The quirky comedy Toaster, premiering on Netflix today, has Rajkummar Rao playing a miser who is willing to go to any lengths to get back the toaster he had gifted at a wedding, which has now been called off. Also starring Sanya Malhotra and a strong ensemble cast — Abhishek Banerjee, Archana Puran Singh, Farah Khan — the film is directed by first-timer Vivek Daschaudhary. It marks the debut production of Rajkummar and his actor-wife Patralekhaa’s company KAMPA Films. We got talking to Rajkummar, Sanya, Patralekhaa and Vivek on Toaster, the comedy genre and what it feels like for Raj and Patra to be parents to five-month-old Parvati.

What is that one big idea about Toaster that made you sure you wanted to be a part of it in your respective capacities?

Rajkummar Rao: For me, it was the story... I found it very funny. Also, it is the first film from our production house (KAMPA Films) and I absolutely fell in love with the producer (looks at wife Patralekhaa)!

Sanya Malhotra: Apart from the story, for me, it was the team. When such people are attached to something, you know it has to be good.

Patralekhaa Paul: Toaster is a fun film. When you start watching it, you will realise that there is a universe that opens up, but it is definitely not a film that will alter your life! Raj and I were pretty sure that let us make films that we love watching. Raj read a page of the script and he told me it is a funny film. He sent it to me, and even I thought it was very funny. It is good that we started our production journey with a comedy. In that process, I learned how difficult it is actually to make a comedy and to make people laugh. I am happy this is my first film as producer and I hope it lands with everyone.

Vivek Daschaudhary: This is my first film, so I didn’t have many options to choose from! But the script really pulled me in. Even before I became a part of Toaster, Raj had told me that he was reading the script of a wacky film, that it was very different. God had his plans and I got to direct it and it is a great opportunity for me.

Raj and Sanya, you have both done comedy before, and very successfully so. Is there anything in Toaster that enabled you to tap into a different side of your comedic skills?

Rajkummar:Toaster has a very different story. Both Sanya and I play very different characters from what we have done so far, with the people we portray being put in some really weird circumstances. How they react to those circumstances is what brings out the comedy. The plot unfolds as chaos after chaos, there is one twist after another, and it is a lot of fun. The characters are lovable. My character, Ramakant, can sometimes be very irritating, but he is still lovable.
Sanya: I have realised that you can’t really plan comedy. You just have to be true to the character and the situation that you are in. It is, of course, easier when you have really good co-actors. I had so much fun with my character, Shilpa... there are so many things I did with her. She is a judo player, she likes to watch crime shows. I don’t know if these little things make her funny or not....
Rajkummar: Sanya, you are very funny in the film!

Vivek, what did Raj and Sanya bring to their respective roles?

Vivek: They are great actors, so they really got into the skin of their characters. Raj got Ramakant so well... whatever you see in the trailer is so believable. They made my job so much easier.

Raj, I know you aren’t a miser like Ramakant! But is there anything about him you feel a resonance with?

Raj: There is only one aspect of his that I could connect with and that is his love for his wife. He is the biggest miser around and can go to any extent to get his toaster back. But one thing that wouldn’t change about him is his love for his wife. Apart from that I am not at all like Ramakant. Like I would never take Patra to a langar if she says: “Aaj lunch pe chalte hai baahar” (like Ramakant does with Shilpa in Toaster).

Sanya, are you hooked to crime shows like Shilpa?

Sanya: I did watch some recently, but I realised that they are quite addictive and gripping. I can understand why Shilpa sits and watches crime shows all day long.

Patralekhaa, what was the biggest high as a first-time producer?

Patralekhaa: I really enjoyed the creative process. I made sure I was very involved. As an actor, one is only there during the shooting period and your work is over. But there is a whole arc to a film that you discover when you are a producer, whether it is pre-production, shoot, post-production.... It is a very long and tiring journey. You have to be present 24x7, everybody is looking at you. It has been a learning curve for me.

Is there any aspect of your life or personality that you are miserly with, or find difficult to part with?

Patralekhaa: Right now, my time is very important to me. I have a daughter (Parvati, five months old) at home. I have Toaster coming out and there is another film which is in the post-production stage. So time is something I am really miserly about.
Raj: Likewise, time is the most precious thing that we all have. It is also limited for all of us. I want to save it for the people I love.

Growing up, toasters have been such a big part of our mornings, and perhaps even now. Do you have a favourite memory associated with a toaster?

Patralekhaa: When I was in school, my mother would always give us toast with jam for breakfast. That is a very vivid memory I have.
Sanya: Even now, I use a toaster every morning. I have my toast with butter and jelly.
Vivek: I depend on a toaster every day, because I don’t like the tawa waala toast... I like mine to be crisp.

Raj and Patralekhaa, is there any aspect of parenthood that you were unprepared for but have grown to enjoy along the way?

Raj: I think we were unprepared for everything! We had no idea how to go about it. But it is the most beautiful thing that has happened to the two of us. We couldn’t have asked for anything better in life than Parvati. We feel blessed that we have somebody waiting for us at home. The feeling for me is that my heart is now beating outside my body.
Patralekhaa: I didn’t think I could have this kind of love for anyone in this world. I haven’t felt this wholesome before becoming a mother. It is the most beautiful feeling and I am living my best life right now.

My favourite quirky comedy film on OTT is... Tell t2@abp.in