- 17 hours ago
Mumbai, Maharashtra: In an exclusive interview with IANS, filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani and actor Arshad Warsi recently opened up about their upcoming cybercrime drama Pritam Pedro and how the series will be different from other cybercrime dramas. In the interview, Arshad further shared his views on the difference between old-school actors and new-school actors, recalling how one actor went for a massage just after a few shots. Rajkumar Hirani spoke about how SRK, Sanjay Dutt, Ranbir Kapoor, and Vicky Kaushal never complained about working hours. Raju Hirani said he has never faced any problem with actors, and no actor has told him they will work only for limited hours. He gave the example of Ranbir Kapoor, who would come at 3 am for _Sanju_’s makeup. Arshad also shared that he is not well-versed with tech and revealed how he accidentally went live on Instagram. The actor also answered whether he has ever been a victim of cybercrime. Later, Arshad shared his experience of working with Vir Hirani, who played Circuit’s son in Munnabhai. Rajkumar Hirani also shared if he gives advice to his son Vir Hirani, who plays Pritam in the series. Both of them also spoke about their experience working with actor Vikrant Massey in the series and discussed the next sequel of Munnabhai.
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00:00Welcome to INS both of you sir. First thing first, this is third collaboration between you and Arshad sir.
00:08How did you, you know, zero in to Arshad sir for playing this cop and Pritam and Pedro, which is
00:16a cyber crime series.
00:18This whole concept, you have already spoken in press conference, but then this was not something that your regular genre,
00:26which you are doing, comes in.
00:29So how did this entire thing, you know, was conceptualized? So you will answer these two questions.
00:37The first question is the third collaboration.
00:40How did you make a mistake for the third time?
00:45No, with Arshad, I, of course, there were two films in my life.
00:53And after that, I always wanted to work with them.
00:58But finally, what happens is that there is a script, there is a role in that role.
01:01You decide who to do and who to do.
01:05So we were doing this one. We were doing this one.
01:07But then we didn't have any dates.
01:09Then there was a chance to get this one.
01:13And it's different than what Arshad has done.
01:15It's not the circuit.
01:17It's a light-hearted humor, but there is a serious character.
01:24It's a very strong story.
01:25It's a very strong story.
01:27So it's a very different Arshad.
01:28I don't think I will say that you will see Arshad as well.
01:30Because you have seen Arshad as well as a serious role.
01:32You have seen him as well.
01:33And the perception is that he does comedy.
01:36In which you can see that there is a comedy.
01:38There is a very serious side to him also.
01:42The entire cyber crime drama, there have been few films and web series around it.
01:47But you said that you received a call from Mumbai police during Covid.
01:54That's something very interesting.
01:56And this is something that creates awareness.
02:00As well as a very entertaining series as well.
02:04But I want to know that when the conceptualization was happening,
02:10How did it ensure that it reached people to the right message?
02:14And how did the previous cyber crime drama have been different?
02:20You see, first of all, what I have seen in the last cyber crime drama,
02:22I haven't seen all of them.
02:24But what I have seen, they are very serious or dark.
02:29This is a story about cyber crime, but there are a lot of interesting characters.
02:34Their back stories are interesting.
02:35There are a lot of humor and emotions.
02:39And it's very fast.
02:40You don't have to worry about it.
02:42You don't have to worry about it.
02:43You don't have to worry about it.
02:45You don't have to worry about it.
02:45You don't have to worry about it.
02:46You don't have to worry about it.
02:48You don't have to worry about it.
02:48And what was the first question?
02:51No, no.
02:51So how was the entire conceptual?
02:54And how is it different?
02:55Because the call you received was from Mumbai police.
02:58So that is why there is more responsibility.
03:00All the more.
03:01No, the call was that our old friend, Harish Bajal.
03:05He was the head of Cybercell.
03:08During COVID-19, there was a lot of crime.
03:13Because people call online things.
03:15There were scams.
03:17So they called me to make a film to make a public service.
03:21So they could tell them what they could do.
03:23So they couldn't do it for them.
03:26So they couldn't do it for them.
03:26Because we couldn't shoot outside.
03:28So we made an animation and made it for them.
03:33So they were very happy.
03:34So they met Amit.
03:36Who wrote many stories, short stories.
03:42And they did a lot of work in this field.
03:44So those stories I found very interesting.
03:46So they were inspired.
03:48Because they were real stories.
03:49So we have all the research and all the real stories.
03:53So it's not that we have some fictitious characters.
04:01But the crime you are seeing is more or less like that.
04:07All the episodes come from here.
04:09They were inspired by them.
04:12So I don't think it's misguided.
04:13You will have some resonance in our life.
04:18You will have some resonance in our life.
04:30That's how it happens.
04:43So you have to learn from the old school actors, new school actors.
04:45I want to know from your point of view.
04:48What is the difference that you find between the old school actor and new school actor?
04:55I can give you an example now.
04:57I don't name the director.
05:01But there's one of our directors was shooting and I had some stunts to do.
05:08And it was a lot of stunts.
05:11So hanging from somewhere, running and falling and this and that.
05:15It was a lot of fun.
05:16So I did all that.
05:18And I came and I sat down.
05:20I waited for my next shot.
05:21Then I got up and I did the next shot.
05:23I had the next shot.
05:25So he came to me and he said,
05:26Rasha, it's such a pleasure working with guys like you.
05:29He said, the newer lot,
05:31they're going to massage with two steps.
05:36Recuperate and recovery.
05:37They need time.
05:38Then they recover and give them another shot.
05:44I said, yeah.
05:45I said, this is a little old and new.
05:49Let's put it this way.
05:50Our school is different.
05:51We come from a different world of this acting.
05:56So yes, there is a little difference.
05:58But I think somewhere it all works out.
06:01I think the newer lot of actors are more scared
06:06because a lot is at stake.
06:09Prices have increased.
06:11Costs have increased.
06:12Filmmaking.
06:13So a lot is at stake.
06:15So I think they try to be as safe as possible.
06:18But more or less, I think the older lot actors are more patient,
06:24more tolerant.
06:26The younger lot actors are a little more impatient and less tolerant.
06:31As a director, what is your perspective about this?
06:35Because you have worked with actors of different generations.
06:37But one thing that has always stayed with you is that you repeat your actors too much.
06:42Like, you have eight or ten favorites.
06:46You have worked with every film and every series.
06:48But what is your perspective about this as a director?
06:53I feel like this is not old or new.
06:56This is an attitude of individuals.
06:59Like, I have worked with Shah Rukh, Amir, Sanju, Arshad.
07:07So, they are extremely dedicated to the work.
07:11I have worked with Ranbir and Vijay.
07:14I find the same amount of dedication in them.
07:17So, they have a personal attitude.
07:20I completely understand what Arshad is talking about.
07:24So, I'm interested in this.
07:25I have seen that.
07:28But it's a very individual.
07:30It's something that everyone has been doing.
07:31Somebody has asked me to tell me,
07:32that I am tired.
07:33How is my job doing this?
07:34This is creepy.
07:34It's crazy.
07:35So, you are going to get everything.
07:37One thing about that is that...
07:40I had worked with Shah Rukh,
07:41the company has worked with me...
07:48I have worked with Shah Rukh,
07:50I have worked with Shah Rukh,
07:51I have worked with Shah Rukh.
07:56And when you work with Ranbir and Vicky also, Ranbir had to make up for 3 hours,
08:01Vicky would sit and work with you. There is a tremendous amount of medication they also had.
08:05But yeah, there are other kind of factors who then they limit themselves, they don't reach there anywhere.
08:11Ranbir and Vicky are like old soul. They are like, they come from the family that has been around,
08:19so they know it, they have seen their parents working hard, they have seen all that.
08:24But this is their sensibility.
08:27But then again, this also gives rise to a lot of debate like you said that, you know,
08:32the old actors who are senior actors, they are willing to work for, you know, 24 hours, 36 hours.
08:38And as long as, you know, a filmmaker needs them to be on the set because there is so much
08:43expense attached to it.
08:46Whereas, there is another school of actors who says that we only want to work for limited hours.
08:52Does that hamper filmmaking or does that affect the finances?
08:56As a filmmaker, I want to understand your perspective.
08:58No, I don't like that.
08:59I don't like that.
09:00I don't like that.
09:01I don't like that.
09:02I want to work so many hours.
09:04They understand the importance of it.
09:06At least once I have worked with it, they understand the importance of it.
09:09They have to finish it.
09:10They will finish it.
09:12Because as I said, Ranbir, I remember that he was making makeup for 4-5 hours.
09:18So, if we have a shift at 7 o'clock, he was sitting in the city at 3 o'clock
09:21at night.
09:23I was at 6 o'clock at night.
09:25So, there was one van outside.
09:26There was a lamp in the inside.
09:28And then, the makeup is going on.
09:29And then, we started shooting it with him for 12 hours.
09:31I never complained.
09:33I never complained.
09:34I never complained.
09:34I've never seen anybody complaining.
09:38Ashut sir, this question is for you.
09:40Like, in the series, I have seen that you are technologically challenged.
09:43Right.
09:44And most of, you know, people who belong to generation of 80s, 90s, they face this problem big time
09:50when technology started evolving, especially this computer and everything.
09:54What challenge have you faced in real life?
09:56And do you still face challenges in understanding technology?
09:59Yes, yes.
09:59I am fully challenged.
10:01I am not good with technology at all.
10:03I am not at all good with it.
10:04I am not even good with handling my Insta.
10:08You know, I was saying Raju about it, that once by mistake, I was, what do you call it, live.
10:12I was live.
10:13I didn't even know the phone was in my pocket and I was live.
10:16And people, I was walking around in London, they could hear my conversation.
10:19And my daughter was calling me up, my manager was calling me up.
10:22And they were saying, get off, you are live.
10:25And I didn't even know what they were talking about.
10:27I said, live?
10:27I bought live.
10:28They're on Insta live.
10:30So I am really bad at it.
10:32I ask my kids how to do this, how to do that.
10:35And I am not even, see, I will be honest, it's not great.
10:40I do not want to get so good with it that I am on it all the time.
10:44I don't want to.
10:46Like I am actually, I want to switch off to a button keypad phone and you know, not a smartphone.
10:53I'd like to do that.
10:54I was talking, one of my interviews I said, I said, it should become mandatory.
10:57That one day in a week, there should be no internet.
11:02Absolutely no internet.
11:03And people should just have nothing like that and chat with each other and do normal things.
11:08I don't think it's possible.
11:10But you know, but things like that detox.
11:11Like I think what the UAE, the Gulf has done, below 15 you cannot use Insta.
11:16Even London also, even UK also there is proposal to ban social media below 16 years.
11:21Below 16.
11:22It is a damn good idea.
11:24Yeah.
11:24It is a damn good idea.
11:25Below 75.
11:26Yeah.
11:28Yeah.
11:29Yeah.
11:29Yeah.
11:36So then talking about technology like films, you know, they have adapted all the technological
11:44advancements.
11:44And a lot is going in the field of AI in the past 3-4 years.
11:49Everybody is delving into AI and you know, VFX big time.
11:53VFX to pehle bhi tha, but it has become lot more easier.
11:56What is your thought?
11:57Because there is another, you know, there is lot of discussion that goes that AI has been
12:03like, it is being used in a way that you know, films are losing their soul.
12:08So, what is your perspective on that?
12:11See, dehi, AI is there to stay.
12:14You can't deny that.
12:16It's a new technology with tremendous amount of potential.
12:20Now, how one uses it, it depends completely on the individual.
12:23If you don't use it properly, then you will get a strange junk.
12:28If you don't use it properly, then you can take it properly.
12:30You can't stop it properly.
12:32So, right now, it's so new that, and it's possibly simple.
12:37Everybody is trying it out.
12:39They are not trying it out, but soon they will discover how to use it, how not to use it.
12:45Regulations, I think that it should not be misused.
12:48There has to be a lot of laws in place so that it's not misused.
12:51Okay.
12:52So, now talking about Goa, you have like long connection with Goa, because your house is
12:59there.
12:59And sir, I think Munna Bhai was shot in Goa, if I am not wrong.
13:03Yes, one chunk.
13:04So, this film is also based there.
13:08How, I mean, the use of AI and I will connect the geographical location and AI thing that
13:15we due to extensive use of AI, we have seen that the shooting in real location, it is not
13:23happening as much as it used to be earlier.
13:25But in this film, we are saying that like we can see nice real locations.
13:29Do you think that filmmakers should, you know, stop doing that?
13:32Like they should be going to the real location and shooting there so that the feel and soul
13:36of the film is still intact.
13:41See, you always like to shoot in real locations, but sometimes it's not possible for various
13:47reasons.
13:48Sometimes it could be cost, sometimes it could be availability or feasibility, whether
13:54there are those conditions.
13:55So, it's just like it's happening, that whenever there is cinema, then you decide.
14:01If you look at the cinematography cinema, you would go to long shots and shoot them
14:05before.
14:05Yes, exactly.
14:06And then there was a driving shot.
14:08Yes.
14:08It was in the project.
14:09It was in the project.
14:10Yeah.
14:11Or in the studio, there were close-ups.
14:13So, that's a journey of cinema that you do cheat in many ways to make that work.
14:19So, it will be happening.
14:20And some people still would believe that you don't have to do that.
14:23You should have to do that.
14:25You should have to do that.
14:28You should have to do that.
14:28You should have to do that.
14:28But it should be good.
14:29If it doesn't happen, you will get to do it.
14:31If it does not happen, then you will have to do it.
14:32If it does happen, then you should have to do it.
14:33It's a great advantage.
14:34Talking about cybercrime, sir, there are many actors also who have spoken that how they have
14:39been victim of cybercrime.
14:41Have you faced any such instances?
14:43No, I haven't yet.
14:44Touch wood, thank God for that.
14:46I haven't yet.
14:47For multiple reasons, I am not on my phone and on my laptop too much.
14:53And I do not entertain anything that I am not familiar with.
14:57So, my phone has a setting where only the people who are in my contact can talk to me.
15:03The people who are not in my contact cannot talk to me.
15:06So, there is no problem in you.
15:08Yeah.
15:09So, you cannot get through to me.
15:10So, what happens is the only way you will be able to get in touch with me is by messaging
15:13me.
15:14So, after I see the message, I will know exactly who you are, who you are not and do I
15:17need to further the conversation.
15:19In the conversation, I think it is dodgy.
15:22I will not, you know, pursue it.
15:25So, no.
15:26So far, I have been safe, but I think I am not as smart as the criminals are.
15:31They are very smart and they are way ahead of people like who are good at, you know, AI and
15:39all that.
15:39And so, I just hope so far so good and I just hope nobody comes after me.
15:44And something should be done about this.
15:46Yeah.
15:46Like at least I was talking about every time there is a fake video, it must have a stamp saying
15:52it is not true.
15:53That should be done.
15:54You cannot put, you should not be able to put out a fake video and claim it to be true.
15:59On a regular basis.
16:02That has to, you have to have, something must happen.
16:06I think Airtel has come out with a kind of an app or something where all these scamster calls will
16:16not come through.
16:17If the calls are not proper, they will not come through.
16:21Spam calls.
16:22Spam and all that. No, scam and spam, they will be out. Cut or the base.
16:26So, I think somewhere one needs to, maybe we will catch hold of Mr. Harij Behjal, who is a lovely
16:31guy.
16:33And catch him and tell him, let's figure something out.
16:36I think it will solve a lot of problems. If I open an app and it claims something, but there
16:42is a little mark that says it is not true.
16:44Yeah.
16:46So, Avir played junior circuit, you know, as a child. Yeah. And how is it, how is it like working
16:54with him 20 years, almost 20 years later?
16:56Very emotional. Very emotional. It's, yeah, because I have seen him grow up. So, yeah, then I am very happy.
17:03I am very happy his first job was with me. I am very happy. Yeah.
17:09Yeah. So, and so, how was it like directing your own son? Does he listen to you?
17:14No, I have not directed this series. It has been directed by Avinash.
17:17Yeah, yeah. Right, right. Sorry.
17:18So, I went to the set once in a while, but not. So, it is primarily with Avinash. And I
17:23wanted him to be like that, work with somebody else.
17:26Yeah. In future, if I have a script, I will work with him. Yeah. So, but I wanted him to.
17:31The problem is that the kids usually never listen to their parents. So, he might not listen to him.
17:38But, of course. Action, I am not acting. Cut. Why did it cut? I am acting. But then, how much,
17:47like, as a parent, obviously, every parent guides their, you know, child that you should choose this, you should not
17:55choose that project. How much, like, but generally, they do not, you know, themselves go to parents to ask for
18:03advice. How is your equation?
18:05Do they come from themselves? Or do you give them advice?
18:09No, I think, see, every person has their journey, their journey. So, I think that if you take your hand
18:17and take your hand, then you will be full of life.
18:20So, I leave it open that if he needs advice, he is most welcome to come. If he doesn't need
18:25it, then let him. He will make mistakes. He will learn from them. He will learn better.
18:29So, you will go and sit and sit and sit and say, that he was a mom of Hiruun's mom
18:35in the past, when he gets in the front seat.
18:37That's the problem.
18:39Ha ha ha.
18:40Ha ha ha.
18:41Ha ha ha.
18:42Ha ha ha.
18:44Ha ha ha ha.
18:44Ha ha ha ha ha.
18:45So, now talking about Vikrant, he is playing an antagonist in this. How do you work with Vikrant?
18:53I think an actor is very good. He is a very clear person. He is a sensible guy, good actor,
19:00well behaved, good nature. So it's always a pleasure.
19:04It's a lot of fun to work with people.
19:07And sir, Vikrant, generally, we haven't seen the roles in this role. So what was your thought like when you
19:16zeroed into Vikrant for this role?
19:20See Vikrant is a fantastic actor. He does anything, you want to watch it.
19:26And for an actor also, it's exciting that he's doing something different.
19:32So I think for him also it was very exciting. But I didn't think how good he did it, he
19:36took it and took it.
19:39He's done it so subtly and so well. You can see him. He's a fantastic actor, good person, always a
19:47joy to work with.
19:48Yeah. And also one thing I want to know that in last five, six years, a lot of big filmmakers,
19:54they are now, you know, coming into web series, making web series like Bansali sir also made Heera Monday.
20:02And Neeraj Pandey, they have already made Heeraj Pandey and you are also making Pritam and Pedro.
20:09Is it like, because obviously a market obviously remains, but then for a director like and for a filmmaker like
20:17you, who are so used to that two and a half hour, three hour format, what difference do you find
20:23when you like go and make a web series?
20:27Is it just because of market demand or do you want to experiment with such things?
20:33No, you have a new medium and the world is watching it.
20:37In today's time, people follow OTT and are watching it. We have a major audience here.
20:44And there are some stories that you can't speak on screen.
20:47There are times that you have to have time. You have to have to finish the maximum story.
20:53And there are some stories that you need a long time. So, this story is not the beginning of the
20:59film's story. This story is for OTT.
21:04So, if you have a story that feels good and it is OTT, then you will write it.
21:08So, it was a very exciting journey to understand how it is written and how it is written and how
21:14it is written.
21:14We have also taught it. We have enjoyed it.
21:18And now, before we wrap and I think this question, I think everybody must have asked, but when are we
21:23going to see next version of Munda Bhai?
21:27Sorry, this time you can answer.
21:32So, honestly, Raju has been working on it. Okay, they have written 3-4 scripts and they are all, I
21:41would say, around 60-70% complete.
21:43To be honest, meant, in the head, they are 100% complete. It is the question of that 5-10
21:51% where you get stuck and that is where the whole crux lies.
21:55If it is a crack, then I think it will make it.
21:58Sir, is the correct answer?
21:59Absolutely correct.
22:00Okay, done.
22:02But I want to know, sir, like,
22:04So, for all of you, as many films have come, there is 99.9% strike rate.
22:11People expect more from directors like you.
22:14But why do they take so much?
22:17Like, you know, I don't want to do a comparison, but
22:20Like, we see that many people have directed a lot of films.
22:24But what you have directed, all of them are heads.
22:29But we see, like, we expect more.
22:31All of them are heads.
22:32But...
22:33See, I want to do something else.
22:37Because...
22:37If someone has written a script that makes me feel good,
22:40and I think that I can do it,
22:41then I will do it immediately.
22:42But it turns out that you don't have to write a script,
22:44and then you have to do it.
22:46So, if we are writing ourselves,
22:47then it turns out that it takes time.
22:48But if I get ready,
22:49and I think that it is great,
22:50then it will be very good.
22:52So, I will tell people,
22:53from your parents,
22:54that,
22:54that,
22:54that,
22:54that,
22:55that,
22:59Thank you so much.
23:00And before we wrap up,
23:01what would you like to say to your fans and audience,
23:04for this,
23:04Preetam and Petro?
23:05Oh, I would say,
23:06please do watch it.
23:07It's on July 3.
23:09And,
23:10it's very good,
23:11it's very good.
23:11We both have,
23:12I think it's a good job.
23:14I haven't seen Raju,
23:15so,
23:15there is,
23:16I don't have to think about it.
23:18Humour,
23:19emotion,
23:19a little message,
23:21and,
23:21very much entertainment.
23:23Please watch it.
23:24Thank you so much.
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