Sonu Sood, who is working on Kung fu Yoga and also producing Tutak Tutak Tutiya, talks about both the films and his experience in working with Prabhu Deva and Jackie Chan.
After a dozen years in Bollywood as an actor, did you feel you were well equipped to turn producer with Tutak Tutak Tutiya?
It was challenging to be the producer. Each and every minor detail of the production was on paper. After the film got over, I recorded three big numbers — Rail gaddi, Tutuk tutak tutiya and Love the way you dance. I wanted fantabulous music which I really got. There were sleepless nig-hts while arranging and making the songs with the composers. But I am really happy the film is looking the way I wanted it to.
Did you always want to become a producer?
Production happened by chance. I was asked to act in this film but when I heard the script, I said would love to produce it too. All my friends used to predict that I will produce films but I never thought of it. But I have always believed that if you have good content, people are going to love it. I have left no stone unturned to make this film look good. I have firmly believed that if I produce a film it has to be different. It’s my dad’s production...
Was it easy to enlist your Happy New Year (2014) co-star and friend Shah Rukh Khan for the voiceover in the trailer?
He is like an elder brother to me. I wanted him to be part of this film but I was not sure what I should ask him to do for me. I saw the trailer and decided I need a narrator who can introduce the characters. He loved the trailer and felt that it’s a thorough entertainer.
What do you play in Tutak Tutak Tutiya?
I play a Punjabi superstar Raj Khanna who falls in love with a girl (Tamannaah) but she is possessed by a ghost and confusion ensues. It’s a horror-comedy.
Were you nervous about matching dance steps with your co-star Prabhu Deva?
No, I was not. I know I can never be as good as he is but at least I can be sincere and decent while dancing next to him. I am sure I am not that bad (smiles).
Will you produce more films now?
I want to produce content-driven, masaledaar films if I get good scripts... anything that convinces me to spend 8-10 months of my life on that product.
You are appearing alongside Jackie Chan in Kung Fu Yoga. Tell us about the film.
Whenever Indian actors did films abroad, some people would say ‘Why don’t Indian actors get good roles in Hollywood movies?’ When Jackie Chan’s film came up, I was wondering what they are offering me. But when they sent the script, my role was spread all over! In every scene, it’s Jackie and me, I was very happy that somewhere in the world someone thought that we should cast an Indian actor in a role like this. I am glad that I could do this film. It is releasing in January and it’s an action-comedy...something that will make everyone proud.
How have you planned to promote the film in India?
I have asked Jackie to come to India and we plan to keep some promotions and interviews.