The tamasha called 'Nautanki Saala'

Nautanki is akin to every Indian for we are born Dramebaaz and Ramesh Sippy could not have delighted the audience more, by coming out with a film named Nautanki Saala, a complete paisa vasool film which will hook one and all. Directed by Rohan Sippy, starring Ayushmaan Khurana (of Vicky Donor fame) and Kunal Roy Kapoor (aka Nitin Beri of Delhi Belly) the film will hit the theatres on April 12th, 2013. Adgully was present at the first theatrical launch of the film in Cinemax on February 6th.

The trailer promises a pot boiler Hindi film with all the necessary ingredients of comedy, satire, love triangle and so on. The film is about the life of two theatre actors Ayushman and Kunal with Ramayan as the play to be enacted on the stage of the film. Ayushman is to be seen playing the character of Ram in the film, with Raavan as the character he portrays on stage. The dichotomy in his role triggers hilarious situations and allows the story of the film to roll.

Interestingly enough everyone kept the nautanki element alive whether it was Rohan Sippy, the director of the film or Ramesh Sippy, the producer. From a highly dramatized entry of Ayushmaan and Kunal to hearing over the top nautanki baaz answers, we witnessed it all. In tete-a-tete with Ayushman, Kunal, Ramesh Sippy, Rohan Sippy and Bhushan Kumar we heard the following.

Ayushman on being asked about imitating actors, he candidly replied that he considered imitation as the best form of compliment for any actor. An actor needs to be recognized and loved enough to be imitated. (Ayushman has imitated Shahrukh Khan in the film). Giving him company Rohan Sippy voiced out that imitation of these stars was a nice way to salute them. Thus subtle references to Shahrukh, Salman and Aamir are to be found in the film.

As the saying goes where there is media there is a controversy. We did ask him about the controversy over the release of Kamal Hassan’s Vishwaroopam and their individual opinion on it. Ramesh Sippy did not hesitate to answer that freedom of speech is our fundamental right and denial of it amounts to a breach of constitutional law. Everyone has a right to express their view but stalling the release of a film on grounds of objectionable material even before seeing it, is not acceptable. Let the film be released, if there is something objectionable according to you then you may protest about it peacefully. Rohan Sippy added a thought to his father’s words that the censorship board has given an approval thus the film has the right to be exhibited on all grounds. The subject of the protest becomes irrelevant if we have the proper mandatory censor certificate.

When asked about their film being dragged into a controversy by portraying Ram (played by Ayushman in the film) in a different light.  Rohan answered with vigor that it is in the hands of the media to not to play upon a trivial issue. He asked the media to not to stand in the way and create trouble, for anarchy is no solution. We need to protect the fundamental laws and educate people and we need the support of the media in our endeavor.

The next question to Ayushman was whether he was under any pressure to churn out a hit like his first film. Ayushman replied with his carefree charm that he is under no pressure; neither is he stressed since Nautanki Saala is a film by Ramesh Sippy and his association with a brand who made a hit like Sholay does not entail him to take any pressure. Rohan Sippy’s remarks on being questioned about the hundred crore club was, that it was something that he did not bother about. According to him it is just another number. He believes that he only needs to keep his investors happy and the audience who pays to see his film. The numbers are nothing but the working of the mainstream media who are taking this concept forward.

The interaction could not have ended on a better note with Ramesh Sippy in a true nautanki style took the names of Ayushman and Kunal as protagonists perfect to play the lead of Jai and Veeru in the remake of Sholay. If this dramebaazi was not enough he suggested his own name to play the character of Gabbar Singh.

Well, the release date of Nautanki Saala may be far enough but going by the first trailer we cannot promise how much nautanki will continue till the last date and how much will the audiences incorporate within them! | By Rabab Rupawala [rabab(at)adgully.com]