DNA Exclusive: 'Sushant would dance on SRK songs in middle of the street', recalls 'Dil Bechara' director Mukesh Chhabra

While thinking about Sushant Singh Rajput and 'Dil Bechara' ahead of interviewing Mukesh Chhabra, I heard a soft voice. On the other line, was the director of the film. In a calm voice, he spoke to DNA over the telephone about the late actor and their upcoming movie 'Dil Bechara', which happens to be Sushant's last film.

Sushant Singh Rajput and his love for Shah Rukh Khan is not unknown. Mukesh revealed that the actor used to croon SRK songs and even dance to them, on 'Dil Bechara' sets, right after an emotional scene. While also talking about the songs Sushant used to dance on, Mukesh gave us an insight into the life of 'Dil Bechara' and working with Sushant Singh Rajput again after casting the late actor in his debut film 'Kai Po Che', among other things.

For the uninitiated, Mukesh and Sushant were like brothers, and like promised, they were there for one another when Mukesh made his directorial debut with 'The Fault In Our Stars' adaptation.

Excerpts from the interview:

What intrigued you to make your directorial debut with The Fault In Our Stars adaptation?

When I read the script, I was very emotionally moved. So I thought this is the right film to tell the story. Fox Star had approached me and I really liked the story a lot. Since I'm also a very emotional person, so I immediately connected with the story and said yes.

Would you agree, that like in the film, Sushant knew how to live life king size?

Yes, absolutely. He completely believed in that mantra.

Sanjana keeps posting videos of him, where the two were dancing. What was your experience on sets while shooting him?

My experience with him was very personal and emotional, mainly because we promised each other that when I make my directorial debut, we will work together. So for me, the experience was very different. We never treated each other like actor and director.  We were always like brothers. Any time he used to work in an emotional scene, I got emotional. Then I always gave a 10-minute break to everyone, because we were all emotionally moved.

Did he also do anything to cheer you up on the sets? Any memories of that?

Yeah, lots. After every emotional scene, when we had to unwind, I used to play Shah Rukh Khan songs and he would dance like SRK all the time. We used to order food, and Sushant would sing and dance on Shah Rukh Khan songs all the time. Whenever you play Shah Rukh Khan song, he would start dancing.

'Sushant would start dancing on 'Tumko Paaya Hai Toh Jaise Khoya Ho' on 'Dil Bechara' sets'

Which was the very common song you played?

'Mujhko Kya Hua Hai' ('Koi Mil Gaya' from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai), and 'Tumko Paaya Hai Toh Jaise Khoya Ho' ('Main Agar Kahoon' from Om Shanti Om).

After Sushant said 'I am not fine, but will be,' in your last text to him, what did you feel? Was that usual, introvert Sushant?

When somebody is saying that they will call you back, that is exactly what I thought.

Paris seems to play a very important role in the film. Do you have special memories of that place while shooting the film?

There is a reason I deliberately shot all the tourist places there. If you have to go somewhere, then you will go to all the famous places. Even in the song 'Khulke Jeene Ka', I kept it absolutely simple. The thought process was asking them to walk while I was shooting. I just asked them to be natural - go shopping or simply roam around. I didn't want to direct that sequence.

Did you have a wishlist that you people completed while visiting Paris?

We wanted to eat pasta there. After the shoot, we used to go there. We all checked in advance (around afternoon time) which place is best to dine in.

'I thought he wanted to call back'

You have seen Sanjana from 'Rockstar' and decided to cast her in your debut film. Has her method of preparing or anything changed since then?

When I found her for 'Rockstar', she didn't want to act. I had to speak to her mother to cast her because she was in ninth class. After 'Rockstar', she started enjoying the process. In college, she got into drama and did advertisement and a few cameos ('Hindi Medium' and 'Fukrey 2'). Then she did a couple of workshops with me. I do workshops twice or thrice in a year, and seeing her grow there, I thought she was absolutely right for 'Dil Bechara'. She fit the needs of the character. I love bringing talent in the industry.

From a renowned casting director to making your debut as a film director, you most definitely have seen the industry inside-out. So what are your views about the ongoing debate?

I only know one thing - whoever is talented, cannot be stopped. I have been doing that since the past 15 years. It is all about talent.

You have taken some veteran actors like Swastika and Subbalakshmi in the movie too. Sushant was also seen bonding with both. Was that how you remember him - as someone who gels with every person on the set?

Yeah, he's a very chilled-out and charming guy. Nobody can meet Sushant Singh Rajput for five minutes. You have to spend two hours minimum with him. He was everyone's favourite on the sets. I just spoke about his energy, right? He dances in the middle of the road, so it's obvious that he would receive a lot of love.

How did you end up casting the veteran actors?

I wanted a Bengali in real life to play parents to Kizie Basu (a role which Sanjana portrays). That is how I roped in Swastika. On the other hand, I wanted to show that Sushant lives with his Tamilian grandmother, so Subbalakshmi came into the picture.

'Whoever is talented, cannot be stopped'

The shooting of the film stopped for a brief period, but eventually, the movie was completed and is now slated for release. How do you feel about the whole experience?

Everybody faces hurdles, but I just had to keep working on. Finally, it is releasing, and see the response.

From his debut in Kai Po Che for which you cast Sushant, to his last film Dil Bechara, which is your directorial debut, you have seen Sushant through most of his professional career. What do your memories of him look like?

The detailed work he used to do, that was commendable. Even during 'Kedarnath', he set up his room like Kedarnath. Similarly, with 'M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story' he was always playing cricket. His detailing of every character, thus, became very important. In my film too, he is supposed to have a problem with his leg and there was detailing there too. He always wrote the emotional graph of the scenes, and how he would like to shoot the scenes. I have seen very few actors use detailing like him.

Was he a spontaneous actor or stuck to his lines?

He was spontaneous but is always around the script only. He used to add minor details to make the film look beautiful.