CAFE
COM:PORT
CHAT JOCKEYS
EVENTS

The Rajiv Rai Chat

Oye Oye: Money is never the prime concern except I don't want to lose what I have put in the film. I'm not an artistic director and I don't claim to be one. My 'pa' never cared to make money. He always wants to make a big film. I suppose money follows.
Anurag Sharma: Kajol is difficult to work with and easy at the same time: difficult because you have to be very clear with what you are doing with her and easy because you don't have to tell her how to act. Manisha is a sweet-natured girl. No problems at all. You must have met her when she was drunk.

RAJIV: Where did you film Gupt? In India or abroad? Is it based on a novel or is it some original screenplay? Will you ever consider making a good book into a movie (as Hollywood does)

Tridev: No problem to put them together. No problem on the sets. They are not temperamental with me. You believe a lot of what is written in Stardust.

Could u mention the supporting cast of Gupt? Villian? The posters only show Bobby Deol, Kajol and Manisha?

By the way, Mr Rai, would you consider casting me in your next film? Am not bad looking... and you yourself just claimed that it was not looks that mattered... May I send you my pix?

Rajiv, despite all your films being major hits, you make only one film in two years. Why?

Would you ever consider a historical film based on some important event in history (AKA Border?)

And Mr Rai, I am not even asking for the heroine's role... That you can cast me in the next film...

Me Too! Mr. Rai and I am actually very good looking as well (unlike Nandini). And I am willing, compliant and open-minded!!

Mr Rai, aren't you scared that your film might not do well considering so many of them are flopping now a days?

Is it easier to handle two heroines or two heroes? Who do you think play more games (behind the scenes)? Male stars or female stars?

What do you consider unique about your films ?

Anurag Sharma: Shot in India. Original screenplay. Have not considered making a novel into a film. Might do it someday.
Nandini: When you see the film, you'll know.
Anurag Sharma: I can't understand why people didn't like Bobby in Barsaat because then you're gonna hate him in my film. I think he is a good actor and fits my role in the script and is easy to work with. I chose him beause I needed somebody goodlooking for the role. I did not work with popular actors who had hits in Mohra, and working with popular actors is not my priority.

Rajiv: I like your honesty and straight-forwardness. I wish all celebrities would answer forthright! Keep it up!!!

Anurag Sharma: Its always easier to handle male heros. Nobody plays games its just what you read in the magazines. I won't be making any historical films unless it is set in the colonial British period.
Agrahara: Are you goodlooking?

What are your main criterion for choosing a male and female lead (how about top 3 items) for your film?

Jayesh Godambe: The supporting cast is over 30 actors and actresses. I'm afraid I don't have villains this time. There is no place to put 30 faces in your publicity.

YES! YES! Very. Believe me! On a scale of 1-10, with lets say Madhu Bala being 8, I am 7.5. I can send u my pictures if u want.

MR RAI: That is extremely UNFAIR of you... I asked you for a role first -- and just because Agrahara CLAIMED she was 'good looking, openminded and compliant (compliant, imagine! Compliant!) you encourage her! Unfair, Mr Rai, terribly, terribly UNFAIR!! Waaaaaaaaaaaah! I am going to cry!

RAJIV: I think you should consider making movies on true events. This makes the audience identify with the characters. You can still put "filmi masala" in it to make it saleable! Sunil Dutt did it in Yeh raste hain pyar ke and the same was true for Achanak(with Vinod Khanna). Both films did well and were appreciated.

AGRAHARA: I'd love to see your pictures BUT not to my residence;-) At my office. I'm a happily married man with a beautiful 10-10 wife:-). The problem is she is not very broadminded and I do not want to break up my marriage. Actually I'm not looking for a heroine so why should I be asking you for your pictures? I'm sure you are beautiful and I'm sure you are gonna make it into films, even without the casting couch.

Nandini: Act like a grown-up now! Compliant means a lot and can get a lot of things done! And I DO NOT mean THAT when I mean Compliant!!! I mean I wont go all the way!

Mr Rai, do you think that films are a mixture of real and fantasy? how real are your films?

Nandini: My answer to you is the same as that to Agrahara.
Anurag Sharma: If you heard about the true event then what's so interesting about the film that you'd make on that true event. Because you know the story .That is not challenging for me, I'd rather imagine a story that could be true.

Rajiv, why didn't you repeat Akshay Kumar and Raveena Tandon in this film? You did it earlier with Sunny Deol and Naseer.

Sure! Mr. Rai.. Give me ur office address please! I will send u the best of my pictures which I sent to Mr. Hugh Heffner.

Tridev: My films are an illusion of reality. I try and make unreal things real. So that makes it fantasy. Well my films are a fantasy.

Mr Rai, do you think that films are a mixture of real and fantasy? how real are your films?

Thanks, MR Rai, I think you are not all that bad.. Will come over to your office as soon as I organise my portfolio.. In a couple of day -- say Friday? -- timez/ Will that do?

RAJIV: There is a lot of research involved in making a true story come to life. One must unearth all the facts, give it a point of view and present it. Hollywood does this all the time and successfully at that. It's far more challenging. Try it sometime!

Mr Rai, why don't you make more films? your films are hits, so shouldn't you be adopting the policy of make hay while the sun shines?

RAJIV: Would you ever consider Akshaye Khanna for your film. He was awesome in Border. In my opinion the next super-star!

Hello, there Rai. kaiso ho? Everything all right with you these day?

Rajiv, on what basis do you choose your actors? Do the men have to be macho and the women very feminine..

Agrahara: I'm not asking for nudes. I wish we could make films the way they are made in Hollywood. We have strict censor laws. When they change I love to check out your resume. I hope I'm not old by then. As it is I need spectacles now to read at close distance.

Rajiv, why didn't you repeat Akshay Kumar and Raveena Tandon in this film? you did it earlier with Sunny Deol and Naseer..

Er, Rai, old chap, have a sensitive matter to mention...? What about costing, er, casting me in one of your old films? I will do it for half my normal price... Er, the thing is that I have got myself a couple of creditor... a chotasa matter.. got to have some dough.. so what say? Eh?

Mr. Rajiv, These are not nudes..... Just plain nice pictures.

Rajiv, on what basis do you choose your actors? Do the men have to be macho and the women very feminine..

Amitabh Bachchan: What do you think, AB, with Gupt releasing day after do you think I couldn't be feeling better.
Raveena: Well I have to get the right script and I don't like casting lovers.
Tridev: I can't do more than what I'm doing I don't have the capacity and the mental energy to do more films. I'm content with one film at a time.

Mr Rai, why don't you make more films? your films are hits, so shouldn't you be adopting the policy of make hay while the sun shines?