I'd like to work with Anurag Kashyap again: Abhishek Bachchan

Abhishek Bachchan has temporarily left women weak-kneed and men envious, courtesy Anurag Kashyap’s Manmarziyaan. In fact, he has taken over from his father, Amitabh Bachchan, in the popularity charts, I repeat, albeit for a bit. And, before the world knocks me down dead for saying this, well, at least this very minute, AB Jr is riding a new crest of superstardom. He has won bouquets from the press and public alike for his portrayal of a ‘strong’, liberal-minded husband who wins his wife over, despite her deep involvement with her high-energy, volatile lover in the film.

Running just 20 minutes late for the interview in his office, Abhishek keeps the charm faucet open. He wins you over with such a wide selection of hot and cold beverages that you’re forced to pick one and then settle for this long chat, where his candour has you amused and amazed in equal measure. Excerpts:

Obviously, it was Anurag Kashyap’s name that tempted you into accepting Manmarziyaan, right?

When my producer, Aanand L Rai told me that he wanted Anurag Kashyap to direct it, I agreed immediately. At that point in time, having lived with the story for two-three weeks, I had an idea of how my vision for the film was in sync with Anurag’s directorial venture. I knew he would bring that crazy energy that he is known for. A love story is a love story. By virtue of a love triangle, how differently can you tell it? However, my faith in Anurag is such that I knew he could turn it on its head.

The first time he met me, he was like ‘Bro, I’m happy you’re doing the film.’ When he asked, ‘Can I tell you how I see the movie?’ I said, ‘Yes, of course’. But my heart started beating fast because, in your head, you’ve set up how you see the project. And you’re praying that the director’s vision is the same. So, I was really scared.  Then he said, ‘Forget that, I’ll tell you how I see the character’s arc.’ He added, ‘Your entry into the love story is like a villain, and when you finish it, you leave as the hero.’ That was his pitch to me for Robbie. And, instantly, you knew this guy had got it bang on. 

Anurag is very subtle, but he puts a lot of stuff in. It was the right way to pitch the character and that’s what makes Robbie interesting. If we had kept it sugar-coated throughout, Robbie would be very boring.

Go on...

When you see the initial few scenes, he looks a bit grey in his approach to things and the way he reacts. His true self unfolds in the second half. When Rumi (Taapsee Pannu) and Robbie get married, you see his real side — loving, caring, understanding, matured and dignified. Even his introduction in the film is shown with just his feet entering the frame. For me, it’s symbolic because that is how we remember one of the greatest villains, Gabbar Singh, being introduced in Sholay. Remember, the very first shot is of his feet walking in the frame? Anurag (Kashyap) was subliminally, subconsciously saying that Robbie’s entry was that of a villain by depicting it in a similar fashion.

Also, if you recall the first time Robbie and Vicky (Vicky Kaushal) meet at a nightclub, the way the former looks at him, there’s nothing soft about him; there’s an understanding, ‘OK, you’re the guy, got you, I’ll take care of you’.

Later, in the car, he tells his friends, ‘If she has agreed to marry me despite this guy, it means something. She might love him but that doesn’t mean I can’t be an option.’ These are not things a pushover kind of guy says. Those are the elements I picked up to portray the character. And I’m guessing that’s why it worked.

Were you pleasantly surprised with the reviews?

In all honesty and humility, I was in shock. I’m not used to this kind of response. I do believe that my films and performances in the past have garnered polarised opinions. It’s important that an actor evokes an emotion; love my work or hate my work. For me, the way I look at it, both reactions help me learn and improve. Indifference is something actors can’t handle; it destroys them. This is the first film for which I got a unanimously good response. So, I’m still processing it. It feels wonderful, but more than that, it’s reassuring that I tried to do something and people got it.

Hmmm.. a lot of the male critics liked you?

(Smiles) I was secretly hoping that men would react to Robbie. Because the way he is written and handled, you know he is created for women to like him. He is understanding, gives them freedom and doesn’t judge them. He’s almost an idealistic character, he is as close to a knight in a shining armour that you will get in an Anurag Kashyap film. One of the challenges for me was that I wanted the men to like him. In today’s day and age, when the bad boys are the cool guys and women are fond of them, you have to have an edge about you. Deep down inside, all human beings are nice people. I wanted to make them feel that good guys don’t finish last. I was discussing with Anurag in Toronto that it’s more important for me that men like this film. And I’m glad that happened. I didn’t think we’d achieve it because it was a difficult one to crack.

Have your mother and wife seen the movie?

No, mom hasn’t watched it yet. She has been travelling.

Your dad didn’t talk to you immediately after watching it. What did he say later?

Dad spoke to me. He liked my work in it. He was very moved. The family is extremely happy.

The world envies you because you are married to one of the most beautiful women, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Now, they’re envious of her because she’s married to Robbie!

I think it’s all because of the character, I’m glad they reacted like that to Robbie. I’m happy. Somewhere, when you do a film, you get attached to the character and start feeling for him as well. You want things to happen. He is a good guy. The scene where he confronts Rumi for the first time, I remember discussing it with Anurag. When he says the line, ‘I told you to take your time. I said it because I truly loved you. But this time, you have ruined it’. At that point, an actor would love to pour his everything into that outburst. You want to scream, you want to shout. The most difficult thing was that I wanted to do that but I felt that somewhere his decency won’t allow him to shout too much. So when we did the scene, it was tough because I had to reign it in. You actually see that he is totally broken. He’s genuine about his emotions towards her. You feel, ‘Yaar, this shouldn’t have happened to him’. Until then, you haven’t seen him react.

I hope you won’t take any long career breaks now.

No, not any more. But it was important for me as an actor and I’m happy that I did it. I don’t think we would be sitting here today if it wasn’t for that. I see the difference it has made internally. Also, in today’s frantic pace of life, you need to sit back and take stock of what’s going on, because things are spinning out of control. It works for some, it doesn’t for some. You have to do what is right for you. It’s a difficult decision. In today’s day and age, there are so many insecurities.

I had more faith in the professional I wanted to become than those insecurities. I was terrified about the decision, but I’m happy I took it because I see the difference. I’m more focussed now. I never had a plan before. I was happy just coasting along getting to live my dream. Getting work is great, but more than that, you need to have a goal and a strategy. Previously, I would think, ‘What’s the need? You’re an actor, getting to work, count your blessings and move on’. But it’s a lot more than that. You owe it to your audience, but more than that, you owe it to yourself. I’m glad I realised it at a time when I feel I can alter the course and try and make a difference. I’m very happy.

Did you like yourself in the film or you’re not able to react?

After we finished shooting, Anurag had done a rough cut and asked me to see it. For the first time, I have to admit, in my life, I liked what I saw. It wasn’t like ‘Oh, I’ve given a great performance’. I was like ‘Okay, you’ve given your best’.

In the past, there have been several films where I wished I had pushed myself a bit more. The credit for Manmarziyaan goes entirely to Anurag. Often, when you see your film, you make notes on where you can improve because you’ve evolved from the time you shot that to watching it. When I saw the movie a few days ago, I felt I had not shortchanged any scene. That’s a good feeling to have because you’re never going to be entirely satisfied. I know I won’t be. I was content that I gave my best. After that, it’s out of your hands. Then, what do you do?

I heard you want to do another Anurag film?

I’d like to work with Anurag again and again. I told him, ‘Just say when and I’ll be there, for sure’. Now, my challenge for him is that I’m not giving him an option. In our next film, there will definitely be round trolleys and aalaap in the background. I’ve challenged him and told him I would make him do this.

You want to get him out of his comfort zone...

That’s what he did in Manmarziyaan. Even I stepped out of my comfort zone. We thrive on that challenge. Now, I think he will push himself even more. I hope I’m around when he decides to do so.

You’re said to be starting a movie with another Anurag. Anurag Basu this time around.

Nothing is confirmed yet. Let’s see. He is yet to come and narrate the story. All that is work in progress.