Small Is Beautiful

Harsh Chhaya: It is actually straight from the saying 'Aakash se gire, khajoor pe atke'.

Vinay Pathak: Initially, we thought we would call it Aakaash Se Gire but we found that Khajoor Pe Atke was even more apt. Also, our friend Aakash was not happy with the fact that we were making fun of his name! (Laughs)

HC: Jokes apart, as I said, it is inspired by the saying. And the characters in the stories show you the significance of it because woh log bhi kahin atke huye hain. The phrase just came to me because it goes so well with the script.

Amrit Sethia: We were going back and forth between two options for the title. One was Khajoor Pe Atke and the other was Kuch Keh Nahi Sakte and we unanimously agreed that Khajoor Pe Atke was the best option.

VP: Also, if we had called it Kuch Keh Nahi Sakte, the audience just might have said that toh phir kyun keh rahe ho, ghar pe hi baitho. (Laughs).

BOI: Harsh, you talk about the sense of realism in this film. Do you all think that films today need this aspect to connect with the audience?

VP: Now that's a very controversial question. (Laughs)

HC: I want to say that this is my very first film as a director and that is why I shouldn't speak too much. (Laughs) I have just started out and shouldn't be giving lectures on the subject. When I make three to four films and if those films become superhits, then I will give this gyaan.

VP: I think content should be of all kinds. If we only talk about realism in a movie, then what would happen to fantasy films, which are so wonderful? People will stop making science fiction movies and we won't be going to theatres to watch films like Avengers: Infinity Wars. HC: Yes, I agree that when the story is good, it doesn't matter where it is based or which genre it is from. VP: There is a place for films that have some level of imagination that people want to connect with. Films like that too are important.

BOI: Harsh, this is your directorial debut. Was it challenging to get an ensemble cast on board? How was it working with the entire cast and managing their dates?

HC: There is an entire production unit to help you manage things. And then sometimes, things fall into place. This is one of those cases when all the actors gave us their dates at the same time. Often, you kind of have a wish list of actors you want to work with but what if they do not have the time to work on your project? We didn't have that problem in this film and finally everything dovetailed very well.

Making the film was a challenge in the sense that I come from a totally different space as an actor, where you stay in a different world. If someone goes overboard, you can shut them up. You are engrossed in your work and the other people around look after you. They bring your coffee on time, for instance.

As a director, you need to be concerned about a hundred people. It is your responsibility to make a film. As an actor, you often tend to take your scenes for granted. Here, if you find out that your spot boy is upset, then you need to coax him, because in a set of 40 people, even if two spot boys are absent, you can feel the difference. You need to take care and work in tandem with everyone. So, the whole thing turned inside-out. It was pretty much a life-changing experience and a beautiful one too.

BOI: This film was shot in a limited period and on a fixed budget. How challenging was that for you as a first-time director?

HC: When you set out to make a film, you need to know certain things. First of all, you need to take a look in the mirror. You need to know all your old limitations and that another set of new limitations will be added to those. Only then should one make a film because it means you are prepared.

Plus, you also know the issues there can be in a film, you watch people, you watch films, you have friends in films. There is no luxury of extending a film beyond 50-60 days. If you already know these things and then make a movie, then there will be fewer challenges. So, I was in a better space because I knew what I was getting into.

BOI: Vinay, you said you had been waiting for a chance to work with Manoj Pahwa. What was it like on the sets?

VP: I want to tell all future directors and producers that Pahwa sahab and I have decided to give you all 10 per cent off if you cast us together. We bring our mark too. There is a handmade sandbag where we have put a mark. We have it at home. It won't be visible on camera. We are camera-friendly, producer-friendly, director-friendly, script-friendly actors and with your grace, we will hopefully be box office-friendly actors too. We will charge 10 per cent less together.

HC: 10 per cent off for the both of you. Will think about that.

BOI: What is that one thing the audience will take away or relate to most in the film?

HC: The response has been very good and very encouraging so far, which is also scary because expectations are also high. But, this is exciting.

Manoj Pahwa : Audiences will definitely come. These days, it is very expensive to watch a film at a multiplex, so you want your money's worth. I can assure you that you can watch this film with your family, girlfriend or neighbour and you will be entertained. The film is a complete package.

BOI: In recent times, we have not seen fun-filled family dramas too often. What is your take on this? And how do you plan to promote or market this film?

HC: Right now, the films being made, whether Subh Mangal Saavdhan or Bareilly Ki Barfi, fall into the same category. The responsibility of filmmakers has increased to make good films. If we say we are making different films but the content turns out to be useless, nobody would watch them.

Speaking of the marketing aspect, it is still a fight, and I believe the change will come after a few years. If we keep making films like this, it will be regarded as a habit, and this can happen only when we make good films. Other filmmakers will follow the success of the previous film. In fact, the cover on your magazine right now is a statement; it doesn't have any of the commercial superstars. That's a huge statement about how times are changing.

BOI: As a producer, director and actors, how important are box office numbers?

HC: They aren't really important for us; they are more important for the market. But, if the film does well, it will get us more work and eventually we will get producers who will back our films.

MP: I don't really follow box office numbers but I believe that everyone should feel rewarded and that producers should recover their investment, so that they are encouraged to produce more films, which in turn benefits the industry. It is rare to find producers who are willing to invest in different subjects, away from mainstream, commercial subjects.

VP: I feel box office numbers are very important for any actor, director or producer. When I was in drama school, I was taught that regardless of my training in acting, or how good I am as an actor, how good you really are directly proportionate to your box office returns. It indicates how many people want to watch you. If a lot of people are willing to watch you, it doesn't mean you are a successful actor; it means you are a good actor. The truth about an actor depends on the box office numbers. I also believe that box office numbers are not everything. People tend to believe that if one's film does not make a hundred crore, it isn't a good film. That is very debatable. All things considered, box office returns are important because we want to be encouraged financially and inspired to do it again. Also, when films like this do not make a lot of money at the box office, one shouldn't be discouraged because these are different kinds of returns altogether.