Source: Indiaglitz
Debuting as a producer, Siddharth is on cloud nine. In fact, he is apparently not a bit nervous about Love Failure. Listening him speak so confidently about the first-of-its-kind film on Indian screen, you will think that the success of the film is a foregone conclusion for him. Going by the promise it holds, LF is indeed a potential hit.
In this exclusive chat with IndiaGlitz, Sid speaks at length about his Feb. 17 release, talks about his convictions, and shares much more for the first time. Watch him talk frankly in the most important interview he has given in the recent times. Excerpts:
I happened to watch a ten-minute video on You Tube uploaded by one guy. I found it so very novel that I started to feel embarrassed. After being in the industry for so many years, many of us could not come out with such innovative ideas. I immediately wanted to get in touch with the mind behind it. To my utter surprise, I found him in the office of a friend in Chennai. When he developed the story into a two-hour film, it had earlier been compressed into that short video.On how Love Failure happened:
Because I wanted to make a different and honest film as a first-time producer, I decided to produce it myself. He came up with a bound Hollywood-style script. I made up my mind to make the film with the appropriate budget and give it a good release.
On Love Failure the film:
I will call LF a “small big film”. I will call it a cute, experimental film; but I will also call it a commercial one. There is no message and no melodrama here. I promise that this film, unlike my previous films, will not make you sob. You will come out with a smile on your face.
For the first time in our cinema, the hero (Arun) behaves like one among the audience from the beginning. He involves them through his conversations with them. The film begins with a break-up. There is reverse narration at some places, the film flits between past and present. It is not limited to one pair. The hero’s friends too have a story. It shows what happens after the marriage. It is a romantic comedy with multiple stories thrown in. Thaman would say that after watching LF successful couples might break up and those not getting along well will patch up.
The film raises certain real questions like why we fall in love, etc. It entertains, it confuses you. Regardless of your age, you will relate to the story very well. I promise that you are going to see a new world. It is not a film for the industry. It is common man’s cinema. This film will be taken up as an example by many after its release.
On his character in LF:
I play a college student hear. Though initially I was a bit apprehensive about playing a college buddy at 32, I was pleasantly surprised when I watched the rushes. I am looking younger than I look in the mirror. My character has no heroic or cinematic frills attached to it. I play a totally normal one. The mannerisms and expressions are very real. I would say that I acted less and lived the role more.
On learning from Aamir Khan:
While shooting for Rang De Basanti, I would wonder why such a big star like Aamir gels along with the rest of us like an ordinary star. It was only later that the reason revealed itself to me when he said that a film is for all ages, not just for the present. I have imbibed his dedication and that feeling in me.
On Balaji Mohan, the director:
I am awed at the vision and creativity of this young man. If the film is so different, full credit goes to him. LF follows from his vision.
On music by Thaman:
Thaman has given a beautiful music. He worked as if it was his own production. That he is my friend helped a lot, but he was inspired to give that very different output. After scoring for the movies like Dookudu and Businessman, he was excited to work for this romantic film. He exudes that child-like excitement. Listening to the music, nobody would guess that it is Thaman’s work.
Every song was in a sense very risky. We wanted them to be not so regular and thus asked Srimani (lyricist) to push the envelope. This young man’s prolific contribution was in no less way helpful. He completely digested the madness of LF.
On his involvement in films:
I always make sure that we choose the right musician and right cinematographer for our film. Their technique is quite important, because they develop things extempore. That’s why you see that the cinematographers of all my films were quite good talent. Coming to working with a musician, I never believe in making specifications to him. We give him the story and lead scene and ask him to belt out the tune. Good music will come out this way.
On being first-time producer:
It feels proud and amazing that things fell in place. The correct budget and completion in the time frame are very important. Of course, the biggest victory is when the audience lap up your film. I am very confident that they will like it.
On choosing Amala Paul:
I wanted to go for a new girl; I did not want a heroine from Mumbai or Chennai who drops on the sets as if she was giving a darshan. But choosing a new girl was not an easy job. At that time, we zeroed in Amala Paul. She proved a right choice; she understood the character very quickly and gave a natural performance.
On his “image”:
I do not believe in any image. If people call me ‘chocolate boy’, ‘lover boy’, et al, who can stop them? On my part, I would like to be called a good artist. After LF, I will love if people say that Sid should come next with an experimental film and another section say that he should come up with a romantic film. I have not given a single blockbuster in the last five years. Why are producers investing in me. My films are made at Rs. 10 cr. I have no god father in the industry. It is because I constantly try to do something new and because I work hard that people like making films with me. I like the heroines to be depicted sans vulgarity in my films.
I cannot bear hearing someone say, “Siddharth is routine etc”. For me, hits and flops are unpredictable. I put the same effort to the biggest hit and the worst flop.
I
People are wrong when say that the audience are not yet ready for experimental cinema. Whenever I have been to the places like Vizag, etc., people say that the filmmakers should make different films. It is nonsensical to place the burden on the audience if we are not willing/capable to make experiments. I think LF is a small step in the right direction.On what audience want:
On the “inevitability” of multi-starrers:
I think we are going to see lot of changes in the next 3-4 years. Gone are the days when the audience used to go to the theatre as if it was a temple. These days films have to make their money in the first two weeks. Given this scenario, there is an increasing tendency among the producers to make multi-lingual films.
At this rate, multi-starrers are only inevitable. We first need to put the term in the right perspective. If two or more superstars team up, you call it a multi-starrer. For example SVSC is an example of a multi-starrer. Rang De Basanti is an example of ensemble cast. If a superstar here is willing to rope me in, I will be happy to be part of the film (provided, of course, he likes the script, which, he says, is always his first criterion). I say that we are living in exciting times.
On missing a K Vishwanath:
I wish I was born when a K Vishwanath garu or a Jandhyala garu were making films. It is wondrous that I am still able to hold my ground despite the absence of such filmmakers. I would like to work with fresh directors. That’s why I am quite popular with assistant directors.
On the LF tour:
I would like to invite all IndiaGlitz viewers/readers to be part of our Love Failure tour in the coming days. Please do join me!
