I have done off beat movies but in comedy Bajatey Raho is the first – Tusshar Kapoor

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart… Tusshar Kapoor has a bone to pick today at the multiplexes and the single screens. Yes, all the funny bones. But every time I meet Tusshar at his beautiful bungalow, I want to make him transform into any of his mad characters from at least one of his comedies. Having played every kind of comedy the Hindi language has to offer, Tusshar is one such actor who has done it all with a straight face. So when I meet him in person, he isn't different. More like a stand up but with impeccable timing that can make you crack up in seconds. For where this Kapoor has reached in his life isn't a fairy tale ride. He's worked his way to the top and created a niche for himself as an actor with varied personality. So clearly, life's not been a laugh for Tusshar but I do hope he laughs his way to the audience's heart with Bajatey Raho.

You are one of the many in the company of the mad mummyji, Dolly Ahluwalia. How madder did she get?
I just loved the idea of being in the company of this warm sweet mummyji who has this naughty side to her. She has epitomized it so well in Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana and Vicky Donor. Bajatey Raho is best suited to her. It's a novelty to see a senior citizen with young people like us in a con job (laughs). Dollyji is going to be loved by all yet again.

You were pitted against the best in comedy – Ranvir and Vinay. Did you feel the odd one out?
I never saw Vinay and Ranvir as actors who are great in comedy. I saw them as actors who are very much in their realistic space. They are a thorough natural. I have done a few off beat movies like Gayab and Shor In The City, etc. But in the comic space, Bajatey Raho is the first one. Sashant has the tuning with Ranvir and Vinay because of Dasvidaniya, Chalo Dilli and The Great Indian Comedy Show. I felt like an outsider for one or two days but then the talent took over.

You've got comedy movies than any other actor of your experience. Nicely planned.
There is no strategy as such to only do comedy. I have mixed it up pretty well in the last couple of years if you track my biography. I don't plan. I want to do good movies. But yes, I don't want to keep doing the same stuff. Bajatey Raho is not the regular massy comedy. It's a mix of art and commerce. It's smart, sensible and humorous.

How did Bajatey Raho fall in your lap?
I always wanted to work with Sashant after Chalo Dilli. Some common friends of mine, who were the producers of Hum Tum Aur Shabana were in touch with Sashant. They facilitated the initial part of the project. Then the script was developed, Ranvir and Vinay came in and Eros too. I was the first one to express the desire to work with the director and we were so backed well by good actors and studio. I've never initiated a project and Bajatey Raho is the first one. My desire to work with Sashant Shah came true.

Would you call any director if you like his work and express your desire to work with him?
Times are changing. If I like a movie that's directed by someone I will call him and express my desire to work with him. Why not? But it can't happen with all the movies I like. I want to feel a sense of comfort with the director. It depends on the kind of vibe. I didn't know Sashant but I felt a good vibe when I met him and the eagerness to work with each other was mutual.

You top three comic actors and the three comic movies you would've loved to be a part of.
My favorite actors who've got the funny bone up their sleeve are Mehmood saab, Kader Khan and I think Sridevi, and my favorite comic movies I would've loved to be a part of are Angoor, Munnabhai MBBS and Khosla Ka Ghosla. Actually, let me spill the beans here – I was offered Khosla Ka Ghosla.

Ok, you need to spill some more. What happened?
I was offered Khosla Ka Ghosla. Dibakar Banerjee told me when I met him recently that he had read me the script. I was offered the role of Praveen Dabbas. But honestly, the film was all about Anupam Kher and Boman Irani. Though I was in two minds whether to do it or not.

Kader Khan, Govinda, Satish Kaushik, Shakti Kapoor, etc did a lot of their scenes impromptu. Do you guys also come across such madness?
Sometimes it happens with some actors. Akshay Kumar does it quite often. I am a method actor and a director's actor. I would rather contribute in script doctoring, like a birds eye view of the entire film – like the climax, intermission, etc. In such departments I am good.

In days when the first three days decide the movie's fate. How do you think Bajatey Raho will do at the B.O?
Bajatey Raho is coming with a limited release. But such a niche movie depends a lot on word of mouth. We don't flood with prints in the initial week. It's not clever business. Rather wait and see the opening weekend and then pump it up. It's a smart strategy. The collections sustain that way. You need a solid plan.

I want to get back to Dollyji. Is she the new Aruna Irani?
(Laughs) Arunaji started very young from Bobby. Then she played some negative shades but I understand where you're coming from. Arunaji did a lot of comedy too. Honestly, Dollyji has created a slot for herself. She's done real characters. She can also do grey shades I'm sure. She's from Chandigarh and her humor is so different to ours. The madness we do in the promotions, Dollyji is the most quiet. That's how she is off camera. She is a chilled out person and never judgemental.

Article written by staff at Bollywood Hungama. Read more