It seems that the 1970s film bug has bitten the team of Main Hoon Na.
Shah Rukh Khan, Anu Malik, Farah Khan or Suniel Shetty, they all are raving about their latest film, and comparing it to the classic, Sholay.
Directed by debutant choreographer-turned-director Farah Khan, Main Hoon Na promises to highlight all aspects of Hindi cinema -- action, emotion, comedy and tragedy. Besides SRK and Shetty, the film also features Sushmita Sen, Zayed Khan and Amrita Rao in key roles.
"These aspects were present in the films that were made in 1970s. I mean the kind of films that Manmohan Desai made. But let me make it clear, I am not comparing Farah Khan with the great Manmohanji. The film has all those elements that are not found in today's films," says SRK at the music launch of his home production, Main Hoon Na.
About his role, Khan says, "I play an army major. I am always the problem-solver and hence the line Main Hoon Na."
Actor Suniel Shetty plays a negative character: "I play a hardcore villain. It is not a typical negative role. It is very stylish. I hope people like my role, like they did that of Gabbar Singh. If you ask me what this film is about, I will say it is like Sholay. It has good music, emotion, action, comedy and tragedy."
SRK begs to differ, saying no one can make a Sholay, but, "Our film is like the ones that were made in 1970s."
Farah Khan says, "When I chose this title, many told me it sounded like the title of a Sudhir Mishra film. You know, a very art cinema kind of name. They told me I should change it. But I thought it was very positive. Many people say Main Hoon Na when others are in trouble. It is a common lingo used all over India. I decided to keep it. Luckily, everyone agreed."
Describing Main Hoon Na, Farah adds, "This film has everything. It is a 1970s Hindi commercial film -- mother, dying father, obedient son, romance, comedy, lot of action. In short, doses of everything that you see in a Hindi film."
"This is a complete film. People will call me arrogant. But let me tell you, this film will be the biggest hit of this year and the biggest hit of Shah Rukh Khan's career," predicts Shetty.
Music composer Anu Malik cannot stop raving about his achievements as a music director and compares himself with the legendary music director R D Burman. "Farah Khan's brother Sajid Khan told me that my music reminds him of the late R D Burman. I was very touched by that comment," he says.
"Farah told me, 'Why can't today's music directors compose songs like the ones in 1970s?' She wanted songs that one should be able to hum all the time like the classics of 1970s. I told her if she gave me a chance to do so, I would recreate that magic. If you listen to the songs you will feel the difference," he adds.
Photo: Sebastian D'Souza/AFP/Getty Images
