Sujoy Ghosh, director of Jhankaar Beats, is hopelessly filmi. And he is proud of it.
"I have grown up watching films. I have watched almost every film released," he smiles. "Plus I am a Bengali. I think Bengalis are born film experts."
He smiles again, waiting for you to counter that. You don't. He is funny without knowing it. He can crack the funniest jokes poker-faced.
Jhankaar Beats is spiffy, spunky and very real. Why Jhankaar Beats, you want to know.
"When I first came up with the title, everyone went, 'Why Jhankaar Beats?' And I said, 'Why not?' You see, I was fascinated by the music played by autorickshawallahs in Mumbai. So when I wrote my script, Jhankaar Beats had to be the title. No two ways about that," he tells Rohini Iyer.
How did Jhankaar Beats happen?
I wrote the script a couple of years ago. I was working in London then and making lots of money. But my heart was in films. I had finished my script and decided to chuck it all and come to Mumbai to make my film. It was tough making that decision. I was chucking up security to chase a dream. But I am glad I did. Thankfully, my family supported me. I came here and met PNC [Pritish Nandy Communications]. They agreed to produce my film. It all fell into place after the initial bit of struggle.
Then came the next round -- the casting part. Sanjay Suri and Rahul Bose were my first choices. I wanted Juhi Chawla to play Sanjay's wife. Juhi was initially apprehensive because I was a rank newcomer. But she heard the script and agreed.
I approached Twinkle Khanna to play Rahul's wife. But she was not interested in working after marriage. So she put me on to [her sister] Rinke. Shayan Munshi and Riya Sen were then signed on because I wanted a fresh pair.
What is the film all about?
Jhankaar Beats is a simple story. It is the story of six individuals and what happens in their life over two months. It is a story of a man trying to support a family and trying to get along with his mother-in-law at the same time. It is the story of a husband who has just fought with his wife. It is the story of a guy who is in love with a girl but is not able to express it. It is the story of real people.
They say dying is easy, comedy is tough. What inspired you to make this film?
Jhankaar Beats is inspired by MAD comics, the lighter side of life. I loved reading MAD comics while I was growing up. I am still crazy about them, just as I am about cinema. The film is about the little challenges everyone faces every day. For Sanjay, it is a challenge to face his mom-in-law. For Rahul, it is a challenge to say sorry because he thinks he is the coolest person in the world. For Shayan, it is a challenge to go up to the girl he loves and confess his feelings.
Jhankaar is about priorities, how they change each day. What is important today may not be important tomorrow. It is about facing everything with a smile on your face.
What's next after Jhankaar Beats?
I want to make a film with Naseeruddin Shah. It is on my wish list. I am trying to get a script ready.
I am dying to work with Amitabh Bachchan. He's the best. Then, of course, I want to work with Akshaye Khanna and Hrithik Roshan because they are very good actors.
I am waiting for Jhankaar Beats to hit the marquee. My life will begin after the release.
