Salman Khan wanted me to cast my daughter as Munni, says Kabir Khan

His first outing with Salman Khan in Ek Tha Tiger was not exactly smooth — there were creative differences — but with Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Kabir Khan not only got the superstar on board as an actor but even as a producer. “Salman liked the script so much that he decided to produce it,” Kabir says happily. Clearly, the director and the actor have come a long way.

Kabir started out as a documentary filmmaker, and his first film Kabul Express had reflections of it as it was based on his personal experiences in strife-torn Afghanistan, but his subsequent films have been moving into the commercial space replete with song-and-dance routine: ETT and now BB. The director confesses that the songs in ETT cut into the storytelling, but in BB “every song is contextually placed”. Here he talks about his equation with Salman, why he didn’t cast his six-year-old daughter Saira as Munni, his fav directors et al...

How was it working with Salman Khan again after Ek Tha Tiger?
As compared to Ek Tha Tiger, this was very smooth. ETT was the first time we were collaborating, so it took time to understand each other, and how we wanted to approach the film. We got into a complete understanding towards the end of the film and went on to become good friends. Fortunately, that film became a big hit. During the time that we were discussing ideas and stuff, I realised that Salman feels strongly about some things and has a certain depth of knowledge. One of them is the concept of secularism and the secular fabric of our country. When I got the idea for Bajrangi..., I knew he would react strongly. Sure enough, not only did he agree to act in the film, he decided to produce it. We understand each other so well that the story does not get lost. It’s been a positive process.

Your films have had a feel of thriller to them, be it Kabul Express, New York or even Ek Tha Tiger. Bajrangi Bhaijaan seems different from these though it has an Indo-Pak angle...
Not really. If you see, in some way BB comes closest to Kabul Express — the kind of humour, the level of emotional content, the backdrop that I have put. That was a smaller canvas, this is bigger. It is exactly the kind of storytelling I want to do in mainstream cinema — keeping a real context with real characters, a story that is larger than life and a strong emotional core. It is the first film where I could write in songs organically. Otherwise, I struggle with songs. Songs have to take the narrative forward. I have a problem when the storytelling stops and cuts into a song. I have seen good films being destroyed by badly placed songs. In Phantom, which is a thriller, there are no songs. They only play in the background. But in Bajrangi Bhaijaan, I have enjoyed each and every song. It is creatively most satisfying film so far.

Talking about songs, Bhar Do Jholi has got into a controversy with a couple of Pakistani singers. What is your take on it?
This is one of the most famous qawwalis in the world. I have been hearing the song since my childhood and so has Salman, the reason why we opted for it. We needed an authentic song in the context of the scene. We have already said the song is our rendition of Bhar Do Jholi made famous by Sabri brothers. It clearly says the song is recreated by Pritam. Now, who exactly is the person one has to ask permission for becomes a legal issue. Legally who is the heir to Sabri brothers is something they have to figure out. If there is any issue, it will be handled and whoever needs credit, will be given.

How did you cast the little girl Harshali Malhotra? Did you see her in ads and serials?
No, I saw her in the auditions. Her casting was most important because if we didn’t get the correct girl, the film wouldn’t work. We auditioned thousands of girls from Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Kashmir, Chandigarh even Tehran and Kabul. Harshali is from Delhi. I was not looking just for a cute face or acting ability. Every six-year-old can act, it depends on the director what he brings out. But in Harshali I saw a burning desire, a motivation to be a part of the film. You are shooting over a period of four-five months in difficult locations and attention span of a little girl can be very small. But Harshali has given an outstanding performance.

Didn’t you think of casting your own daughter, Saira?
Honestly I did. In fact, Salman was very keen that I cast her. He is very close to my kids Saira and Vivaan and he felt that Saira, who is also six years old would be the perfect Munni. However, I wanted to go through the entire exercise and cast a girl who is 100 per cent correct. Saira was my safety net. Now, Saira and Harshali are very good friends and she wants to see Bajrangi Bhaijaan for her friend and not because it’s her father’s film!

Are you planning another film with Salman?
We have a comfort zone when we work together. He is a megastar and lot of stories can be made with him, but right now I haven’t decided. After Ek Tha Tiger I had the story of Phantom in mind, which I did with Saif Ali Khan. But it just so happens, that Bajrangi Bhaijaan is releasing first. After Phantom releases I will take a couple of months off — both the films have been demanding and ambitious ventures requiring a lot of travel. I need two months for clarity of mind.

Why has Phantom got delayed?
It is completely ready and was to release on April 3, but UTV which is producing the film got a vacant slot on August 28 as Jagga Jasoos had been pushed. They wanted me to release then because it’s a Rakhi weekend.

Isn’t that a thriller too?
Yes, it’s an out and out political thriller (based on the backdrop of 26/11 Mumbai attack). As a director, it’s a very important film for me. It’s a new commercial cinema. The youth want their thrillers in a certain way and not diluted by usual elements of mainstream cinema.

Who are the filmmakers who have impressed you?
Out of the current crop I enjoy Rajkumar Hirani’s films. He reflects the issues we face in society brilliantly and narrates it with humour. He keeps the context very real. His films are entertaining. He is on top-of-the-list for me.

Do you watch all Bolly films or selective ones?
I watch a lot of Bollywood films, but in the last two years have missed a lot. Recently, I liked Piku and enjoyed Dil Dhadakne Do.

Will we see you and Yash Raj Films working together again?
YRF is home to me. My first three films — Kabul Express, New York and Ek Tha Tiger — are with them. I owe a lot to Adi (Aditya Chopra). He helped me to become what I am today. I am still very close to him and I would love to work with him.

Do you miss making documentaries?
Yes, I really miss making documentaries because that has a completely different thrill. I miss that thrill. Unfortunately, I haven’t had much time for it since I have started making feature films. Documentaries are very different in its process from a feature. In a feature, you are trying to control every element to show the scene shot the way it is. In a documentary, you are reacting to whatever’s happening around you. You react instinctively and capture it in the best way possible. It has a very personal approach.