Here is a recent interview of Nikhil Advani the man who directed Kal Ho Na Ho and Salam-E-Ishq
What can you tell us about Salaam-e-Ishq?
It has six love stories, intertwined and interconnected. What is interesting about the film is its treatment and screenplay.
Are the characters related?
Yes, they are related in a certain way.Akshaye Khanna sits in a taxi driven by
Sohail Khan and Isha Koppikar are the only couple not connected to anyone. I like to think of them like the chipmunk in Ice Age who is not connected to the main story -- but every time they come on screen, they make you laugh. I think every director likes to indulge, and these characters are my indulgences.
What are these six stories all about?
Salaam-e-Ishq has nothing to do with love and everything to do with what you should not do when in love. Salaam takes this whole notion of love being a sacred cow and flips it on its head completely. It is best summed up in one line -- 'One common problem: love.' A problem because when you're in love, you know it's a problem. It's a problem you can't live without and the only solution to it is also love. The only way to handle love is to love more.
The characters are simple. We have a taxi driver, an ambitious man, an item girl, a couple looking to elope, a man facing mid-life crisis and his wife, a commitment phobic man and his girlfriend, a girl looking for love and an American.
The most visible part of the movie is its huge star cast. How did you go about casting?
Salman wanted to do a film with me and I wanted the same. He was the first person I approached. Akshaye Khanna was the second person who said he'd do this film. I was very clear that I would not make this film without Anil Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. The essential thing about Salaam-e-Ishq is that the casting is bang on. Salman was the one who suggested we take in Govinda.i had Govinda in mind when I wrote the part of a taxi driver. As for Anil Kapoor, he becomes thecharacter as soon as he's in the frame.
Salman is a rock star in real life and that is what he plays in the film, too. He is an enigma, and you don't know whether he is joking or serious. For Priyanka, the requirement was someone who could undergo this journey - a dancer, a comedian who was fairly ambitious but in the heart of hearts is just a sweet, simple Indian girl.
John Abraham and Vidya Balan in Salaam-E-IshqVidya Balan and John Abraham make an interesting couple. Balan plays a practical, logical, and very Indian woman. The essential thing about John's role is that he starts off as a boy, and matures into a man by the end of the film. Vidya is already a woman in the film and looks after him. He learns from her what love is all about.
Govinda in Delhi. Akshaye is getting engaged to Ayesha Takia, the sister of Juhi Chawla. Juhi is married to Anil Kapoor, an event organiser. He calls up Priyanka Chopra, an item girl from London, to perform in Mumbai. Priyanka is connected to Salman Khan, who in turn is connected to Akshaye and Govinda.
Is the movie inspired by Love Actually?
Yes, it is inspired by the British film. In fact, every multi-track, multi-starrer movie that I can think of -- Love Actually, American Beauty, Dil Chahta hai, Amar Akbar Anthony -- has inspired me.
So the film is not a copy?
Well, Salman is not the Prime Minister of India.Salaam was written by you.
Does that give you more creative freedom?
If you're passionate about making a particular film then you can do justice to it. Ramesh Sippy did not write Sholay, but his stamp is there in every frame of the film. As for creative freedom, I started writing Salaam because I realised there is a lot of me in this movie. One thing I hate is writing. It is the most exhausting process. I would prefer directing a bound script.
Was it a natural progression, moving on from being an independent director to starting your own production house?
From the time I've been an assistant, I've always done films where I've been able to handle production. It is very important for director to understand the concept of production because that is the only way that they are able to fulfill their creative requirements. So yes, it was a natural progression.
How has working with Aditya Chopra (Nikhil assisted him in Mohabbatein) and Karan Johar influenced your filmmaking?
They are such talented directors and scriptwriters that even everyday conversations permeate into your thought process. When you're making and writing your own film, there is a certain sur, or tone, that you incorporate in your scenes.
The most important thing Karan or Aditya bring to a table, or to a story, is clarity. They are very clear about everything, and can envision the whole movie right from the first to the last frame. They know exactly what they want to do. So when they are interacting with technicians or actors they instill a certain confidence in them. And that is the greatest strength they've given me. You cannot do a film like Salaam-e-Ishq, you can't bring actors like these on camera, until they have ultimate confidence in you.
So there are no negative feelings between you and Karan?
I think you should call up Karan and ask him that question.
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