Priyadarshan: I am a good actor

It's a rarity. The last decade has not seen the release of two movies, on the same day, by the same director. That too, both festive releases, meaning one film could kill the other's business.

But Priyadarshan, the director in question, is confident that Kyon Ki and Garam Masala will both do well. He believes the different star cast and genres will make sure of that. He recently spoke to Patcy N about both films and his experiences with the actors.

Two movies in the same week -- is that a wise decision?

It's not a wise decision, but it happened. It's up to the producers. Fortunately, it's the festive season. Both films are totally different and both can stand on their calibre, so I'm not worried. Also, Salman and Akshay have their own fan following, which helps.

At the movies, this Diwali

Which do you think will do better -- Garam Masala or Kyon Ki?

That's like asking me whether I like my son or daughter more. I think both should do well, although I feel that Kyon Ki is more mysterious. It is a touching movie where you laugh a lot but it leaves you with pain. As for Garam Masala, everybody knows what kind of film it is. It's the type where you keep your brains at home.

Do you think Salman did justice to Mohanlal's role in Kyon Ki?

When I look at all my old films, I feel as if they're badly done, because I have improved. My guidance to my actors is better. So, at some places, I see a brilliant performance by Salman Khan. Mohan Lal is my favourite actor, so if I am saying that Salman has performed better, you can believe how much he has done. Salman is better looking, so that's his plus point. Lal is the more realistic actor, but Salman is a better dancer. So there are things you can't compare. Both are good in their own way. I didn't make Salman watch the original version, because I wanted him to act as himself.

Did you change the end of Kyon Ki, considering Talvattam has a sad ending?

I have changed the end and the whole flashback sequence. The original had three song; here I have six. You can say that the screenplay is completely changed. I have just kept the storyline.

What was working with Salman Khan like?

It was a great experience. He is like my son Chandu -- a real brat, but he was so sweet to me. He would arrive on the sets at 5:30 am in chilly Ooty. Nobody believes it, but it's true.

Kyon Ki was delayed for a long time. Why?

I finished the film in February, but Salman had two releases. He wanted them to release first. Those films had actually started before I did and finished after I did.

How did you decide on the title?

For Hindi titles, I don't have much say, as I don't know the language. Kyon Ki means nothing actually. I saw Salman's interview in which he said it was a stupid title, but the producer was adamant. I have a reason for this title too though, as it doesn't give away what type of movie it is.

What about the controversy about the script of Garam Masala being taken from the English play Plane Crazy About Love?

It was first used for the film Boeing Boeing, made in the 60s. It's a 45-year old film and, after 25 years, there is no copyright in the world.

How was it working with Akshay Kumar and John Abraham?

I have worked with Akshay before. I used to struggle with him then, but he is now very good as an actor. Now, the same struggle is with John but, by my next film with him, he will become better.

How did you get John, an action hero, to do a comedy role?

Once when I was flying with Kajol, she asked me how I could make a comedy with Akshay and Suniel Shetty (Hera Pheri). John has a right face and the rest was my hard work. He has done complete justice to the character. He was very uncomfortable in the first week and even wanted to drop out as he thought he was a misfit. But if one has the time to learn, I have the inclination to teach. It also depends on how you explain it to your actors. I think I am a good actor myself. If I wasn't a director, I would have been an actor. I used to perform the scene and show it to him.

The three heroines were apparently not happy with each other. Did they create any problems on the sets?

They wouldn't dare create any problem on the set. They are very intelligent that way. They know that if they do, their scenes will be cut down. I was not aware of any problem between them. I just found out now. In fact, all problems started after the film was complete.

Is Paresh Rawal your lucky mascot? Will he be in your next movie too?

He is not in Kyon Ki but, yes, he is the hero of my next film. That's what people use to say about Amrishji -- he was in all my films. It all depends on my comfort level.

What about your movie on a dead man winning a lottery?

I have finished shooting and it's in the postproduction stage. It's called Malamal Weekly and the lead heroes are Paresh Rawal and Om Puri, with Reteish Deshmukh. It's a full-length comedy located in a village in Madhya Pradesh and has a Malayalam actor playing the dead man. This movie will release in January 2006.

Will Kareena be in your next project as well?

My next project is not decided yet, but I am already doing a film with her and Shahid. I have not decided on a title. It's about the love between two deaf and dumb people, one of whom is a liar. I'm not going to say if this is a remake or not. You have to find that out. (It's a remake of a Malayalam movie called Punjabi House).  People don't know that No Entry was a remake of a Tamil film Charlie Chaplin starring Prabhu Deva and was a scene-to-scene copy.

What about the films you wanted to make on AIDS and the weavers of Kanjeepuram?

I will make the film on the weavers in July, as I want the rains for that movie. I co-produced a small film with Jhamu Sughand. It's called Freaking and has Sushant Singh and Sruthi, and is directed by my assistant Rajeev Kumar. It's an experimental film about the exploitation of doctors in a hospital it has a very hilarious approach. It's a black comedy. The film was made in 20 days. As for the AIDS project, that will take a lot of time.

You said you want to retire after a few more projects...

If both these films work, I will say goodbye to Hindi cinema by 2007. I will only make small budget Malayalam films from them on.