The story of Kurbaan was written by Karan Johar. Did you follow the original plot?
The debutant director and co-writer of Rang de Basanti on his film Kurbaan
The story of Kurbaan was written by Karan Johar. Did you follow the original plot?
The story was Karan’s. He told me the story. I loved it and started writing the screenplay.
What attracted you to writing?
I’m a commerce graduate interested in films. I used to write my own comic strips and screenplay writing was a natural extension.
How good is your Hindi?
Pretty decent, but not good enough to write dialogues because I don’t dream in Hindi.
You were in advertising.
I joined advertising to get into films and spent two years being a spot boy, clapper boy and doing odd jobs. I realised I couldn’t become a director unless I took the writing route.
How easy was it to get into the ad world?
Very easy. If you meet deadlines and are focused, it’s a meritorious industry.
And were you a Hindi film buff?
I was. I loved Bimal Roy’s Madhumati; Guru Dutt’s Pyaasa and Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam; Yash Chopra’s Deewar; Gulzar’s Mausam, Aandhi, Ijaazat and Ramesh Sippy for
Shakti and Sholay.
What’s more satisfying, scripting, dialogue direction or does one lead to the other?
I think one leads to the other. I enjoy writing for sure. I realise form cannot replace content. There’s nothing if there isn’t a good story.
How did you begin working with Karan?
Karan had called me to write a film after Rang de Basanti. We got talking and felt we could collaborate on Kurbaan.
Is a film on global terrorism a risk or is it an issue that can fetch you a wider audience?
It can fetch you a wider audience but there was no premeditated grand plan. It’s a subject I’m interested in.
How does the finished product look?
I think Karan and I were bang on with the choice and you’ll see it. Kareena is an instinctive actress. Saif is a minimalist and his style is just what the role needed.