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Vaani Kapoor: I was nervous to work in Aha Kalyanam

Vaani Kapoor is all set to make her debut down South after she wowed audiences up north with Shuddh Desi Romance.

Vaani stars in the Tamil-Telugu film Aha Kalyanam, the official remake of the Hindi film Band Baaja Baraat.

The film will release this Friday, February 2. 

Aha Kalyanam is the first Yashraj Production in the south.

Vaani has been on a promotion spree. In this interview with rediff she discusses Aha Kalyanam and the experience of working in a bilingual film.

How did you get to sign Aha Kalyanam?Were you nervous?

I was nervous as it was in a different language. When Adi (producer Aditya Chopra) spoke to me the first time, he seemed to be full of confidence and I felt I should give it a try.

The director Gokul Krishna flew down after the auditions and we had a reading of scenes in Tamil to understand the language and culture.

I practised the language to know which words to emphasise. I was determined to give it a shot.

'I am blessed to do such a role in my second film'

Were you apprehensive about doing a film down South?

I was not really apprehensive. The role was something I wanted. Being a newcomer, I could not let go of this role.

It was a charming character and different from the character of Tara that I played in Shuddh Desi Romance.

Language was not a problem as others from the north have made a mark here.

Of course, it is tough. But I felt that I might not get this opportunity again. I am blessed to do such a role in my second film.

This is an official remake of Band Baaja Baraat. How did you approach the role?

I wanted to make Shruthi (her character in the film) new - with a new freshness, energy and demeanour.

Shruthi and Shakthi are different characters. Comparisons will be there. Nani and I brought in freshness. Our chemistry, equation, and energy are to be looked out for.

'I am proud to be known as Nani's co-star'

Is Aha Kalyanam a frame-to-frame remake or has the director adapted it?

The director has made a few changes in some of the scenes keeping the southern culture in mind. Otherwise it is more or less the same.

What kind of effort did you put in for this film?

I saw a lot of movies to try and understand the body language, dress, pauses.

The team was very helpful. There were conversations in Tamil, so I got into the groove of being comfortable.

After the first schedule, when I went to Mumbai, Adi was excited to hear about it. He made me speak all the Tamil lines and enjoyed listening to it.

He would call others and ask them to listen in. He felt like a proud father! I felt I couldn’t let him down. It was motivating and an interesting opportunity.

How was it working with Nani?

I am proud to be known as Nani’s co-star. He is talented, hard working, easy going and sorted.

He does not throw tantrums. He has a very good sense of humour.

I used to crack lame jokes and he used to take it in his stride. I was comfortable and that ease helped better the performance.

'South films are not very different from Hindi'

How did director Gokul Krishna, a debutant, guide you?

He was clear about what he wanted. He was calm and composed. I would bombard him with questions and he would patiently answer them.

I was motivated by the faith and trust he had in me.

How did you tackle Tamil and Telugu?

I translated it into Roman English and then into Hindi. I used to discuss with the director about where to pause, where to emphasise to get the rhythm right

How did you feel doing your first film down south?

It’s not very different from Hindi. People like taking lunch breaks here. They are friendly and professional. The technicians are also very good.

The talented Director of Photography (Loganathan Srinivasan) who shot Aha Kalyanam had shot the Malayalam film Ustad Hotel so well that I fell in love with that film.

The music director (Dharan Kumar) is also talented. I had worked with Brinda before as she had choreographed a dance for me.

They were all talented and down to earth. It was a privilege to work with them. 

'Aditya Chopra is very passionate about films'

Would you like to do more Tamil and Telugu films?

Yes, if something good is offered in any language, I will do it. I am willing to push the envelope.

How is Aditya Chopra as a producer?

He treats every film equally. He is particular about every film. I wonder how he makes that much time for each film.

He is very passionate about films. He is a man of few words but wise, and a cool producer. He is modern in his thinking – sometimes more than me!

What are your next projects?

I would like to talk about it when it is signed. I can work outside Yashraj Productions.

Would you say you are fortunate to do a film under the prestigious Yashraj banner, or do you think it was your destiny?

I would say it’s an amalgamation. It was luck to be there at the right time. Everyone gets opportunities that one should make the most of.

I knew I had the potential. I would say, have self belief and dedication and leave the rest to destiny!

'My parents were initally apprehensive about my career'

You are well educated and even worked in the hotel industry. How has this experience helped you?

I am not as experienced in life as some others.

What little I have, I have to thank my background and my parents for. They balance it for me.

The hotel experience made me understand people and their culture.

Were your parents apprehensive when you got into modelling and later acting?

They were a little apprehensive. When I was signed by Elite Model Agency, my mom felt it was the right place as it was a professional agency.

Then Shanoo Sharma, the casting director for Yashraj saw me. My parents were broadminded enough to allow that. They knew Yashraj was a brand.

I am a practical person. I thought it would not be easy to be part of the film industry as I came from a different background. But I told myself, I can give it a shot.