|
'I was promised a much better deal'
Was Sunil Shetty's role cut in APD?
|
Subhash K Jha
A successful film benefits everyone involved with it. Sure enough, the success of Awara Paagal Deewana has everyone associated with the film grinning from ear to ear.
But one person who makes his displeasure known is Sunil Shetty. Reason? His role in Awara Paagal Deewana seems to have been put through the chopper. He makes a belated entry in the film's seventh reel, and his role as the gangster's forgetful henchman seems to be incomplete.
"That is because some of my best scenes have been chopped off, probably because the film was too long. Many of my action scenes that my fans saw in the promos on [Indian] television are missing, and they were quite disappointed," claims Shetty.
He blurts out, "I will not work with [producer] Feroz Nadiadwala again. When he came to sign me for Awara Paagal Deewana on a Ganesh Chaturthi day, I trusted him blindly, although I was not happy doing Hera Pheri with him --- director Priyadarshan had been neglected. This time, Feroz promised to make amends. He promised me a role that would make up for Hera Pheri. But I am just not happy with the way my character turned out in Awara Paagal Deewana."
Shetty has decided to opt out of Nadiadwala's forthcoming project to be directed by Madhur Bhandarkar, costarring Amitabh Bachchan and Vivek Oberoi. He now intends going ahead with his original plan of being directed by Bhandarkar in Jail. "I will most probably produce that film myself," he says.
Sunil Shetty-Feroz Nadiadwala is not the only high profile association to be terminated. Nadiadwala has also broken off with Mahesh Manjrekar who was supposed to direct Kutumb, a new version of The Godfather. Now, Vikram Bhatt is to make his version of The Godfather for Nadiadwala, based on the director's own script. Amitabh Bachchan will play Marlon Brando's part. Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan and Aftab Shivdasani are slated to play the three sons.
The common factor in both films is Akshay Kumar. It is even being said that Kumar's proximity to producer Nadiadwala is causing other stars grief. The actor, when contacted, said, "Why do I need to cut anyone's role, least of all Sunil Shetty's? More than a friend, he has always been like a brother. Right from Waqt Hamara Hai to Dhadkan and Awara Paagal Deewana, we have had many successful films together. Why would I want to harm my relationship with him? This is all so juvenile."
Kumar, however, has the meatiest role in Awara Paagal Deewana. "Agreed. But does it mean I used my friendship with the producer to my own advantage? First and foremost, Feroz is a businessman. Even Paresh Rawal is very close to Feroz. Would you say he has a meaty role because of that? When I signed Awara Paagal Deewana, I knew exactly what I was playing. The final editing is decided by the director. Vikram would be the best person to clear this misunderstanding."
Bhatt denies that Shetty's role has been tampered with any way. "Nothing from Sunil's role was cut. He is an integral part of the film. There has been no underhand dealing. If Akshay were insecure about his costars, he would have been more so about Paresh Rawal. When Akshay did not ask for one scene of Paresh to be removed why would he ask for Sunil's role to be cut?
"I would like to say one thing. Success comes very rarely these days. Let us not spoil it. Let us enjoy it. This film would not have been what it is without Sunil. His involvement has been complete, and he is a joy to work with," he concludes.