“Slapstick is the cheapest way to make people laugh” – Vipul Shah

November 4, 2010 - 1:14 PM IST

Action Replayy releases in a few hours from now and Vipul Shah is an anxious man. This is one film where he has spent maximum effort, right from pre-production to actual shooting and then post-production. As his retro outing gets readied for its theatrical release all over the globe, Vipul gets talking to Joginder Tuteja.

“Slapstick is the cheapest way to make people laugh” – Vipul Shah

Akshay Kumar repeats his comedy act?

To be very honest, in Action Replayy there is ample dose of humour. It was a challenge for me as a writer and the director to give Akshay and Aishwarya a style of performance and material where humour is not a typical no-brainer. This was the discussion that we had before we started shooting. In fact the kind of moments that have been injected in the narrative of Action Replayy, audience will stand up, notice and comment that Akshay has never made them laugh like this ever before. He is generally associated with high energy humour. However, in case of Action Replayy, it will seem totally effortless. Those who have seen the film acknowledge that this is a new style of humour that we have brought on table. I find it pretty rewarding that we have got what we had set out for.

You don't need slapstick to make people laugh

Action Replayy - Slapstick? Sophisticated?

Let me state it on record again - You don't need slapstick to make people laugh. In fact I find slapstick as the cheapest way to make people laugh. Yes, there was slapstick done by Charlie Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy as well; I am not against it. However, the writing there was fantastic. These were men who were great because at the end of slapstick, they got an emotional angle in the end as well. There has to be some great depth after all. I didn't need any slapstick in Action Replayy because a) my film has a different look and b) the screenplay didn't require slapstick humour. The humour that we see in Action Replayy is very straight and nice.

You would be amazed with Akshay's three looks in the film

Just the look? Or beyond?

Yes, retro feel of the film means that look plays an important part in Action Replayy. However, what was equally important was to make Akshay and Aishwarya act like never before. They had to be totally different from before. In fact as for the look, you would be amazed with Akshay's three looks in the film. (Laughs) I remember that when Akshay's old look was leaked out first, some started speculating that our film was a copy of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. We knew the truth and kept quiet. Now when Akshay's 'two protruding teeth' look is out, people have been further surprised. Tell me which other actor has dared to don such a look ever for a long duration in a film? Akshay has extended his limits here.

Most authentic retro film till date? A valid claim?

There have been retro films that have been made in the past. For all their worth, they have taken a different route in their overall presentation. I went to another extreme to get my presentation in place. People have called their films retro; you have to see Action Replayy to see how I call my film retro. All I can see is that to achieve this look for each and every frame of the film was some hard work for sure.

The innocence?

Action Replayy is a romantic film where I have got the whole culture of 70s that I always wanted to capture. There is this nice-n-pure innocent romance which is very trendy to look at and pure at heart. Audience can expect some really nice romantic moments with Akshay and Ash falling in love and taking it on from there like never before.

Action Replayy is a romantic film where I have got the whole culture of 70s that I always wanted to capture

Why Aditya?
Aditya Roy Kapoor plays a 20 something son of Akshay and Ash and has quite a lot of screen time in the film. Many people ask me that why was he chosen for such an important role in the film. My thought behind this is that I wanted a young boy who could look like their friend as well when he went in the past and tried to bring them together. This entire family combination was very important for me to achieve. I couldn't see anyone else but Aditya play this role.

Why Action Replayy this Diwali?

On Diwali, you really want to go to a cinema hall with the entire family and have a fun experience. You are not looking only for some humour but also songs, romance and other elements that would make you happier on this festive occasion. Diwali is an absolutely perfect time for you to go and watch Action Replayy.