Mahesh Bhatt, Pooja Bhatt, Deepak Tijori’s ‘Tipppsy’ walk down memory lane

Actor-turned-director Deepak Tijori is gearing up for his latest film, ‘Tipppsy’, which he has also co-produced and written and stars in, along with Alankrita Sahai, Natasha Suri, Kainaat Arora, Nazia Hussain, Sonia Birje, and others. The recent trailer launch of ‘Tipppsy’ saw Deepak teaming up with Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt.

Mahesh, who has worked with Deepak in several films, was all praise for ‘Tipppsy’ and declared, “I will say it loud and clear – this film will be a hit. Every filmmaker longs to hear these words, but I can smell a hit here! The film has got vitality, it’s got energy, and a very clear, engaging and unpretentious narrative. ‘Tipppsy’ caters to the times that we currently live in. We have attention deficit, where content – only compelling content – which has got a certain amount of energy, vitality and sensuality will work. I think this film packs in everything.”

Speaking further, Mahesh said, “I think Deepak makes a very promising entry. He seems to be the antagonist, who is going to give the girls a tough time. I hope they don't have an unhappy ending. I want the girls to go back home unscathed after the adventure. When I see those guys who spike their drinks, I want to give them a bloody nose!”

Without giving out much about the story plot, Mahesh said, “I am happy that the film has got a UA certification. Guess you should have got an AA certification. But that’s for people of yesteryears like me, who belong to a mindset where we were very, very prudish in approach; the times have changed, and I think it has the buzz and the vitality of today.”

Calling Deepak her good friend, Pooja Bhatt reminisced about the old days when Deepak would drop her home after she had had a few drinks too many. It is a known fact that for some time Pooja had a problem with alcohol, but she proudly said, “Now I am drunk on life and I am seven and a half years sober.”

During those dark days, Deepak turned out to be a trusted friend, who would not just drop her home, but also cleaned up her mess and remind her about what had happened the previous night, which she couldn’t recall. Speaking further about their deep friendship, Pooja said, “He is my sober friend who is high on life and morals. Which is why when I used to get tipsy in my life, my sober friend used to be my support. He never judged me. He has been tolerating me for the past 30 years. In the world of unreality, it is nice to have real friend in the real world. He is my 4 am friend whom I can call. Even if we don’t call each other for ten years, we pick up from where we had left off.”

She further said, “Now Deepak has made this film called ‘Tipppsy’, whereas in real life he has never touched alcohol in his life! I am delighted to be standing here with my dear friend and cheer for him. I am so proud of you, Deepak.”

Recalling the time when they had first met, Pooja said, “I met Deepak first as an actor. He was on the sets of ‘Ashiqui’ and he walked in a superior style because he knew that he was the best actor on the sets. I was supposed to do that film but I left it. When he found out he asked me why I had left the film. I said “for love”. He called me a “bewakoof” (fool). When I got to know that he had done his LLB, I remarked “and still you are acting, bewakoof”. We have been friends since then. I was in his first film which he produced, ‘Pehla Nasha’. He has also been there for every milestone in my life. I have also been there for every milestone in his life. May there be many more milestones. Maybe we will work together soon.”

“I can still pretend to be drunk. I don’t have to be drunk in real life to be in ‘Tipppsy Part 2,” she joked.

Recalling the message that Mahesh had given him when he had directed his first film, Deepak said, “Mahesh saab told me “from now on you don’t have any free time, there is nothing called free time. Because every time when you are not working, you will be writing a script and thinking about a story and you will be making a film. This is what your life is going to be from here on”. That is something I have always lived with. I will never give up. I always remember that moment when I am not doing anything, then I think I want to do this and I remember that conversation, I keep writing and from there ‘Tipppsy’ was born.”

The film stars five actresses. Talking about the cast, Deepak said. “I am thankful to all the girls; they were extremely cooperative and have gone out of their way. They have played characters that are nowhere close to what they are in reality. They actually transformed like you have seen. On screen they have performed so differently. While I was apprehensive at first, but I am happy to have these five girls.”