day completes one week of the films release in the U.K and Sarkar Raj has already grossed more than quarter of a million pounds here. It also marks Ramu's highest ever collections in the U.K too. Any comments?
I am happy for Ramu and the entire team of Sarkar Raj. But it's not only U.K., the collections in certain parts of India are huge too. America's collection is equally good like in the U.K, if not, may be slightly more because it is a larger market. But at the end of the day what counts is that the thriller genre is getting accepted in the U.K, which traditionally, never used to work. U.K audiences tend to favor the more Yash Raj brand of cinema, which is a family entertainer with a lot of song and dance and culture. Very honestly, we the team of Sarkar Raj never expected the film to do much in the overseas market because of these statistics. The figures you've given me comes as a pleasant surprise that it's doing exceeding business in the U.K.
Sarkar and Sarkar Raj once again proved that the Hindi films aren't just about song and dance routine. Do you think more and more films should be made keeping in mind the success of such films?
Most definitely. When Sarkar was first made, it was a songless film. So was Black, for that matter, and they both went on to be very successful films. It just proved that the audience is willing to see films without songs and now Sarkar Raj has proved it again. And that's three in a row for dad too. We can sing to it (laughs).
Sarkar Raj is filled with sepia tones, black and grey shades and haunting background score. The film has continued from where it ended. Don't you think Ramu should've experimented a bit this time around?
I definitely feel that Sarkar Raj picks up and continues its style that Ramu had implied duringSarkar and this was something that needed to be constant in the film which is the way in which you tell the story and the technique used to convey the story. I hope when the trilogy is made, it still doesn't shift its focus.
Working together with the family for the first time would've been a great experience for you. But does it also bring in enough power in your performance when you see your dad and wife opposite you in the same frame?
Yes. Once the camera rolls, you're a professional and that is exactly how you should be. As actors, we can't allow our inter-personal relations to come in the way of our acting. But the minute Ramu said - Cut it - we were family again and it was great fun. Both dad and Aishwarya are actors with whom I've worked in the past and have enjoyed working with, and before Aishwarya and me were together, as a couple, we've done many films. Infact, she is one co-artist I've done maximum films with. So when you are facing Indian Film Industry's finest, you need to have the power to face them.
What did you learn from Sarkar Raj, which you did not from Sarkar?
There is so much to take away from a film that it becomes that much more an important and a memorable experience. I took away a lot from the film. First and foremost is that RGV Ki Aag released during the making of Sarkar Raj and I really saw Ramu go through this entire journey of emotions after his film failed, which we all know, and I really learnt the strengths of character that Ram Gopal Varma as a director has. You need to know that this was the same man who was lambasted for making such a film. But I really felt that the media and many others really went after him unfairly. I applaud Ramu for the way he handled that situation and the strength and the conviction with which he continued to believe in Sarkar Raj and didn't panic and still made the film, which he set out to make. It speaks volumes for Ramu as a director and as a person.
From your natural acting in Sarkar we will now see you possess some super-natural powers in Drona.
This is a tag that the media has put on because they have nothing else to write over here besides calling it a film with super natural powers. But it's not a super hero film, contrary to popular belief; it is a modern day fantasy in which I play a King. There is a lot of magic in the film but that doesn't make it super natural. I wouldn't compare it to Krishh too. I am really excited aboutDrona because I've never attempted something like this before. Infact, something like Drona has never been made in the history of Indian cinema. Therefore, we all are working very hard on it and looking forward for it.
Any message you'd like to convey to people who haven't yet watched Sarkar Raj?
Obviously the first message will be - Please go watch it (laughs). Sarkar Raj is a brilliant film in all aspects and credit goes to Ram Gopal Varma. Secondly, fantastic performances from Dad and Aishwarya and if you're my fan... do I have to say anything further? (Laughs)
Whom would you pick to play Chikoo in the Sarkar Raj trilogy?
It'll be nice to see Hrithik Roshan play the role of Chikoo and more interesting will be the Ram Gopal Varma combination with Hrithik. That'll be an exciting watch.
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