In the successful Ek Villain and his Marathi debut Lai Bhari, Ritesh Dekhmukh played serious roles, but he is back to his comic home ground with Karan Anshuman’s satirical drama Bangistan. Ritesh talks about doing the issue-based satirical comedy, his son Riaan and why he wants wife Genelia to return to films.
How did you react when you heard the name Bangistan?
How? Why? Where? Pulkit Samrat and I were wondering about this word. We heard the script and we realised it was about aggression, gun shots and terrorism. It represents where our characters come from.
Making this film has been great fun. On the first day of the shoot, we celebrated Jacqueline’s birthday. And the entire Bangistan team was pregnant — I had a child, the director has a baby, two production guys had a baby, a costume designer had a baby, the sound designer had a baby ... that was the reason it was called Bangistan (laughs).
The film marks the return to comedy for you ... how is it different?
There are different kinds of comedy — slapstick, physical comedy, over-the-top comedy, dark comedy and adult comedy. And then there is poker comedy. Bangistan is a satire with poker-face reactions. Films like Houseful, Masti and Dhamaal had ordinary situation with extraordinary reactions while Bangistan has extraordinary situations but the reaction is straight. The contrast is humorous.
What do you play in the film?
I play Hafeez Bin Ali from the Northern part of Bangistan. He is a proud Muslim, but is disturbed by the clichés in the western world towards his religion — like if you have a certain surname, you are probably linked to terrorism. He is annoyed with the way his community is seen. Thus, the leader of his gang assigns him a suicide mission. For that, he goes to Poland and has to disguise himself as a Hindu and learn about the Geeta and the Mahabharat. Eventually, he realises that all the religions talk about love, peace and harmony.
So, is it an issue-based film?
Karan Anshuman is someone new with a new energy. As far as I know, he will make films on issues. His thought process is always about issues and that makes it interesting to work with him. With Bangistan, he has something to say to the world.
You were Jacqueline Fernandez’s first hero in her first film Aladin (2009). What was it like to work with her again?
She is a brilliant actress and I am so happy that she is doing so well for herself. She has always been hard-working and I don’t see a change in her personality. But you see her first film and you see her today — she has become a way better dancer and performer.
Your thoughts on fatherhood?
Fatherhood can be understood only once you experience it.
Will you show your films to your son, including the adult comedies?
Yes, of course, all of my films. But I am educated enough to know which film to show him at what age (smiles).
Does Genelia approve of the films you do?
I have never signed a film without her knowing about it. Eventually, it is my choice to do it or not.
Do you wish to do more serious roles like Ek Villain?
I hope they make a sequel and show why he became a villain. I have a screwdriver in my bag so beware of the next question (laughs).