New Delhi, July 19: Bollywood veteran Naseeruddin
Shah, whose directorial debut "Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota" was
premiered at the Osian Cinefan Festival here today, says
directing films is easier than acting in them.
"I think direction is very easy. I had nothing much to
do. As a director, my job is to choose the right actors for
the script and make them feel safe so that they can perform
their best," Shah told reporters.
"You do not coach actors as a director, you just
utilise them," he said, referring to HSI experiences while
making "Yun Hota Toh...", which boasts of a talented cast
including Paresh Rawal, Irrfan Khan, Ratna Pathak Shah, and
Konkona Sen Sharma.
The movie, which deals with four different stories
that link up at its end, also launches Shah's son Immaudin in
Bollywood.
Shah said he had wanted to make a film for a long time
but got started only when he stumbled upon the right script
about two and a half years ago.
"For a long time, a lot of people have been asking me
to direct a film but I wanted to direct one only when the urge
to make a film became really big. I am directing a film
because I love actors. Despite their laziness and indulgences,
I love them."
Talking about the talented cast of his film, he said,
"I chose these actors because they were the best actors
available to me. I am personally able to connect with them.
They are actors I like to watch, which is why I cast them in
my film."
Irfan Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma and Jimmy Shergill,
sharing their experiences of working with shah, said contrary
to his image as a "firebrand and complaining" actor, he was
"more calm and peaceful" as a director.
Lavishing praise on his actors, Naseer said that all
of them worked like a team and he would consider his film a
failure if any one of them was singled out for praise.
"They worked in my film despite knowing that none of
them will win any awards. You get national awards and Oscars
only when you play a character that cries a lot or is either
lame or demented. My characters are nothing like that."
Famous choreographer Saroj Khan, who till now made the
leading Bollywood actresses dance to her tunes, is also seen
in the film - her first performance in front of the camera.
Refusing to slot his maiden venture in any genre,
Shah, who was recently seen in "Krrish" and "Valley of
Flowers", said, "I do not think a film can be slotted in a
particular way. Either a film gets across to the audiences or
it does not.
"There are no categories. I just consider myself a
storyteller and through my films, I just want communicate a
story."
Bureau Report
