Sanjay Gupta's name is synonymous with dark and highly stylised noir thrillers, which are more often than not remakes of Hollywood films. These films include Kaante (Reservoir Dogs / The Killing / The Usual Suspects), Musafir (U-Turn), Zinda (Oldboy) and Plan (Suicide Kings).
Criticised for copying, the writer-director, who launched his own production company, White Feathers, has defended his stand, and moved on. Now, he is back with his latest venture unusually titled Woodstock Villa starring newcomer Sikander Kher and Neha Uberoi.
Syed Firdaus Ashraf caught up with the filmmaker to find out more.
Why Woodstock Villa?
Hansal Mehta (director of the film) and I were thinking of a couple of ideas when we hit upon Woodstock Villa. It is from Vijay Anand's school of films. There are lots of twists and turns. Very entertaining and timepass film.
The name itself suggests that it is a film meant for the multiplex audience...
I believe in that kind of cinema. Secondly, with two newcomers, people don't have time for single screens. And finally, we are not bounded to formula title.
You think this title will appeal to people?
The film has to appeal. Who cares about the title? It is the design that matters. If the film had to work on a title, what will stars do?
What made you decide on Sikander Kher and Neha Uberoi for Woodstock?
I would not have made the film if I had not seen the potential in them. As far as Sikander is concerned, talent is in his genes. He is a good looking chap and has great potential.
Neha is beautiful and a powerhouse of talent. She also has won best supporting actress award down south.
Your last production, Dus Kahaniyaan, did not work at the box office. Were you disappointed?
It was an experimental film; not meant for single screens. The film was cheaply sold and made a killing in multiplexes. It was smartly packaged and was picked up by Eros. Today that film is hot property on DVD and satellite television. It was a win-win situation for everyone.
You have announced 10 films. Do you have a business model for these films?
Each and every film is handled separately. Out of 10, four are ready and the rest are going on the floors.
Most of your films deal with mistrust, betrayal and infidelity. Why so?
I guess on a subconscious level, I may have been letdown in life. On another level, I feel trust is the basis of any relationship.
What about love?
Love comes afterwards. You cannot survive on love if you cannot have trust.
I recall one dialogue of your film, Kaante: Humne hamari maa ke pet se yehi seekh kar aaya hai ki, kabhi kisi par bharosa nahi karma (From the time I was in my mother's womb, I have learnt not to trust anyone). How do you go to that level in your films?
That was writer Milap Zaveri's line and the credit goes to him.
But the message is yours and states that this world is full of cheats and you have to be careful all the time.
It is not this world. It is not mine and your world. It is the world of drug lords, criminals and gangsters. In that scenario, you don't trust anyone.
But why do such subjects fascinate you?
I don't know. That was the phase of my life. Now, I am doing Alibaug which is an ode to friendship. So it depends on what phase you are going through in life. Until Zinda, I was going through a lot personally, and all that was reflected in my films. All my edginess and darkness are reflected in my films.
Did Kaante and Musafir come from the heart?
Yes, completely. I insisted on the spoken word. I don't like dialoguebaazi. But at the same time, it should be said in style.
Are you influenced by Aynn Rand's (popular and controversial American philosopher and novelist, most famous for her philosophy of Objectivism) philosophy because your films reflect those things?
I'm a major fan. As a matter of fact, the book is in my bedroom and always next to me.
Fountainhead or Atlas Shrugged?
No, that was long back. What I always keep with me is Aynn Rand's lexicon, Objectivisim from A-Z. It's like a dictionary of concepts where she speaks about marriage, relationship and all such things.
Okay, coming back to your life, what was the first betrayal?
(Laughs) I don't know that.
The poster of Alibaug in your office has Sanjay Dutt on it. Is he still working in it?
It is an old poster. I didn't realise the press was coming (laughs).
What is the status of your friendship with him?
No comments on Mr Dutt.
Do you ever feel the urge to make romantic films?
Meghna Gulzar is making a film Milte Hai for us. I believe in that film.
Are you not bothered about the fact that her last films bombed badly at the box office?
I gave Apoorva Lakhia Shootout At Lokhandwala after his two films flopped. Hansal Mehta's film had also flopped but he has directed a film in Dus Kahaniyaan. I go by the drive and passion of the filmmaker and the enthusiasm he has for the film.
Box office failures don't bother you?
No. I've had so many box office duds. There is no formula for success, just commitment to the story.
What about the fact that actors are charging such a huge amount of money? Do you think Akshay Kumar deserves Rs 40 crores per film?
Of course he deserves it. His film gets an opening of Rs 110 crores. What's wrong if he charges that much?
In an industry where stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Akshay Kumar and Hrithik Roshan rule, do you think your films can sell?
(Interrupts) There are 15 saleable heroes and five very, very saleable heroes.
15 saleable heroes?
Of course. You think today, Neil Mukesh and Shiney Ahuja are not saleable? You look at Irrfan Khan, Fardeen and Vivek, and of course, the top five. Apart from them, do you think Ajay Devgan and Sanjay Dutt don't sell?
But Ajay Devgan films have not been doing well...
Just because his last two films have not worked does not mean his next film won't work. There are a lot of actors who have a huge fan base and Ajay Devgan is one of them. It takes guts to direct a simple love story like U Me Aur Hum. I intend to approach him and I am also writing a script keeping him in mind.
What keeps Sanjay Gupta driving?
A motorcycle (laughs). It is zest for life. I don't know anything in life. I am enjoying life and today there are a lot of people working for me. I am trying to make my company self-reliant and self-sufficient so that I can sneak out of office more.
Isn't it ironic that your company is named White Feathers, but makes dark films?
Actually we are very light and white but don't take us seriously.
