Before Bheja Fry, Sagar Ballary was just another struggling filmmaker in India's financial and entertainment capital. The Mumbai boy had attended the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata, worked with Zee as an assistant director and assisted director Rajat Kapoor in Raghu Romeo and Mixed Doubles.
And then came Bheja Fry, the comedy that catapulted Ballary to national attention. Now, he is an independent filmmaker with his own production house, and three films to work on.
The promising director spoke to Nithya Ramani about the past, present, and the future.
How did you start your career in Bollywood?
When I graduated from Kolkata, I came back to Mumbai. I then received a mail from Rajat [Kapoor] saying that he needed Rs 10,000 for his film Raghu Romeo. I wondered how a film could be made in such a low budget. I approached Rajat and told him that I don't have to money to offer him but I can offer him my services. He agreed, and I assisted him.
How did Rajat react when you told him that you wanted to direct?
He always knew that directing was my ultimate goal. So he was very happy to know that I decided to direct.
After doing Raghu Romeo, Rajat did nothing for a year. He met [producer] Sunil Joshi and told him about Mixed Doubles. It was very challenging to do Mixed Doubles because again it was a low-budget film.
Why was Bheja Fry the scene by scene copy of a French film?
It was not. There are minor changes that a common man will not notice.
Now that Bheja Fry has given you fame, why do a sequel and not a new, original concept?
I am doing an original script, Kaccha Limbu. The sequel to Bheja Fry is also new. There was no sequel to the French film.
How different is the sequel from the original?
Not too different. It has a similar cast, similar story with better jokes. I wanted to explore comedy in this film and so the jokes in this film are different.
When will Bheja Fry 2 release?
Sometime next year, at the same time the first had released.
Tell us more about Kaccha Limbu.
It is about a 13-year-old boy. He is a normal, school-going kid who faces different situations in life -- just the usual teenage problems that one would face.
What message does it convey?
I don't make films to convey any message. I make films to convey feelings. Kaccha Limbu only conveys the feeling a teenager goes through.
Who are the actors?
We have Sarika, Atul Kulkarni, the kid is played by newcomer Tahir Sutarwala, Vinay Pathak and Bhairavi Goswami. It will release sometime in October.
After the success of Bheja Fry, why don't you work with A-listers?
I do not know how to approach them. I do not know how to approach Shah Rukh Khan. I don't have any means to contact him. I do not want to go through many middle men to get to my cast. I prefer casting those who are accessible. Madhuri Dixit called me up once to wish me on the success of Bheja Fry, I now know that she is accessible and when I think of working with her I know how to get in touch with her. I am a huge fan of Madhuri and will love to work with her if I get an opportunity.
Who else has approached you?
Actors and actresses, not many. But producers, a lot of them have called me -- like Sahara One, UTV, Venus, PVR, Tips and all the big names, except for Yash Raj Films.
What has the success of Bheja Fry got you?
Access to finance. I have a name now. People in the industry know me by my name. There used to be a time when I used to feel embarrassed when my assistants said they are calling from Sagar Ballary's office. Who knew me then, but now people recognise and identify me. The most that I have benefited is by having three films in hand now.
Have you bought a new home or a car?
No. I still live in the same place I used to in Matunga [in north-central Mumbai], on the same bed and still drive the same car.
Did you always want to be a director?
Yes. Right from whenever I can think of, I have always wanted to be a director.
Will you act?
Absolutely not. My cameraman will not cast me in the first place. I did guest appearances in Raghu Romeo and Mithya as an assistant director. That is what I do best. I cannot act, that is not my forte.
What have you learnt from Rajat?
Rajat is fantastically sorted out in his head. He knows what he does best. I learnt a lot from him -- from making a film in a low budget to interpersonal skills to patience. He is a very warm person to be with. You feel at ease when you are with him. I have never seen him get angry.
Who would you credit for what you are today?
Most credits to my institute. What more does one need when you get to work under legends like [cinematographer] Subrata Mitra and Satyajit Ray. Working with Satyajit Ray was a dream come true.
Why do you make films?
I want to entertain the audience. Any kind of movie that I make, I will see to it that it entertains the viewers. There is no specific type of films that I would want to do. I am open to anything and everything.
What are you next projects?
I am doing a Marathi film, which is as yet untitled. I will also come up with a psycho-thriller, which will be a ladies special. All my leading protagonists will be ladies. I will also do Bheja Fry 3.
Who are the ladies you will approach for your thriller?
I want to approach all the A-listers in the industry, starting right from our old beauties to the present generation stars.
