Their film Dhokha Round D Corner is now playing in cinemas, and the team — actors R. Madhavan, Aparshakti Khurana, Darshan Kumaar and newcomer Khushali Kumar, along with director Kookie Gulati — were in Kolkata last week to promote their thriller that’s drawing a steady crowd. The Telegraph caught up with the team at Aqua at The Park.
At a time when trailers reveal almost everything about a film, the trailer of Dhokha Round D Corner builds just the right amount of curiosity and intrigue. The characters are ambiguous and so are the situations. Was that one of the main reasons that made you sign on? What were the other hooks?
Aparshakti Khurana: When the first narration happened — it was a mooh zubaani narration for an hour-and-a-half — I didn’t feel that the script lacked conviction at any point. There was a lovely flow. There was no reason for me to not do the film. We shot this film during Covid and we were all in one space. We had a lot of distractions... every third day we had to do a Covid test.... You guys remember? (Looks at his co-stars)
R. Madhavan: Oh my nose just did a somersault! (Everyone laughs) We were just coming out of the first lockdown and I speak for all of us when I say that we were desperate to get back to work. Khushali and I have been planning to work together for many years now and I feel flattered that she and her mother chose me. This is a film with all the trappings of a thriller... I hadn’t done one after 13B.
And then I met the rest of the team — Kookie (Gulati, director), Aparshakti and Darshan — who are stupendous people to work with. This was a set where no one had any hang-ups, no one came to set late to show who is bigger... there was enthusiasm and attachment to everyone’s respective characters and the single-minded intent to deliver. For me, this was one of the main reasons to say ‘yes’. And I was proven right many times over during the making of this film.
The trailer has been cut brilliantly. I am someone who is always very anxious about the release of my films... that’s how I deal with my insecurities...
While doing this film, I have had such amazing talents around me that I have felt that I am in a school of acting.They have so much experience and are always inspirational on set, and even off it. Every day on set, I learnt from each one of them. Maddy sir (R. Madhavan), Apar (Aparshakti Khurana ) and Darshan (Kumaar) bring an entire range of acting to the film, collectively and individually. I didn’t want the film to end... mujhe laga ki main aur shoot karti rahoon! — KHUSHALI KUMAR
How do you still have insecurities?
Madhavan: Oh my God! It’s getting worse by the day!
Aparshakti: Kya baat kar rahein ho, sir?! Aapke aankhon mein toh itna sukoon dikhta hain!
Madhavan: Woh isliye kyunki main achhha actor hoon! (Everyone laughs) The nervousness has got horrible with time. Every time I go on set now — whether it has been for Decoupled or Rocketry or Dhokha — I look very confident on the outside, but I keep thinking, ‘Ab sabko pata chal jayega ki mujhe acting nahin aati hain!’ I feel very naked on set... I feel I have forgotten to wear clothes! My assistants know this very well. They are like, ‘Let him work on this and earn some money because after this he won’t get to do any more projects!’
Kookie, what was the toughest bit to pull off in the middle of Covid?
Kookie Gulati: Although we were all shooting mostly in one house, there were a lot of protocols to be followed. But my cast was brilliant and the whole cast and actors came together and made it happen. Despite everything going wrong in the world at that time, just to be able to come on set every day and be positive, was a big deal.
I read the script in one go... it was that engaging! It was so intriguing that I kept thinking about it even after I had finished reading the script. I read it again because every character has a lot of layers and I knew I had to be a part of it because it’s a very unique film. Everyone is so ambiguous... you can’t tell who is right and who is wrong.That’s the beauty of the film — DARSHAN KUMAAR
Is there a recent thriller that kept you hooked till the end?
Madhavan: That would have to be Manifest. I watched all three seasons at a go... it’s phenomenal!
Aparshakti: Till recently, I had never been a fan of suspense thrillers. It was always about watching comedy films for me. But now I am majorly watching true-crime documentaries. Inventing Anna is something I enjoyed a lot. I also watched the one with the Burari murder case (House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths) which I liked.
For all of us growing up in the ’90s, Madhavan was a huge crush, even among some men. Apar, were you a Maddy fanboy too?
Madhavan: Oh, my wife should hear this!
Aparshakti: Just the other day I was talking about Banegi Apni Baat (starring Madhavan) with someone. I was just seven when it came out, but when I was 14, I watched it, along with a whole lot of other shows. The first sargam that I learnt on the keyboard was the Banegi Apni Baat signature tune.
Madhavan: Main itna puraana hoon?! Oh my God! (Everyone laughs)
Maddy, when are you dropping the next thirst trap picture on your Instagram?
Madhavan: My wife has forbidden me from doing so anymore. She told me, ‘Behave your age!’
Pictures: B. Halder