While many newcomers in Bollywood would gladly accept the ‘chocolate boy’ tag, Girish Kumar, who made his debut in Ramaiyya Vastavaiya is not one of them.
While many newcomers in Bollywood would gladly accept the ‘chocolate boy’ tag, Girish Kumar, who made his debut in Ramaiyya Vastavaiya is not one of them. The actor, who will soon be seen after a long gap in Vaibhav Misra’s upcoming rom-com Loveshhuda came down along with his co-star and Miss India Navneet Dhillon for a chat at The Asian Age office. Excerpts from the interview:
Do you think there are not enough established writers in Bollywood Girish: Definitely. In our industry, writers are not paid well. Even my contemporaries think so. I feel people should give more credit to the writers because ultimately that’s going to come on screen. For me, the script is the Bible. If that is not going to be right, nothing is going to be right. I met Parichay in a club by chance, who did music for Loveshhuda.
Navneet: I come from Patiala, which is considered to be a small town. I have met so many people with such good stories and scripts but they don’t know how to get here. They aspire to do something but they don’t have the right sources or contacts. My choreographer Imran thanked me for taking him to the Tips office. For many people, entering the Tips office is a big deal.
How did Loveshhuda happen for you both Navneet: I went to the Tips office and met the director Vaibhav. He narrated the story and I could connect to the character so much. My character Pooja doesn’t regret anything that she does. The way Vaibhav narrated the story was amazing. I said yes in a second.
Girish: After my first film, I wanted to do a film outside my own ‘camp’. I took some time to believe in the script. One day, Vijay Galani who is a close family friend came to me and discussed the idea. He narrated the story along with the director Vaibhav and I was so impressed.
Did you both connect instantly Navneet: We did couple of workshops with Atul Mongia then we did a lot of readings with Vaibhav. Girish: I think we had chemistry between us, but needed to find it. These workshops helped a lot. I also feel that the director too has a role to play in creating the chemistry.
How did you react to the idea of the one night stand when you were narrated the film’s script Girish: There are a few realities which we have to accept. In the trailer, we have shown that it’s a love story which starts from the bed. It is very important for people to know that it is not just about one night stands.
Have you had any one night stands in real life Girish: My mother reads The Asian Age and Deccan Chronicle! Let my life as a single be a secret! [Laughs] Navneet: My parents also stay in Mumbai and honestly, nothing like this has ever happened to me.
Navneet, was it easy for you to get Loveshhuda after bagging a beauty pageant title Navneet: I met the right kind of people in the right way... I am still not with any agency. I am able to do my own work. When I won Miss India, a lot of people approached me by themselves. Director Rajkumar Santoshi himself approached me for his film. I believe that beauty pageants really help you to connect with people in Bollywood.
Girish: I feel winning the title of Miss India is also not easy. Maybe her ultimate journey to becoming an actor is easy but getting into modelling as a stepping stone isn’t easy. Did you have any issues with getting the Censor Board’s certification for the film Girish: Well, they had an issue with the word ‘bed’ in the teaser. So, we changed it to ‘room’. We love our censors. The teaser got anU/A certificate. Loveshhuda is not a film like Hate Story, what we show in the teaser will be seen in the film as well.
What do you hope the audience takes away from Loveshhuda Navneet: I think people will love the film. It is a fun, youthful film. Girish: The funny thing is, when people in the ’50s got married without knowing each other and made love, it was okay. But when two people who know each other make love (today), it is not okay. (Those relationships) also started off as one night stands, albeit with the tag of marriage. This is a very different love story. There is no serious messaging in the film though; everyone will relate to it. There is something beautiful about it.
