'You make sequels purely because the characters have worked well. You cannot make sequels of a good film.
'Characters that are very successful shouldn't be messed up. For example, if Munna and Circuit change (from the Munna Bhai series), then it is not a good idea.
'At the same time, because they are loved so much, the sequels continue to be loved by the audience.'
Arshad Warsi is one of Bollywood's most versatile actors.
When it comes to comedy, he rules the space!
In a candid conversation with Urvi Parikh, Arshad spoke about working in Golmaal Again!!!, gearing up for the third part in Munnabhai series and more.
Golmaal Again!!! explores horror-comedy, a genre not tapped much in Bollywood. Any reason why?
I think every producer and director's criteria is to make money so they go for the safest route and don't take risks like these.
Some people don't like to venture out of their comfort zone to try anything new.
I can vouch for the fact that eight out of 10 films are comedy or, even if they are serious, there is an element of comedy in it so horror is one space that really doesn't have a huge audience. As a result, such films have to be made on a limited budget so that recovering the money is easy.
Do you think Golmaal Again!!! has taken the risky route?
Yes, definitely. We have tried to explore the horror-comedy genre with Golmaal Again!!! this time around.
When Rohit Shetty makes a film, there is really no question of a budget in it as it is huge.
But a horror film would be a bad idea for him. However, a horror-comedy is a first in itself that we have attempted in Golmaal Again!!!.
But horror films haven't done well. So what do you think of a horror-comedy?
If you really go to see, we make a horror film where we want the songs, rumours, immunity, romance and, at the end, a very weird aspect of horror as well.
So it is a very messed up and confused space of filmmaking.
But Golmaal Again!!! cannot even be called a horror film because it just has an element of a ghost.
What new thing will we see you do in Golmaal Again!!!?
I am doing just what I did in last three Golmaal films.
All of us are in the same space and I think that is the way it should be.
I believe that you make sequels purely because the characters have worked well. You cannot make sequels of a good film.
Characters that are very successful shouldn't be messed up. For example, if Munna and Circuit change (from the Munna Bhai series), then it is not a good idea.
At the same time, because they are loved so much, the sequels continue to be loved by the audience.
Is it more of a responsibility when you are making a sequel to a successful film?
It is a very huge responsibility on all the actors to come up with a good film in this Golmaal franchise.
But, more than the actors, there is pressure on Rohit and the writers as to choose the right subject and execute it.
Do you think your role has an edge over others in the Golmaal series?
It's not like that. I believe that the dialogue writers of the film are very nice. According to me, Tusshar Kapoor has got the best lines.
When we did the first part, I had told him the audience was going love his role. At that time, he didn't believe me.
Having said that, in Golmaal Again!!!, Tusshar's character is interesting because he gets to speak.
That is the new element.
Even with Ajay, he plays a contrast in this film. He is scared of ghosts. In Golmaal 3, he wasn't scared of anyone.
How was it working with Parineeti Chopra in the film?
Parineeti is a doll who is sweet, down-to-earth and a beautiful person overall which I think is very important.
She is a wonderful person and an amazing actor. A complete sweetheart.
It was a pleasure working with her and knowing her too.
She is very delicate and endearing, with too much energy. It is like she has a couple of fully-charged batteries for breakfast!
And Tabu?
I know Tabu very well and she is amazing.
On the first day, when she walked into the set, I asked her, 'What are you doing here?'
The thing is, all actors desire to do everything.
The fact is, if you are a good actor, you can do everything.
Tabu is not a limited actor. She can pull off any role smoothly.
What's the status of Munnabhai 3?
I just met Rajkumar Hirani a few days ago at the Nargis Dutt Cancer Charity art exhibition where all of us spoke about the film.
Raju is left only with a few days of work on the Sanjay Dutt biopic.
Once that is done, we all will get involved with the Munnabhai franchise.
The story of the film is ready.
How excited are you to work with Sanjay Dutt?
Sanjay Dutt is a sweetheart and I love him.
The fact that he praised me just made my day.
I am very happy and excited to be working with Sanju once more.
He is an amazing person and I am personally very fond of him.
He is like a gentle giant guy who has the heart of a kid.
I speak to him often on the phone and I am looking forward to working with him once more.
