Actors today are more professional: Ramesh S Taurani

As a producer, Ramesh S Taurani is not only known to give out hits at the box-office, but also to create stars. And most actors who have worked with their production house often agree to working with them again without batting an eyelid.

“We don’t just make movies, we cultivate relationships. As producers we ensure that everyone on the sets right from the actor to the technician has a fond memory associated of having worked with us. In the long run that is what really matters,” says Taurani, who is currently looking forward to the Abbas Mustan directed sequel of their earlier hit Race.

As DNA catches up with the head honcho of Tips Industries, he also talks about the changing face on Bollywood...

What’s the biggest challenge in making a sequel to a film that’s already a huge hit?
The challenge is always the same whether it’s making a new film or a sequel —  of getting it right with the audience. But that’s the challenge that makes filmmaking such an interesting process for us in the first place.

How is it teaming with director duo Abbas-Mustan again for Race 2?
Well, we share a successful past and a great working relationship. There’s an understanding that a producer must have with the directors and we have that. We are fine-tuned to each other’s needs as filmmakers, so it’s a winning pairing.

But when you are working with such a huge ensemble and established stars, aren’t there chances of ego clashes and fall-outs?
We have never faced those issues at all. Everything is on paper and we are very transparent when it comes to roles, so everyone is clear about who’s doing what. Besides, most actors are producers themselves, so they all realise what a single day delay means. Today actors are anyway far more professional. They are also secure in their own spaces. The working ethics have changed here.

With so many actors-turning-producers how’s competition today?
Our industry’s always been competitive and will always be. This is also how it should be as it’s important for growth. But I believe that there’s room for all and the more, the merrier.

What do you think about taking risks?
I think it’s very important to take risks that’s why we ourselves have always taken risks. Like casting newcomers Amrita Rao and Shahid Kapoor in Ishq Vishk was something many thought was risky, but it paid off. Similarly, we have backed projects that we have believed in like Kya Kehna or Prince. Whether they work or not, they are films we will always be proud of.

What are the films you will be rolling out next year?
First we have Race 2, post which there’s Phata Poster Nikla Hero, Jayanta Bhai, and we plan to make Prince 2 as well.