Akshay Kumar is like a raging bull: Milan Luthria

Milan Luthria is on a hattrick. After two back-to-back hits — Once Upon A Time in Mumbai and Dirty Picture (DP) — he now returns with Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobara (OUATIMD). Here the director talks about the film, the fact and fictional aspects of his story and his actors. Read on...

Why did you want to make the sequel?
There’s a maverick streak in me that enjoys surprising people. I hate getting into a rut, so after OUATIM, I picked up The Dirty Picture, a journey into a woman’s soul. This idea for the sequel came up as we were shooting DP, because wherever I went people talked incessantly about OUATIM. It almost seemed as though they hadn’t had enough. The story of the sequel demanded a fresh cast ,and was based on a romantic premise, it was a radically different road to walk on, and that’s  always exciting for me.
 
Is it based on the Dubai gangster?
We have touched upon a time when the involvement of the underworld with movies, and their fascination with new actresses was rampant. It was the ’80s and a lot of this was happening or was rumoured. There were stray incidents of hush hush parties in the Gulf, cricket fixing, clandestine relationships, visits to film sets.  We’ve placed our film in that era so obviously there will be comparisons and coincidences but this one is far more fictional than true.
 
Did you miss Ajay Devgn?
Ajay and I have a unique connection. He understands me better than most people or actors... I am very relaxed when he is around. I did think of him often during the shoot, especially when regaling Akshay, Sonakshi and Imran with incidents and memories of OUATIM. But this was a whole new experience, and working with these actors has been a great journey. I’ve gotten a lot out of them and they’ve done a terrific job.

Have you shown the film to him?
We spoke a couple of days ago and he’s keen to watch it in a day or two...

What was his reaction to the sequel?
Ajay was curious to know how I’d take the story forward. He knows I tell stories and don’t resort to gimmicks. When I told him the idea, he loved it and felt I would get a lot out of my cast as always. Watch for Akshay in the climax of this film. It’s unforgettable imagery. He’s like a raging bull.

The casting must have been tough, no?
I cast according to instinct and the script. Shoaib had to be in his ‘40s -- dashing, debonair, powerful, flamboyant. Basically larger than life. Akshay fills the screen with all this. Imran had to be the counterpoint -- full of loyalty, integrity, truth. And Sonakshi needed to look like an innocent newcomer. Someone with innocence as well as fire, and had to suit both the actors.

Why didn’t you retain Emraan Hashmi?
His character had to be older. He had to play the mentor to a new protege and be tormented with his own betrayal of Sultan. So it had to be an older actor.

Was Emraan upset?
False! Emraan is a cool guy, he gets it and he gets me. We have a terrific rapport. He loved the fact that this was to be a sequel with a difference. Of course there must have been a tinge of regret because the first film belongs as much to the actors as to me.

This is the first time you’ve worked with Akshay. How was the experience?
It’s been awesome. He is larger than life, yet as disciplined and relaxed as can be. Akshay has a huge appetite for more, and he got that in this film. I could see all through that he was relishing the experience of a film that gave him something different to do.

Why cast Imran as a gangster?
I needed the antithesis to the evil Akshay. Imran has a wonderfully honest presence. Watch for him he’s a surprise package!

What’s your whole take on the Chennai Express vs OUATIMD? Do you believe that it was best to postpone the film to August 15?
Yes, it was a good decision. It’s a business at the end of the day and we wanted as many screens as a film of our size needs.

This is your third film with Ekta Kapoor. Have there been creative clashes?
Of course we clash but that’s the fun of it. It makes the process interesting. But I have to say that most of the time she leaves me alone and gives feedback at the right times. We are both ambitious, commercial filmmakers and complement each other well.

What’s next?
This film has been all I’ve thought of the last year so no other thoughts yet.