Kunal recalls that for his film Hum Tum they had to go to three other leading men before they zeroed in on Saif Ali Khan.
Kunal Kohli's debut film Phir Se as a leading man is being readied for a summer release. And Kunal is looking forward to sharing the debutant awards with fellow-filmmaker Prakash Jha who also makes his debut as the male protagonist in his film Jai Gangaajal. Last year, filmmaker Karan Johar played the chief antagonist in Anuarg Kashyap's Bombay Velvet.
So are we, then,seeing a revival of Guru Dutt's director-as-hero era? Says Kunal, "I don't know if it's a trend. Sometimes it's just a necessity.When Guru Dutt did Pyaasa he wasn't his own first choice. He had to step in when Dilip Kumar refused to do the role. Very often, the director knows his characters better than anyone else and is better equipped to step into a role than anyone else."
Kunal recalls that for his film Hum Tum they had to go to three other leading men before they zeroed in on Saif Ali Khan. "Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Vivek Oberoi turned down Hum Tum. Saif was the fourth choice, and he turned out to be just right for the role. For all we know, Prakash Jha and I may be the best people to play the characters in Jai Gangaajal and Phir Se."
Kunal is very impressed by what he has seen of Prakash Jha's acting in Jai Gangaajal. "He is so much in character. I can see he has done a really good job. I hope people would say the same about me when they see Phir Se. "
He adds that he would be most happy to share the best debutant awards with Prakash Jha. "Two 40-plus directors-turned-actors winning best debutant awards, would be unique. I'd love that to happen. I've always looked up to Prakash. Recently I was thrilled to show him some of my songs from Phir Se."
Unlike director Nishikant Kamat who found playing the villain in his film Rocky Handsome too much of a responsibility. Kunal enjoyed facing the camera under his own direction. "I saw my part as an extension of my other duties as a director. I knew every line that my character had to speak and the lines of others.So it was not difficult for me." Kunal is looking at an early release of Phir Se. "It's a crowded year. We have to find the right window this Summer."
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