Desi-Box recently attended an exclusive Press conference and Q and A with the cast and director of the new Yash Raj Films release Mere Brother Ki Dulhan. British Actor Ameet Chana led the event which took place at the British Film Institute in London.
Bollywood beauty Katrina Kaif, Delhi Belly star Imran Khan and the pop sensation Ali Zafar all graced us with their presence alongside first time director of the film Ali Abbas.
The film is a refreshing love story that focuses on Luv Agnihotri’s (Ali Zafar) request to his younger brother Khush (Imran Khan), to find his perfect dulhan. Khush finds Dimple Dixit (Katrina Kaif), but he slowly realises that she is actually in love with him and he too has feelings for his brother’s soon to be bride.
In the film Katrina Kaif plays a brash and independent fun loving character. Katrina shared with us why she decided to do the film, she exclaimed Ali Abbas has been a dear friend for the last few years and he says he came up with a character with me in mind. When I read the script I thought the character was mad and slightly crazy. But I thought this was a chance to break away from the stereotype from Hindi cinema; the character is more like a damsel causing distress rather than a damsel in distress.
Ali Zafar revealed that he found out about the film due to the casting director Shanoo Sharma. She is not only the casting director for Yash Raj films but was also the casting director of his first film Tere Bin Laden. When told about the project Ali revealed that the director narrated the script and he was on board. He also pointed out that when choosing a film, he does not decide on the basis of whether it is a commercial or art house film but on the soul basis of how good the script itself is.
When the director Ali Abbas was asked how the process of him directing his first film came about he shared that it was easier than expected. I’ve worked as a first Assistant Director on New York, Tashaan, Jhoom Barbar Jhoom. Being with Yash Raj for four and half years, Aditya Chopra has trusted me with his films. I took the script to him and he loved it. He said we can definitely make it into a film. He loved that it had original characters but still had Yash Raj values at its core.
He told us that the mains inspiration for the film was the matrimonial adverts that are placed in Indian newspapers if an individual is struggling to find their groom or bride. He shared that there is a lot of colour in these adverts and I believe this is a true representation of India. And a story revolving around finding the ideal Indian bride would definitely entertain India.
Ali also highlighted the quick turnaround of the film and his surprise that everyone came on board so quickly. From when he finished writing the script to when the film began its shooting schedule, it only took less than a month and a half.
Imran Khan recalled that most of the films he has featured in were directed by first time directors. He went on to say that he noticed a trend in that many put themselves and their friends and family into the characters of their film. Further to this he stated that the film is heavily inspired by the director himself.
Ameet asked Katrina about her reasoning for the roles she has played in her recent films; in that she has played characters in which she shows more natural beauty and more simplistic in the look rather than the overly done Bollywood look. Katrina replied these are the films that were being offered to me, and coincidently they attracted me to work on the film and I actually felt that I connected with the role. I believe when choosing a role the idea is to find a character that strikes a balance one that appeals to masses of the country but also easily able to relate to.
Ali Zafar told us that he found the transition from making music videos to film very exciting and thrilling. He went on to say that acting helps a singer and singing helps the acting. When an actor is doing his dialogue there is almost a certain scale and way it has to be said, similar to when singing a song.
The director sang high praises of the Pakistani singer in stating that the most important thing for an actor is to be convincing while he is singing, and in traditional Indian films where an actor has to sing he has to emote those lines. If you see in all of his music videos he commands the screen so strongly that it feels that he such a polished actor.
The characters that Imran Khan has played recently, ranging from I Hate Luv stories to Dehli Belly have seen him in a comedic light rather than playing serious and dramatic roles. Imran said his reason for doing such roles is that he finds doing comedy films tremendously enjoyable as an actor and viewer. It’s hard to do good comedy and to make something funny is inspiring.
Ali Zafar ended the conference by highlighting that he had a great time making the film. We worked as friends, and I couldn’t have asked for better co-stars. They were fun, entertaining, supportive and guided me. I am thankful to them and I would like to thank Ali Abbas for the opprunity to be part of such a great film.
Mere Brother Ki Dulhan is out now nationwide.
By Dheeraj