh (Yuva), the fun loving Bunty (Bunty Aur Babli) or the intense Shankar Nagre (Sarkar Raaj). His latest film Dum Maaro Dum sees him portraying the character of a tough cop ACP- Vishnu Kamath who is a Man on a Mission. Sitting relaxed in the club lounge of a suburban hotel, Abhishek Bachchan chats up with Bollywood Hungama's Nikhil Ramsubramaniam on what makes Vishnu Kamath a special character, his friendship with Rohan Sippy, shooting in Goa, his singing escapades and his issues with the media. Toh Ho Jaayeâ€¦Thayn Thayn Dishkiyaoonâ€¦

“My romantic track in Dum Maaro Dum is with my gun” – Abhishek Bachchan

What was the first thing that attracted you to Dum Maaro Dum? Was it working with your buddy Rohan Sippy or the character of ACP Vishnu Kamath or the chance of partying in Goa?
It was ACP Vishnu Kamath and Rohan. Rohan has never asked me to do a film out of friendship. All the three films which I have done with him have been because the script attracted me. It's another thing that he just has to ask me and I'll be there for him, no questions asked. What I really liked about Dum Maaro Dum was Kamath. He is a really cool character to play. I love his attitude, his approach towards life, and his one-liners.

What I really liked about Dum Maaro Dum was Kamath. He is a really cool character to play. I love his attitude, his approach towards life, and his one-liners.

This is the 4th time you are playing an ACP after Zameen and the 2 Dhoom filmsâ€¦so how different is ACP Vishnu Kamath from the other cop characters you have portrayed?
Ohâ€¦totally different. His outlook in life is really different and much cooler. I like his wry sense of humour. He has a quick witted one liner for every situation. I also like the fact that he is a much layered character. There is a lot of hurt, rage, disappointment inside him that is dying to come out and yet he manages to hide it all with a wonderful smile and a great outlook. He is a no-nonsense guy and very straightforward. One dialogue of his from the film sums up his attitude which is 'Life Mein Tension Nahin Lene Kaâ€¦ Bas Dene Ka'.

You have worked with Bipasha Basu many times in the past. In this film, you once again re-unite with her though she is not paired opposite you. How has been the experience this time around?
Yea Bipasha and I have worked in quite a few films together. She is a wonderful co-star and has really excelled in this film. She has done some incredible work in the past but I seriously believe Dum Maaro Dum is by far her best performance till date.

Bipasha has done some incredible work in the past but I seriously believe Dum Maaro Dum is by far her best performance till date.

How was it working with fresh talent like Prateik and Rana Dagubatti?
This is Rana's second film and Prateik's third. What I really enjoyed about working with them, apart from the fact that they are really cool guys, is that they have a very fresh and unique approach to their craft which is very refreshing for me. I always like working with newer actors because it gives you a chance to imbibe and learn from them as well. They have a very definite approach to perform a scene and it's really nice to work with such new, young talent. They are great guys to hang out with and have become good friends ever since the shoot.

Bipasha is of course paired opposite Rana in the film. Does your character ACP Vishnu Kamath too have a romantic track to him?
Yesâ€¦There is a romantic track with my gun. That's why the song 'Thayn Thayn'. My co-star in the film is my pistol.

Coming to 'Thayn Thayn', it seems to have become a hot favourite. The last time you crooned for Rohan Sippy's Bluffmaster, it went on to become a cult classic song. Was singing 'Thayn Thayn' much easier?
Today technology has become so great that I am pretty comfortable singing. Moreover I knew Rohan is there to take care of me and he is not going to allow anything substandard to come out.

Today technology has become so great that I am pretty comfortable singing. Moreover I knew Rohan is there to take care of me and he is not going to allow anything substandard to come out.

Besides 'Thayn Thayn' too, the film has rocking soundtrack. How would you rate the overall music of the film?
I think all the tracks are awesome. Rohan's films have always had wonderful music. I still listen to the soundtrack of Kuch Naa Kaho and the song 'Achchi Lagti Ho' is one of my all time favourite songs. Bluffmaster had sensational music and now again with Dum Maaro Dum, the same trend continues. Pritam has come up with a wonderful album with a nice mix of songs. 'Jaana Hai' by Zubeen is a wonderful song. I love 'Mit Jaaye Gham', it really makes you wanna get up and dance and it's the song that all the clubs are playing. But if you ask me my favourite song, I am biased so I would say 'Thayn Thayn'. I am happy the songs are doing well and when people see the film, they will like it even more.

If you ask me my favourite song, I am biased so I would say 'Thayn Thayn'.

Most of the film has been shot in Goa which is one of the biggest party spots in the country. Was it difficult to focus on work in a place like Goa and that too when you have friends for company?
When you are working you are working, we were all very aware as professionals that we are there to make a movie. If you want to go and party and just have fun, then go on a holiday. Of course we did have our share of fun after pack up. It's the best place in the world to be after work. After 12-14 hours of shoot, we would just chill on the beach and have some interesting talk.

Your last few releases have for some reason not worked at the Box Office. Does that put additional pressure on you to deliver with your next release?
Noâ€¦I don't think so. It's exactly the same because you have worked equally hard on each film. Irrespective of whether my last film is a flop or a super-hit, I want my next film to perform well and that is always the case. Besides I don't understand what the media's obsession with solo films and ensemble films. A film is a film at the end of the day. The say 'My solo films haven't really worked.' I'd like somebody to clarify what is a solo film. They called Guru my Solo-hit, I fail to understand how is it a solo film when you have great actors like Madhavan and Mithunda. These are terms created by the media. The audience just wants to see a good film and get entertained and couldn't care less if it's a solo hero film or a multi-starrer.

I don't understand what the media's obsession with solo films and ensemble films. A film is a film at the end of the day.

The film is releasing bang in the middle of the cricketing frenzy courtesy the IPL, do you think it could affect the business of the film?
It's all by designâ€¦we decided to release our film in the middle of IPL because we are huge IPL fans. We thought that it's best to finish all post-production work etc. much before the IPL so that we can also enjoy the matches (laughs). On a more serious note, every year during the IPL, there has been a film which has released and gone on to become a Super-hit. Race released bang in the middle of the IPL and yet went on to become a Super hit. Even recently Tanu Weds Manu released right when the World Cup action started, yet it managed to do well at the Box Office. At the end of the day a good film is going to work and a bad film is not.

Finally what are some of your forthcoming films after Dum Maaro Dum?
Currently, I am shooting for my next film Players which is about 60% complete. We should finish shooting by July. Around August, I start shooting for Rohit Shetty's Bol Bachchan. Post that there is RGV's Department and Rajkumar Santoshi's Ladies And Gentlemen with Ash and I.