I want to work with every star: Bhushan Kumar

Fifteen films on the cards! That’s a lot. What do you say?
Yes, I want to be known as a big producer now. I want myself and my company T-Series to be known as a brand. I have signed Vikram Bhatt for a five-film contract where we will be exploring different genres.

One is a big budget extravanganza — Creature — with Bipasha Basu; an erotic thriller and the sequel to Hate Story; a thriller Bhaag Johny Bhaag with Kunal Khemu and two more projects which are under development.

I am doing a couple of films with Rohan Sippy. Then there’s  Aashiqui 2 with the Bhatts. I am emotionally attached to Aashiqui as it was my father’s first feature film 23 ago. I was only 10 years old then. I decided to produce it because so many succesful sequels were happening. The memories of my father associated with Aashiqui came rushing to me. I feel my father is with me always.

You have always been very low-profile...
Initially I was quite shy when I entered the film industry but I had to force myself to change because of the kind of business I am in. Also, I was mainly involved with music for which I was pretty much in the sidelines. I was like a businessman, not so much a producer. I used to do films occasionally — maybe one film in a year.

So I wasn’t interacting with the media. Now because I am making more than 10 films a year I need to become the face of my studio. I am making many films and also doing joint ventures. I realise that it’s a show business.

The more you are seen in media, the more people talk about you, the more people approach you and want to get associated with you. So yes, it is a very well-thought out strategy. I have decided to market myself and my company to the hilt.

You and Salman Khan are very close but you haven’t worked together after Ready.
That’s not true. I have also done the music of Bodyguard, Dabangg 2, now I am doing Mental and then I will do Kick. I do the music for all his films. His family and friends just give it to me. As far as films are concerned, I am thankful he did Ready with me. Many people were in line but he completed Ready for me.

After that he had many  commitments. I am close to him but I can’t tell him to leave all these people and work only in my films. He has to fulfil his commitements to everyone. He never denies my anything. When I went to him asking to produce Mental, he was okay but then there were other commitments like satellite rights which were already made so it was too late to get into it.

You have never worked with Shah Rukh Khan. Is it because you are close to Salman?
It’s got nothing to do with my friendship with Salman.  Salmanbhai has never said to me anything. As an individual corporate house I am approaching everyone. That way so many stars have never worked with me before.

For the past six months I have met everyone from Hrithik Roshan to Shah Rukh to Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan. Everyone now knows that I want to make films in a big way. Earlier I wasn’t so serious. I would meet people for the music rights of their films. Now things are moving and I have great relations with everybody so they are all open to  working with me. It’s just the matter of time. Once that clicks I will start working with everyone. I want to work with every star!

What’s next?
I am doing two films with Milan Luthria, which will happen next year. One of them will star Saif Ali Khan. We have also just signed Ranbir Kapoor and Jacqueline Fernandes, for a romantic action thriller titled Roy, directed by his childhood friend Vicky Singh. We have also signed a film with Madhur Bhandarkar.

We haven’t finalised the cast as yet. Madhur and I are trying to make a mix of commercial yet sensible cinema. This time because I am co-producing with him as he wants great music in his film. We have signed a three film deal with Umesh Shukla (Oh My God director). He has fantastic ideas. The first one will be a family comedy drama and stars Abhishek Bachchan.
In 20013-14 we have over 12 films in production and in the process of finalising a couple more in the next two months.

Why so many films?
I am trying for joint ventures, co-productions, solo productions. Like my music company, I want to see my production house going from strength to strength and for that I need to make good films that make excellent box office revenues. That will ensure my standing as an established producer. All I need is three hits to become a big producer. Even Balaji produced films that didn’t do well but after a few back-to-back hits they have now made a name for themselves.