Akshay Kumarbell bottom is the first Bollywood In the past few months, the film is heading towards a theatrical release amid the Covid-19 pandemic, despite the theaters not opening in some states. While the actors are feeling the pressure, they are also confident that the audience is ready to be back in the theatres. In this interview, Kumar talks about the need for a theatrical release, his experience of shooting amid the pandemic and his motivation to keep doing multiple films.
Are you happy that Bell Bottom is finally releasing in theaters?
It’s been two years and we haven’t seen anything in theatres. Now the time has come for people to come to watch movies but with the necessary protocols suggested by the government. We just hope it never stops again. It’s a gamble we’ve taken but we have to start somewhere.
But do you expect people to come to theatres?
This is an area that you and I cannot anticipate. God knows what is going to happen because now it is the call of the people to go to the cinema halls. This is a risk. I hope people realize that when we are watching a movie we are looking at the screen and not looking at each other. It is less risky to watch a movie in a theater where all safety protocols are maintained. A Punjabi film was released in North. The first day collection is around Rs. 11 lakhs. From Monday it increased to Rs 35 lakh. To be honest people are going to theaters
Maharashtra brings in the highest revenue at the box office, but theaters are still closed in the state. Is this a cause for concern?
30 percent of the revenue comes from Maharashtra. Other states are operating at 50% occupancy which means that 50 percent of the remaining 70% revenue is also gone. But we have to take the risk. I am keeping my fingers crossed, hope Maharashtra opens up before our film release.
Are you planning to talk to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray for this?
I am sure the Chief Minister of Maharashtra (Uddhav Thackeray) knows what he is doing. He wants to make sure that everything is safe and that all necessary precautions are taken. If I go and talk about opening theaters for my film and if the cases start escalating, then I will be the culprit. He knows his work and we are all positive, hopefully theaters in Maharashtra will open before August 19.
How was the experience of working at Bell Bottom?
When we shot the film, the whole world was almost closed. It was probably the first film in the world to go on floors. I still remember that we were a cast and crew of 225 people and before leaving for London, I was worried that they would not allow us to fly because the authorities in the United Kingdom would refuse to allow us to shoot at the last minute. As soon as we took off, all the people on board the flight jumped with joy. It was almost as if we all got freedom. I remember sitting with him and playing Housie and it was one of the best memories. I haven’t felt as good after any film as I did in Bell Bottom.
Lara Dutta surprised everyone with her portrayal of Indira Gandhi in the film. In several interviews he mentioned that it was you who convinced him to take up the role.
I’ve known Lara for a long time and I felt she had that perfect balance that I thought she could accomplish. At first when I called him, he thought I was doing a prank but I really wanted him to play the role. I was also scared when I saw the trailer and no one recognized it. My sister has seen the film twice. After watching it a second time he asked me, “Where is Lara in the movie?” That’s when I realized she didn’t even know that Lara was in the film. So I told him that Indira Gandhi’s character is Lara. And she and my sister were on the shoot, not on the set but she was there so she asked ‘we took Lara for a shoot but where is she in the film?
While Lara’s character was highly praised, it was also discussed on social media that why no senior actor was roped in for this role?
what’s wrong with that? It’s just a character. I remember Amitabh Bachchan and Rakhi playing husband and wife in Bemishal. A few years later Rakhi ji played the role of his mother in Shakti. Both the films performed very well.
You are shooting many films even during the pandemic. Do you realize the risk factor that comes with working in such times?
My job is more dangerous than any other job. I can’t shoot with my mask in front of 10 people who are giving all the dialogues. No one is allowed to wear a mask – he is spitting on me and I am on (they are spitting on me and I on him) (laughs). That’s why we have to work. Everyone from the spot boy to the rest are wearing masks. This is a dangerous thing but we have to do it. Everyone has to take risks. We can’t be completely closed. I agree that it is not without fear. For a year and a half, I was lucky enough to be alive and then I got COVID-19. Look, it’s easy for me to sit at home – I have that money so that’s all I can do. But, what about the workers? They also need work. I am fearing every step within the logic as accurately and carefully as everyone should. We were lucky that none of the cast and crew were found positive during the entire shoot.
How do you think the industry has changed after the pandemic?
There is no such thing as star power. Today the power is in the script. Filmmakers have a lot of options for actors. If I say no, someone else is ready. If a good script comes to me, I always say yes without thinking twice. We have seen tremendous growth in the last few years. There are many actors who are really busy as there is a lot of work for everyone. Today, if you try to approach a character actor who is popular with the audience, he doesn’t have dates.
You have about 10 projects in different stages. How do you manage to adjust between them?
I am not an actor who takes a few months to get into the character. I start a film, finish it and move on to my next project. I recently finished Raksha Bandhan and now I am going to Cinderella. Once this is done, I will start with Ram Setu. I’ve been doing this for my entire career, I don’t see why I should stop. I don’t find it difficult. I work eight hours a day. I take most of the holidays in the film industry and do three-four films a year and release it. If your work becomes your passion, you get the energy automatically.
How do you choose your script?
There is no rocket science. Like, I mentioned earlier, if I like a script, I’ll do it. I enjoy every place. I’ve played this guy who stands in support of women in Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and Padman, or even comedies like Laxmmi and the Housefull franchise. I love movies like Bell Bottom which allow me to bring to life the stories of our country’s unsung heroes. I have never restricted myself as an actor.
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