Q: Why three comedies in a row in Hindi?

Why move away from what I?ve been successful in doing? I?ve succeeded with my two other comedies, Hera Pheri and Hungama. So why not a third time? And I don?t have much competition in the comic arena. I strongly believe Hulchul will complete my hattrick of successful comedies. The original Malayalam film, Godfather, clicked. Since it was seen by a very small portion of the audience, why not take it to a larger audience?

Q: So is Hulchul inspired by Brando starrer, The Godfather?

To an extent. It?s about the clash between two clans in a village. I think The Godfather has been redesigned in every way possible. Even my Viraasat was a take on The Godfather. Hulchul is a humorous take on the theme. I?d call it a mixture of Viraasat and Hungama. In Hulchul, Amrish Puri plays Marlon Brando?s role. All the actors, whether it was Jackie Shroff or Suniel Shetty, agreed to do roles that they mightn?t have done otherwise, only because of their relations with me.

Q: And Akshaye Khanna?

I?m very insecure about heroes doing comedy. But I found that right sur in Akshaye. He had already passed the test in Hungama. And I was very sure how I?d get him to pull it off in Hulchul. And he did. As for Kareena, she?s the Goldie Hawn of my film. I feel it?s very difficult for female actors to do comedy. But she?s terrific at it. Her attitude is right for the film. I had offered her a role in Hungama also. Now in my new film with Salman, Kareena does a serious role of a doctor. It?s my take on One Flew Over The Cuckoo?s Nest.

Q: So how much of that film will you retain?

Not a single scene. I?ve just taken the spirit of One Flew?. Salman Khan?s bratty nature goes very well with the theme. He?s our ?Brat? Pitt, ha-ha. On December 26, I complete the film.

Q: Why are you shooting your new Hindi film in Chennai?

That?s because I?m still not comfortable in Mumbai. The stars are so sweet. They?ve agreed to come all the way. We don?t have a title yet. But we want to call it Rang. Though it?s a serious film there?s a lot of entertainment in it. It?ll be my hard-hitting film. I?m off South Indian films for the next three years. Things are going well for me in Hindi films. So why not try to make headway there?

Q: But aren?t you betraying your audience in the South?

Not really. I can go back any day I want. It?s my home after all. Not a problem at all. Besides the South audiences can watch my Hindi films. In Hindi cinema there are much more resources to make the product inviting. I?m doing two more Hindi films. One of them is a remake of my Malayalam film, Boeing Boeing, with Akshay Kumar. For the other project I?m keen on Hrithik Roshan.

Q: Hulchul is partly set in the village. Isn?t that a turn-off for the audience these days?

Nothing of the sort. Audiences want to see something different and interesting. You know, generally after a comedy the audience says, ?Yeah we laughed. But what else?? In Hulchul there?s a substantial story to back up the comedy.

SKJ