Interview with Ranbir Kapoor and Shamit on Rocket Singh

'I was a 35 per cent with grace marks student'
Ranbir talks about being Rocket Singh

As an actor do you think you need to sell your talent?

Ranbir: Not at all. One thing I will never indulge in is PR. I truly believe that PR is the death of an actor. Look at Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand. They went on and on for 25 years, just on the basis of their work. And fans did not get tired of seeing them because they weren't all over the place. In the end, it's about the films you do. Not about what you do in your personal life, which awards you bag or which NGO you support.

What's with your Sardar look in the film?
Ranbir: Honestly this is not a film on Sardars, so it's not the USP. It's a character you and me can identify with. The look is not an item inthe film . It's about a young boy, fresh out college, who is just starting in the professional world. That time in a person's life when he has to battle with the corporate work force and make his mark.

Actors often complain of the beard and make-up when playing a Sardar…
Ranbir: I had no problems, as my mom is a Sikh. So that background helped me in my character. Shimit was very clear that I had to look like a real Sardar as opposed to being Ranbir Kapoor with a fake beard. So we paid extra attention on getting the look right.

What were the reactions from people close to you?
Ranbir: My Mom loved it. My nani (maternal grandmom, who passed away recently) too, was very thrilled seeing on me as a Sardar. It's great because for the first time I had changed my look for any film. And now I have understood how important it is. The right look takes care of 20 per cent of your performance.

The promos have you talking about grace marks and flunking college. Any personal experiences?

Ranbir: Oh absolutely. It was just the same with me. I too was a 35 per cent with grace marks student in some of my papers.

Obviously your first name can't be Rocket in the film. So what's the relevance of the title and the paper plane theme?

Ranbir: My name is Harpreet Singh Bedi in the movie. The 'paper plane rockets' are a marketing tool to create curiosity and excitement. We believe that marketing a movie is about making the audience curious and leading them to the theatres.

But given that you had two back-to-back hits this year, why is the promotion so low key? Are you happy with the limited publicity?

Ranbir: I am very glad it's happening this way. Any other way of promoting the movie wouldn't have been fair. Ours is not a lavish film with exaggerated action and make believe song sequences. So we aren't going to cheat people by artificially over packaging the movie. Such a story needs to be handled with care. No flashy cuts needed here.

Meanwhile we are joined in by director Shimit Amin, who displays a silent air of confidence around his film.

With no offense to Ranbir's huge box-office draw - after making a landmark film with Shah Rukh Khan it would have been an obvious choice to make another SRK film. Why didn't you take forward the Chak De! India association?

Shimit: We would love to work with Shah Rukh Khan all the time. And I am sure he would have done Rocket Singh Salesman of the Year very well. But it wouldn't have a right. This movie demands Ranbir.

The used car salesman is a prototype Hollywood character. Since you have stayed in America, did any of those 'smooth talking' elements influence you?

Shimit: It was basically Jaideep Sahni's concoction about the salesman culture of India. It's completely unique and has a milieu of it its own. I think this is true for the entire Indian middle class, which throws up so many exciting situations to refer upon.

Encounter cop, Hockey coach and now salesman. Do you pick a profession first and then the script?

Shimit: No, nothing of that sort. It's basically about finding the right script that excites you. And believe me it is very hard to find a story that appeals to you to the extent that you go ahead making a film.

 This one's for both of you. A salesman is usually an unwanted entity who calls or rings the bell at the most inappropriate hours. Did you'll judge the mindset of a pesky salesman and the way you'll would respond to one?

Shimit: This bit is touched upon in the story. But it's not the only thing in the film.

Ranbir: Obviously we all tend to get a bit irritated when you are in the middle of 100 things and you get a sales call. But after doing this film I have begun to respect the skills of a salesman, a lot more. And next time onwards I think all of us should take a minute and hear the person out with a cool head. He is after all doing his job.

Finally Ranbir, how is the association with Yash Raj Films. You seem to be becoming a new favourite here.

Ranbir: This is family. My mom and dad have done so many films with them. And now I am doing some interesting work here. The banner's biggest strength is its working environment. Despite being such a huge name, they don't behave like or perceive themselves as some hotshot corporate entity. Yash Raj Films has the personal touch.

(Buzz 18)

First Look of 'Rocket Singh – Salesman of the Year'

Rocket Singh – Salesman of the Year went on floors on May 2, 2009. This marks the coming together once again of the “Chak De India” Director/Writer combination of Shimit Amin & Jaideep Sahni in a funny & exhilarating coming of age movie, set in the new Indian economy. The extremely popular and talented Ranbir Kapoor plays the lead role as the salesman of the year. This Yash Raj Films movie is set to release in December 2009.



image courtsy : yrf (taken from msn)

Madhuri Dixit in Yash Raj's next?

She maybe setting up home and hearth in America but Dhak Dhak girl Madhuri Dixit is still very much in demand. And the dancing diva is now gearing up for the Bachchan’s Unforgettable tour as she will be doing one of the surprise performances in the American leg of the show.

The failure of her come back movie Aaja Nachla has certainly disappointed Madhuri. Though she is not keen to do many films after Aaja Nachle there are many filmmakers who are still keen to sign her.

According to the latest buzz Chak De fame Shimit Amin has approached Madhuri to play the protagonist for his forthcoming film. Reportedly the movie is about a dancer. While Madhuri who is miffed with Yash raj for not promoting her film properly seems a bit reluctant to work with them again.

(TOI)

Ranbir In Chak De India Directors Next

Ranbir Kapoor will star in Shimit Amin's next directorial venture after Chak De India.

The film is a romantic film and will be produced by Aditya Chopra. Reports suggest that Aditya Chopra is so impressed with Ranbir's work in Bachna Ae Haseeno that when Shimit Amin suggest Ranbir's name for his film, Aditya agreed immediately.

Bachna Ae Haseeno is carrying excellent reports with the music likely to be amongst the best of 2008.

(box office india)

Chak De India to premiere in London

MUMBAI: The world premiere of Yash Raj Films' forthcoming movie, Chak De India (Go for it India), starring Shah Rukh Khan, will be held on 9 August 2007 at Somerset House, London.
The premiere, which forms part of the Film 4 Summer Screen programme, will be held as one of the highlights of India Now, a three-month season celebrating London's growing relationship with India.

The event will see London's Somerset House transformed into a full-scale open-air cinema, complete with a state of the art giant screen, 35mm projection and surround-sound. Khan is expected to attend the premiere. Following a red carpet arrival, up to 2,000 moviegoers will enjoy the film's debut within the setting of Somerset House's courtyard.

Produced by Aditya Chopra and directed by Shimit Amin, Chak De India is the comeback story of an ageing hockey player (Shah Rukh Khan). The film sees Khan starring as coach, fighting his personal demons as he takes a motley group of girls to the pinnacle of world hockey.
The India Now season is set to launch on 17 July 2007 with a visual display of India and London's most iconic landmarks. The event will be attended by a selection of famous Indian and London cultural ambassadors. Over 150 of London's cultural organisations and attractions will participate in the India Now season, which will showcase India's contribution to world culture, its rich tradition and celebrate new Indian trends across business, art, film, theatre, food, music and fashion.