Aamir Khan made his directorial debut in 2007 with the coming-of-age tearjerker Taare Zameen Par. Eighteen years later, he’s following it up with a religious successor in Sitaare Zameen Par, which is neither a tearjerker nor directed by him. RS Prasanna, who made his Hindi directorial debut with Ayushmann Khurrana and Bhumi Pednekar-starrer hit romantic comedy Shubh Mangal Saavdhan in 2017, is helming this movie. In an unique interview with SCREEN, he opens up on working with Aamir and extra.
Why has it taken you eight years to direct your second Hindi characteristic after Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017)?
As a result of I used to be scared folks will ask, “Is your movie nearly as good as Shubh Mangal Saavdhan?” Even once I have a look at that movie now, I solely see flaws. So one feels actually scared to embark on that journey once more, till you discover a fantastic script and the fitting set of individuals. Then the joy of a narrative suggestions the steadiness over your anxiousness. That’s when you already know it’s time to go on set. I’ve additionally been busy spending time with household. I had my second son. I’ve additionally been absorbing books and flicks. Then Covid occurred. So I didn’t plan for not directing these eight years.
Like Sitaare Zameen Par, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan can also be about incapacity, a sexual one at that. Do you see that parallel?
Greater than incapacity, I feel it’s about discrimination. You are feeling lesser and discriminated in opposition to. These have one thing to do with the underdog inside us who desires to do higher. Once you see films like these, it’s like a fantasy coming true. It’s an excellent excessive.
RS Prasanna directing Genelia D’Souza and Aamir Khan.
Sitaare Zameen Par is an official adaptation of the 2018 Spanish movie Campeones. How did it grow to be a religious sequel to Taare Zameen Par?
It really got here very organically once we began pre-production. As a result of I used to be consistently speaking about and referencing Taare Zameen Par, how a lot I adore it and the way it’s a masterpiece. I requested him how he did some scenes, just like the one when Ishaan Awasthi is dropped at college, the shot division there’s so lovely! So sooner or later, Aamir sir stated there are a whole lot of parallels, not by way of the plot, however the thought and the sensation of inclusion. So he recommended let’s make it a religious successor or an extension of that. All of us bought very excited.
How did the title come up?
Aamir sir stated now that we’ve determined to enter this zone, the title ought to give the sensation that it’s an extension of Taare Zameen Par, however is a feel-good, therapeutic movie. One of many workforce members recommended Sitaare Zameen Par, Aamir sir instantly jumped at it.
RS Prasanna directing Aamir Khan.
What have been you searching for whereas auditioning the ten new actors you’re launching with the movie?
Firstly, I used to be searching for the calling for appearing. You realize they’re performers. They don’t have stage fright. Secondly, I used to be searching for a novel character that the script demanded. It was an arduous process by way of casting. We had an excellent casting director in Tess Joseph. Discovering them took a very long time. However as soon as we discovered them, we simply did fundamental workshops on appearing and basketball teaching.
On the finish of the trailer, Aamir’s character retains telling one of many college students to focus, and he asks him to close up. Had been you additionally in that spot on set?
All of us found that early on that these sitaare are very sorted. The woman, who performs Golu, requested me throughout auditions, “So, when are we beginning promotions?” So I didn’t have to inform them something apart from what I’d inform any actor. Sure, we simply did a bit little bit of workshopping like we’d do with any younger actor.
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RS Prasanna is launching 10 new actors with Sitaare Zameen Par.
There was a part in the course of the making when Aamir determined to stop appearing. What was your response like when he broke the information to you?
It was very stunning! Think about when a famous person like Aamir meets me and decides to stop appearing, folks would blame me. Aisa kya tha director mein ki he made a famous person stop appearing! It was a really unusual second. However I knew it was an emotional response by Aamir sir. Just like the sitaare, he’s additionally bought that keeda of appearing. Aamir sir is a toddler of cinema. He’s by no means going to stop appearing. I advised him that. So, you are taking a break. Actually, it is best to take a break since you’re going by way of an emotional part. And time heals. However to say you’ll stop appearing is like Sachin Tendulkar saying he’d stop cricket or AR Rahman saying he’d stop music. It’s unparalleled!
Did you see something shift inside him when he returned to appearing after that?
After I met him in 2020, I already discovered him to be a really actual and weak man. I discovered that shockingly endearing! Possibly that’s him all alongside. I hadn’t met him earlier than that. The transient I bought from different administrators was he’s a completely fabulous particular person to work with. He’s a really emotional particular person, which is essential so that you can be a filmmaker. The time he took off to spend time together with his household and family members healed him rather a lot. I keep in mind him telling me that he was at an airport, and so many individuals got here to him and stated, “We cherished Laal Singh Chaddha. Maintain doing this sort of cinema. We love you!” So, he bought a lot of affection after that that it healed him.
After Laal Singh Chaddha didn’t work, Aamir confessed he didn’t pitch his efficiency appropriately. Did you discover him going by way of that introspection as an actor whereas making Sitaare Zameen Par?
A big a part of being Aamir Khan is being self-critical. When he says it’s due to him, I’d put it on his tendency to be over self-critical and likewise on his generosity. He’s a legend, proper? Once you work with such a radical skilled, each day is a brand new day. So far as I’m involved, Laal Singh Chaddha is a gorgeous movie, straight from the center! All of us make unsuitable decisions as administrators or actors relating to the tone of the movie. It’s solely on reflection that we understand if it’s proper or unsuitable. One hopes no matter one does, it’s simply trustworthy.
Since Genelia D’Souza was first forged reverse Imran Khan in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008), have been you involved how she’d be seen forged reverse his uncle in Sitaare Zameen Par?
One is conscious while you focus on it. However one can also be hopeful that when you see visuals of this film, you’ll see it as a unique world. After I watched Bajirao Mastani (2015), I’d not too long ago seen an advert of Ranveer Singh, wherein he was being his regular trendy, goofy self. I used to be questioning as a director and a pupil of cinema, whether or not it’d have an effect on me. After which after watching the primary shot of Bajirao Mastani, I simply forgot every part. Cinema has bought that magic! So ya, working with Genelia has been such a pleasure. She’s stuffed with constructive power. She’s an excellent actor, and we love her within the South! Apparently, she’s carried out all languages — Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and now, Marathi, clearly.
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Additionally Learn — How Aamir Khan was troubled by son Junaid’s situation: Why dyslexia is a studying problem and is misunderstood
What are you able to inform us concerning the streaming premiere of Sitaare Zameen Par?
The official communication is that it’s solely coming in theatres. The way in which Aamir sir works, he’s very specific. He’s a perfectionist in each sense. I belief him to do no matter’s greatest for not solely the movie, but in addition the entire business. I say this as a fan, when Aamir sir does something, it’ll be an accurate transfer at 360 levels. At the moment, we’d like thought leaders like him to point out us the best way. So, I’m additionally wanting ahead to what he decides, identical to you.