EXCLUSIVE: Tusshar Kapoor says, “Khakee was an Alice-In-Wonderland experience”; reveals Laxmii was planned way back in 2013 as Hindi cinema’s first modern horror comedy: “Akshay Kumar was ALWAYS the first choice”
Satish Kaushik’s Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai (2001) completed 25 years on May 25, and, in other words, its lead actor, Tusshar Kapoor, also celebrated 25 years in the film industry. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, the actor spoke about his other landmark film, Khakee (2004), and how he turned producer.
Tusshar said, “Khakee is considered one of my best films and also that of other actors. At that time, it did reasonably well, and as the years passed, it came to be respected more and more. It was my first time working with Amit ji (Amitabh Bachchan), Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and director Rajkumar Santoshi.”
When remarked that it was a road trip movie of sorts, Tusshar smiled and said, “Indeed and I felt like Alice in Wonderland! I had finally learned to do romantic movies and suddenly, I was made to work with all these seniors, that too, in such a different zone. It was nerve-wracking, but with Raj ji, there was no stress. In my first film, I was quite nervous as everyone was so strict. However, Raj ji used to give instructions and I used to pick them up. He thought I was very confident and he has a way with actors. Even if you are new or a film films old, he knows how to handhold you. He’s fully aware of why he has taken you in his film and the side of your personality he wants to tap into. He’s a genius actor’s director. The only stress was about doing your work sincerely. ‘Don’t chat around,’ was the golden rule!”
Turning producer
Tusshar Kapoor started his production house, Tusshar Entertainment House, and produced Laxmii (2020), starring Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani. Not many are aware that, though it was also produced by Fox Star Studios, Cape of Good Films etc., it was Tusshar who conceptualized the film.
Tusshar revealed that he bought the rights to Kanchana (2011) way back in 2013, “The plan was to make the first horror comedy of modern times! I remember it was my birthday in 2011. I was 35 then and was talking to my friend, Shabinaa Khan. She asked me to watch Kanchana for myself as an actor. This is because I was looking for something for me in the comic zone. I saw and loved it. In 2013, we happened to get the rights. Then I decided that if I was going to produce it, I’d make it with somebody else. The director, Raghava Lawrence, wanted somebody older and for the Hindi market, he was looking for someone in the category of a superstar.”
Tusshar continued, “It took my 7 years to make it. We went to a couple of actors.” We interrupted and asked if Ajay Devgn was considered, as per reports at that time. Tusshar didn’t confirm but stated, “We considered a number of actors. Some didn’t feel that the role suited their personality, while the younger ones were averse to doing a South remake. At that time, it was not the ‘in’ thing to do South films. Post-Baahubali, rise of pan-India wave and Kabir Singh (2019), things changed.”
He continued, “Jinke naseeb mein thi, unhone film kar li. The best person who suited the character was a part of the film. Maybe the film wouldn’t have been made if it weren’t for him (Akshay Kumar). In fact, he was the first person who wanted to do it. We had even signed him. But since the film got delayed, it didn’t work out with him. But later, we went back to him. So, he was always the first choice.”
After Laxmii, Tusshar Kapoor produced Maarrich (2022), featuring him as a leading actor. When asked about his production plans, Tusshar Kapoor revealed, “I am not planning anything under my production house. As for my acting projects, I have Welcome To The Jungle coming up next, followed by Prakash Jha’s Janadesh and Golmaal 5.”
The post EXCLUSIVE: Tusshar Kapoor says, “Khakee was an Alice-In-Wonderland experience”; reveals Laxmii was planned way back in 2013 as Hindi cinema’s first modern horror comedy: “Akshay Kumar was ALWAYS the first choice” appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
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