Anubhav Sinha on Article 15: Ayushmann Khurrana checked all the boxes
Himesh MankadHimesh Mankad / Updated: Jun 20, 2019, 09:29 IST
Anubhav Sinha makes a case for his choice of actor to lead his next directorial, reveals that his reunion project with Taapsee Pannu is based in Delhi and will take off by August-end and explains why it is a good time for films of all kind
Less than a year after Mulk, which narrated the tale of a Muslim family trying to reclaim its lost honour, Anubhav Sinha's next revolves around Article 15 of the Indian Constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on caste, creed, sex, religion, race or place of birth. While his previous film featuring Taapsee Pannu and Rishi Kapoor was more of an underdog which surprised the audience, his next with Ayushmann Khurrana is keenly awaited. "It's fantastic to know that people are waiting to watch this film. But there is also the pressure to deliver. I received more love for Mulk than all my previous films and music videos put together. Article 15 is a film I am proud of," the director says.
Ayushmann Khurrana with co-star Manoj Pahwa in Article 15;
He goes on to reveal that of late, news items around the subject had been bothering him. "I wrote the first draft of the film in January 2017. Then, I met writer Gaurav Solanki. We discussed the subject, read a lot of books, spoke to social activists and journalists. That's how things fell into place," he says, adding that he made it for the country's youth.
While admitting that it was one of the reasons for casting Ayushmann Khurrana as the lead, Anubhav explains, "There were more important reasons as well. I needed a fantastic actor, more importantly, someone who believed in the subject and was willing to walk that extra mile with me. Ayushmann checked all the boxes."
The filmmaker-actor duo's association had begun with a love story but by his own admission, Ayushmann was keener on doing a hard-hitting film. "I wanted him to play an intense part in a love story. The film I was planning with him was some sort of an anthology in a space that he has not done before," he says, adding that he would will revisit the anthology film someday. "I love that script and it requires five actors. So, it's a tough one to cast."
Mulk had faced opposition from some fringe groups given its subject. Does he anticipate similar reactions to Article 15? "When you talk about a sensitive subject, some people will disagree with you, while some others will react more violently than others. That shouldn't make you apprehensive," he asserts.
He remains non-committal on the topic of his favourite genre. "All the films I have made were challenging. I worked for roughly four-five years on Ra.One, where I was dealing with the pressure of working with the biggest star (Shah Rukh Khan) in the world. So much was expected of that film. That said, I don't think I can call one film more challenging than the rest," he smiles. That brings one to the fact that since the superhero film, Anubhav hasn't attempted another big budget entertainer. "Nothing keeps me away from them," he clarifies, adding, "If I get excited by a film that's big budgeted, then why would I not do it? Strangely, I am working on two of my next films and none of them are in that space. If I want to do an out-and-out entertainer, I will go for it."
Next up for the director is a reunion with his Mulk leading lady Taapsee Pannu. "It is titled Thappad, but I may change it. It goes on the floors by mid-August and it's a topical film based in Delhi." However, before he moves on to the film, he would have to film a few patch-work scenes in another directorial, Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai. "I have finished editing the film, but two-three days of shooting remains. It's a mad film, in a new kind of space. We will figure out a date soon; release dates have become as important as casting," he points out.
In 2001, Anubhav made his directorial debut with Tum Bin and followed it up with potboilers like Cash, Dus and Tathastu. Has the definition of cinema changed for him over the years? "I look at it differently. There are films that are designed to be wonderful at the box office while others are designed to be just wonderful. We are living in in a time when, thankfully, even the latter is doing well at the box office. It's not important to design films for money because every film finds its audience," he states.
Over the years, he has been vocal about his dream of working with Amitabh Bachchan. Ask him if it is close to being realised and he reveals, "Unfortunately, nothing is happening on that front as I don't feel I have a script worthy of him. The day I find it, I will fall at his feet and convince him to do a film with me. He has done it all in his career," the director says.
I worked for roughly fourfive years on Ra.One... so much was expected of that film. That said, I don't think I can call one film more challenging than the rest
— Anubhav Sinha
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