An extremely successful producer with hits like Munna Bhai MBBS, Parineeta, 3 Idiots and PK to his credit, Vidhu Vinod Chopra is readying the release of his latest venture, Wazir which is directed by Bejoy Nambiar.
Amitabh Bachchan and Farhan Akhtar make for unusual co-stars. What is their interaction like in Wazir?
The film is about an unusual friendship between somebody like Rakesh Maria and Vishvanath Anand -- two people who are the opposite of each other but become friends. I find that fascinating.
Amitabh is confined to a wheelchair while Farhan has an action-packed role. Was this to add novelty value?
Bachchan has never done a role like this before. I didn’t realise that this is Farhan Akhtar’s first action film. The way he holds the gun ... you can’t believe that it’s his first time. This kid is incredible. If I ever want to direct a film in India, Farhan Akhtar will be the actor I would like to work with. He is just outstanding…there is an inner anger in him. He is a quiet guy, very reserved but when he saw the trailer he cried and hugged me. I told myself ‘I have arrived.’
Speaking of direction, why haven’t you directed a Hindi film after Eklavya (2007)?
I am going to do that. I think I will do it next year. After Eklavya, I got busy with Broken Horses then I was caught up with PK, and later Wazir. Now I am free, and I will make my own movie.
Any younger actor you would like to work with?
I would love to work with younger actors like Varun Dhawan and Hrithik Roshan. They are really good and I like them too.
What’s happening to Munna Bhai 3?
We have an idea which we are very excited about but it will take time -- around six to eight months. We are currently writing it and there is absolutely no hurry.. We are not a company which has to make a film every year. We thoroughly enjoy our work and it shows in our films.
Yes, Wazir too has taken time to get to the screen.
The same thing happened with PK — it was delayed for five-six months. See, for me, it’s not about the dates … when you make a film you should be happy with the film and then you should release it. So we are happy with the film and we are releasing it now.
Why was the title changed to Wazir?
It was my idea to come up with the title Wazir; the film’s working title was Do. Wazir (in chess) is the only one who can walk straight -- and Neil Nitin Mukesh does exactly that in the film.