Krushna Abhishek, Rajniesh Duggall and Mukul Dev have come together for the first time in director Vinod Tiwari’s comedy drama Teri Bhabhi Hai Pagle. Krushna suggested the title for the film slated for release next week. “Yes, I suggested it. Earlier the film was titled Love in Goa. There was a serial on Sab TV titled Woh Teri Bhabhi Hai Pagle; I was inspired by that. The film is not similar to the serial but we changed the title and used it,” he says.
The film, he says, is a slapstick comedy, and it is a film within a film. “Dev, Raj and Aru Bhai fall in love with the same girl. Dev (Rajniesh) wants to direct a film. He is in love with a girl and Raj (my character) is a superstar who wants to make a film and suggests Dev to direct the film. They decide to shoot in Goa. Raj suggests they take Nazia Hussan as the heroine of the film who is also Dev’s girlfriend. Dev is happy that he will get to romance Nazia.
Unfortunately, Raj falls in love with Nazia. To sort out the situation, Dev invites his financier Aru Bhai played by Mukul Dev and who also is a don in the film. Aru Bhai arrives and he too falls in love with a girl. Trouble and confusion ensue when Aru Bhai’s wife (Deepshikha) finds out about this and lands on the movie’s sets.”
Mukul says, “As the title suggests, the film is a love quadrangle. There are many hilarious situations in the movie. I play a don in the film but yet he’s an endearing character. He does not fear the police as much as he fears his wife.”
The actors say working with a debutant director is inspiring as they come with greater vision. “New directors come with great scripts and ideas, and are so good in their work. I love doing comedy films and a thriller or a horror which is different from my genre. People don’t offer me such roles but they think I can do only comedy. I love working with such new directors,” says Krushna.
Mukul adds, “I was sceptical in the beginning. He (Tiwari) had great actors and each one of us is known for our individuality in work. He had won half the battle there. He trusted all of us. He guided us with the scenes but he gave us freedom to improvise. He’s an intelligent director. As the film progresses the actors take inputs from the director. His script was great.”
All the three have equal footage in the film. Krushna says competition does not exist among them. “We don’t fight or argue. Usually, heroines have problems with each other over their costumes or roles, we were all on the same page. I have three songs in the film; what more do I ask for? You should ask the others.”
Mukul is all praise for his co-stars. “Krushna works hard on his role. Rajneish is a handsome boy and he’s done a lot of films and modelling. They are fun to work with. Govinda is one such actor. He’s so spontaneous that he surprises you. So are Krushna and Rajniesh. It is competitive to share screen space but you should never undermine them. I enjoy working with such actors.”
Right now Krushna is busy with TV as well as films. “I just finished shooting for my wife Karishma’s film. She has written and will turn director with this film and my brother Rishabh is going to be launched in it. It’s a thriller with a thin line of emotion, and I’m playing Samay (time) in the film and I’ve an interesting role. It’s almost complete. We shot in Greece recently.”
Mukul on the other hand is busy writing scripts besides acting. “My first film Omerta as a writer was appreciated by everyone. I am working with like-minded directors. I just finished writing my second script, a hard hitting subject. I have approached actor Purab Kohli to direct it. I also plan to direct now. I would love to work with actors like Rajkummar Rao and Manoj Bajpayee,” he concludes.