Mumbai, Oct 29 (PTI) Filmmaker Aanand L Rai says the third instalment of his hit romantic drama “Tanu Weds Manu” will not move ahead without its original leading actors, R Madhavan and Kangana Ranaut.
Rai has directed the first two films in the romantic-comedy franchise in 2011 and 2015. Both were commercial hits.
“‘Tanu Weds Manu’ won’t be possible without Madhavan. So, whenever you will see any ‘Tanu weds Manu’, whether three or four or five, it will be with Madhavan and Kangana,” Rai told PTI in an interview here.
There were reports that the third part of the film was being planned with a fresh cast and an independent storyline. The original story revolved around an NRI who falls for the match his parents have arranged for him, but the woman has her heart set on another man.
Known for popularising small-town India stories with middle-class characters in Hindi cinema with films such as “Tanu Weds Manu”, “Raanjhanaa”, “Atrangi Re”, Rai said he is aware of the growing appetite for big-budget films in the industry, but his focus has always been on the story rather than its production scale.
“I’m a slave to the stories. The only thing I look forward to when I get down on floors as a producer or as a director is whether it excites me that much? The first audience is me, I should like it.
“Whether it’s a big or a small budget, do I have that eagerness to tell that story? Tomorrow that story can be made in a budget of Rs. 10 cr or Rs. 500 crore. So, I don’t look at the size of a film.”
When asked whether Bollywood frequently succumbs to trends, the director called it a “human” reaction, and advised makers to stick to their strengths.
“You should know what your plus is or where you can score well. It’s not great to repeat yourself but at the same time, you should know that this is your world in which you can thrive. This is the world where you can discover something,” Rai said on the sidelines of the Jagran film festival here.
“Nakhrewaalii”, starring newcomers Ansh Duggal and Pragati Srivastava, is Rai’s latest production. The film is directed by Rahul Shanklya.
He praised both Duggal and Srivastava, and said that he was impressed with their confidence on the sets.
“For me, they are big stars. The way they were on the sets is fabulous. There’s so much to learn from them. When I was directing my first film, though I was never nervous, I was not as confident as these two actors,” Rai said.
Both Duggal and Srivastava said they are grateful for the opportunity to work in Rai’s production.
“There will be eyeballs because of the stature he (Rai) has… I hope that I can deliver,” Duggal said.
Srivastava added that she has been a “fan” of Rai’s films.
“Working with him, I learned that there is no sense of discrimination or like sir might expect this from us or we might not be able to deliver as much, I feel sir gave us that freedom to be ourselves, to be the character.”
“Nakhrewaalii” is set to release in theatres on October 30. PTI KKP BK
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