OTT is on equal footing in terms of release preferences for filmmakers: Ruslaan Mumtaz

‘Oye Mamu!’, which explores the heist genre with a quirky sense of humour, is set to be the first Hindi film to premiere on BookMyShow, India’s largest entertainment ticket booking service. The first poster of the film was released on August 6, 2021, while the trailer was recently released.

The family-friendly laugh riot features lead actors Ruslaan Mumtaz and Kulraj Randhawa with veterans like Gulshan Grover, Brijendra Kala, Asrani, Tiku Talsania and Mohan Kapoor.

Written and directed by Vikram Singh, ‘Oye Mamu!’ has been produced by Nikhil Panchamiya and Dilip Bafna, and presented by Fourth Wall Entertainment.

In conversation with Adgully, actor Ruslaan Mumtaz speaks about his experience working with Gulshan Grover and Asrani, what made him choose this character and much more.

You have acted in various formats – from doing TV shows, to web shows to short films and feature films. Is your approach different for different formats?

I think as an actor, you essentially don multiple skins with each character, regardless of the format. However, there is a degree of basic differences in the formats. In films, you have a set amount of time to express what you want in a three hour window, whereas a web series gives me the space and time to flesh out my character more. Both are a fun challenge of sorts, to recognise how you can do justice to the character. 

‘Oye Mamu!’ is a total laugh riot. Tell us a little more about your character and the film.

Laugh riot is how I would describe it as well! I play an eccentric uncle to the most adorable little nephew. My character is a wannabe entrepreneur with the absolute worst ideas that he thinks are total winners. He gets involved in a diamond robbery and is chased by both the police and the gangsters. Wrong place, wrong time, but it is incredibly fun to watch him flail about. 

How was it to be on sets and work with legendary actors like Gulshan Grover, Asrani Ji? What did you learn from them? 

I think we all have this sixth sense of understanding whenever we are in the presence of something or someone great. This feeling is exactly what I felt when I worked with both of those legends. Gulshan Ji is the most magnetic personality, with this instant platonic bond that he cements. His advice to me was consistency in good work and a belief in oneself.

I would describe Asrani Ji as the literal sun. He’s so bright and positive, always lighting up every room he steps in. It was an honest privilege to have the opportunity to work with him. 

Given that the world has gone through a challenging time with the pandemic, do you think ‘Oye Mamu!’ will hit the right chord with children and families craving for humour and laughter?

The pandemic has been this unexpected curveball that set us all off track. Everyone lost someone or something and it’s really difficult to keep your spirits high when you see the state the world is in. Cinema offers momentary respite from the blues and rightly so. We all deserve to sit back and let go and laugh for a couple of hours. I think ‘Oye Mamu!’ is exactly the sort of film to help brighten up your day. It’s a film you can watch with the entire family and I think that is kind of rare these days. I look forward to audience reactions to our little project. 

We are hearing some very good things about the music of the film. Please tell us more about it.

Thank you for loving the soundtrack, it means a lot. The music of a film is like the tie that brings together the vibe of the entire movie. We aimed to nail the peppy nature of the film itself and with Sandesh Shandilya and Swanand Kirkire as the men behind the scenes, we are glad the effort is being recognised. My personal favourite has to be the song ‘Paisa’, that makes me bop my head every time it comes on. 

‘Oye Mamu!’ has taken an interesting route to release with Book My Show Stream and then later on to an OTT platform. With cinemas not opening completely, do you think more and more such options will come into play?

As Bob Dylan rightly said, ‘Times they are a-changin’. We are in an era of great possibility as well as equal uncertainty. The permutations of what works and what doesn't change each day. However, I feel like OTT is on an equal footing in terms of release preferences for filmmakers and we’ll be seeing a lot of innovation in the release space as well. I can’t wait to see where entertainment goes next!