Amar Kaushik’s woman 2 (2024) is the highest grossing Bollywood film of all time. Still, the director remains humble and down to earth, just like he was on his directorial debut, WomanIt surprisingly became a super-hit. The horror comedy universe started with the 2018 film and now, it’s taken to another level. recently released ThammaAyushmann Khurrana, starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Rashmika Mandanna, is the latest entrant in the universe and it has been accepted successfully, as evident from the first two days’ figures. In an exclusive interview with IHNSAmar Kaushik told about the production ThammaThe process followed in adding characters to the universe and much more.
Exclusive: From hooking up a woman to planting secret Easter eggs – MHCU’s ‘Dad’ Amar Kaushik gives a masterclass in universe-building; Breaks silence on censor cuts: “‘I will give you freedom’ Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose said for a larger purpose; CBFC’s point was valid…”
Let’s start with your energetic, dancing cameo in the song ‘poison child’You always have such cameos, even in your earlier films…
(laughs) It all started with the first part WomanI’m used to acting out scenes for actors. I also insist, ‘don’t do like me But something on these lines. So, for the beggar scene, it was Rajkummar Rao’s suggestion that I should act. He told me, ‘you are the one Role will do’And during the shooting of the song ‘Kamariya’We were all excited and I decided ‘Let’s get into it’It was a fun experience and the film was a hit. Then, everyone insisted that I should keep doing such cameos. So, I had to attend Bala (2019), wolf (2022), woman 2 and now in ThammaIn WomanI appear as a beggar twice and I am also dancing in the song ‘Kamariya’,
Oh yes. The only dual role cameo by a director in the history of Indian cinema!
(smiling) Actually, I appeared three times WomanNot twice! When Rajkumar and Shraddha were listening to headphones in the auto rickshaw, the person sitting next to them was me! This happened because I had no choice. I had to look at the monitor and there was no follow-up car. So I was sitting at the back and by chance my face was visible. But the shot went well and that’s how it made it into the film.
Talking about Thamma, how was the reaction?
It was great. Now gradually the worlds of the universe are getting connected; Our aim was to ensure that characters from different films collide with each other. Thankfully the audience is accepting it.
There was a tremendous reaction in my show as soon as Janardan aka JD (Abhishek Banerjee) appeared on the screen. I think it worked because we didn’t know it was there. The only thing we expected from Elvis Karim Prabhakar (Satyaraj) was the way he was shown in the trailer…
If I had my way, I would not have shown it even to Satyaraj. But I think we have to show a little glimpse to excite the audience.
What made you and Dinesh Vijan believe that Aditya Sarpotdar could direct? ThammaWas the decision taken following his instructions Munjya,
Yes. We liked the way Aditya performed MunjyaThat’s when I told him about this idea ThammaHe liked it and joined in. Anyway, I can’t direct every film; Otherwise, they will all look the same. Different directors will provide a different touch. Of course, the characters are mine and I know how they would react in any other film, which is not directed by me. Furthermore, they are all connected. Thankfully, Aditya understood where I was coming from because he is very sharp. He is a person of very calm nature and good heart. These factors also inspired us to direct ThammaAnd he has done a very good job.
How do you and Dinesh divide the responsibilities of vision production?
Dinu is my bouncing board. I share all my thoughts with them, even strange The ones. like, for ThammaMy hypothesis was that the wolf should be even bigger than before. I will share this with them and also tell them how to take the film forward with different twists in the story. In return, he would say to me, ‘You decide if you feel it fits the world you’ve created.’ I feel like he’s like a grandfather and I’m the dad of this universe (laughs). I mean it’s like a family where everyone is doing their due responsibilities.
I am also one of those who take into account that there have already been 4 movies in the universe and many more to come. So, we need to add breadcrumbs. Accordingly, I say to Aditya, ‘in this These Add cheese, this talk make me speak Because it will have relevance later. Our roadmap is ready and we have a basic idea of where the story will go from here. Yet, at times we feel, ‘We missed connecting the dots; Let’s do this next time’. It’s like a puzzle and we are trying to solve it.
Tell us about the casting process…
Ayushmann Khurrana and I have been thinking about this story since the Covid period. This was the time when I was going to direct it. I remember I went to his house and told him this. His daughter also heard the story and enjoyed it. I told Ayushmann, ‘This is my audience’! So, Ayushmann was there from the beginning. In the process, ideas changed. after woman 2We added a few more bits.
As far as Nawazuddin Siddiqui is concerned, he is a brilliant actor. I was clear that just because Yakshasan is a villain, he doesn’t need to be scary. The idea was that a person may not be physically afraid, yet must still induce fear. I wanted to work with him for a long time. i met him Thamma And told him that there was not much screen time for the role. But I assured him that his character would have great relevance going forward. He immediately agreed.
Paresh Rawal sir also came on board immediately. after seeing woman 2He came out of the theatre. He called me and said, ‘You have created such a big creation. Consider actors like us too. I told them, ‘We were unable to do this woman 2 was the sequel to Woman And so, the same characters should be there’. However, I assured him that I would give him a role. 20 days later, I gave him the details of Thamma And he liked it.
Similarly, Rashmika Mandanna was signed because she was suitable for the role.
‘I can’t stop laughing when Nawazuddin’s character sings’‘Let me become a bird’It has the Amar Kaushik trademark stamp because you love adding things like that. ‘Hey sir’ a little inside wolf Also worked for a long time. Apart from this, jokes like Paresh calling Ayushmann ‘Ayushmann Bhava’ and making fun of Nawazuddin’What Betal You will become me Made me laugh a lot…
(laughs) I like this kind of humor. Writer Niren Bhatt and I think alike and enjoy such jokes. We love to give a funny, twisted meaning to a song or dialogue. Some people complain that meme culture is entering films. But aren’t memes a part of our lives? It’s a great way to connect with the youth and makes the film a product of today’s times. Actually, after 20 years when people will see Thamma Or Womanthey would say, ‘ok at that time MEME I walked a lot’,
Besides, we shouldn’t be serious about these things while making an entertaining film. Undoubtedly, we are raising a big issue. In ThammaThe Betalas have stopped drinking human blood because they feel ‘Poison has entered the blood of humans.This is a deep thought and you will find things like this also. But you can add such jokes for entertainment. And which song to use is a challenge. For example, all the ADs and other people on the team had objections to ‘Hey sir’ jokingly wolfHe said, ‘These Work won’t do’I told them, ‘Keep quiet. These Work will do’ (laughing)! I believed it would work.
So, do you feel sad when censors spoil the game? There was a funny dialogue in the film when Alok (Ayushmann Khurrana) is trapped in the dungeon. Yakshasan wants to drink his blood. He tells him’You give me blood, I will give you freedom’But due to CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) it was changed. So, did the dialogue change disappoint you?
No, because it is their responsibility. He argued that dialogue’you give me blood, I will give you freedom’ Said by a great freedom fighter (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose). Also, it was said for a larger purpose while we were using it in a different way. I found their reason valid and decided to make changes in the dialogue. In fact, ‘you give me blood i give you blood ‘I indulge in debauchery’ This brought more laughter.
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More Pages: Thamma Box Office Collection, Thamma Movie Review
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