Ajay Devgn talks about 'Drishyam', his search for great scripts and a film with Shah Rukh Khan

It's a sunny day in Mumbai and Ajay Devgn, dressed in a shirt and jeans, is seated on a sofa having his lunch. His suite, overlooking the sea, is the centre point for his meetings of the day. With Nishikant Kamath's 'Drishyam' all set to release on July 31, he talks about the talented director, his ambitious directorial project 'Shivaay' and a dinner with Shah Rukh that has got everyone talking about it.

Was it hard for Nishikant Kamath to convince you for doing Drishyam?

Not at all, it was easier because lot of people from my office had seen the film. That time the film wasn’t even offered to me. They told me to that you must buy the rights or do this film. They narrated me the story it was such a fabulous script and luckily in a couple of days Nishikant offered me the film. Otherwise I was thinking to produce the film. (Smiles)

After Singham, you were on a career high. With Shivay being postponed, so much of your time got wasted with a year break. How was it to adjust your other projects?

This film (Drishyam) was signed earlier. I didn’t get one-year break. When Shivay got delayed, I just had to only call them (director) up and say ‘isko prepone kardo’. They were more than happy.

How is it working with Nishikant? You have worked with makers who present you in a certain way but here you will be totally opposite?

Actually its not! Its not just an intense role. There is a lot of heroism in the character but as a common man. Nishikant has created a very good balance between the two. This guy is beating up the whole police force with his brains and not with his hands.

Have you met Nishikant before?

I think I have met him once or twice earlier but I have come to know him through this film.

On the set, how was it with a director you are working for the first time? Were there issues over how you would be presented?

No, I knew exactly how I would be presented and Nishi did that same thing. He wanted me to cover my body, no muscles, asked me not to work out, asked me to change my body language, like my walk which is too intimidating.

A file photo of National award winning director Nishikant Kamat

Were you on the look out of movies that take you away from larger than life image on screen?

Not really, it could be larger than life or anything. I was looking for a great film with a great story.

You are working with Tabu after a long time and people have fond memories of your pairing with her in the 90’s like Vijay Path, Haqeeqat and Thakshak

Those are different films and this is a completely different film.

What happened at that time? Why didn’t makers cast both of you again?

I don’t know why. It just so happened that we never got casted again. She has become a very intense actress over the years and she was perfect for this film. We are childhood friends and we share a different relationship with each other. We were in one group, we used to all bully her. Its like two boys talking when Tabu and I meet.

Around the return of 'Singham Returns', Rohit Shetty had said that he had cracked the idea of 'Golmaal 4'. So where is that heading?

They are working on it. Let’s see when everything is concrete we will talk about it.

Or will there be a Singham 3 coming before Golmaal 4?

I really don’t know. Both the ideas are there, whichever works out better.

You will now move on to direct Shivaay?

Yes, so till the end of next year we can’t start those movies.

What are your plans with Ajay Devgn films? Some of them may star you, and some will be without you…

We are trying to make good films. Not that we want to make 100 films. Right now, we have 3-4 interesting projects that we will start working on soon.

Your take on Vishal Bhardwaj and Gulzar who have teamed up for this film?

Vishal and Gulzar, they are a lethal combination. And for a film that doesn’t have those item numbers, you need someone like them. The music has to take the story forward and Gulzar can write anything under the sun and the way Vishal take it forward it is unbelievable.

How are you involved with the music? Did you sit with them?

No I didn’t sit with them at all. In fact we were shooting in Hyderabad and they used to compose the music here and we used to listen on the phone.

When does Shivay go on floors?

Around November/December

Your meeting with Shah Rukh has got everyone talking about it…

I don’t know what is the big issue. We are colleagues and we got along well when we meet. We respect each other. It’s just that we met and spend some time.

Nothing more to it?

No

Will there be any collaboration between you and Shah Rukh at the movies?

That I am not denying. It can happen. But for that, a right project has to be worked out.