Source: IndiaFM
Date: September 26, 2009
Excerpts from the interview
You seem to be showing quite some confidence in your actors…
See, roping in an actor are just some commercial decisions that you have to calmly take before making a movie. When Jodhaa Akbar was being worked upon, Hrithik's Krissh and Dhoom 2 hadn't released. It was being said that Hrithik couldn't get a hit without his father. Now all that was of course a myth! Still, when I announced Jodhaa Akbar with Hrithik, there was an immediate reaction that how could Hrithik be Akbar!
You must have been terribly disappointed?
On the contrary I welcomed such feedback. This is how you realise that how audience is reacting and thinking about a particular actor. I had a confidence in him that he was the true Akbar. He is someone who is naturally a prince; whether it's his approach or his walk. It's just that when there are adverse reactions to someone's casting, you have to give that little 25%. We said to each other that we are going to make it happen and work towards that. Same happened with Aishwarya Rai going all out for being Jodhaa.
From Aamir to Shah Rukh to Hrithik, you have worked with the best of the best....
With both Aamir and Shah Rukh, I have been a co-actor once so it's quite some relaxed atmosphere. It was different though in case of Hrithik since we never knew each other before talks began for Jodhaa Akbar. But then with him you can share a lot of wisdom about cinema since he has seen it all so up close with Rakeshji. There are a lot of diverse views that can be expressed. Something similar was the case with Harman too since he is again from the industry. He is highly aware about how movies are made. Harman is from the industry so he is highly aware about how movies are made
Ever thought of making a movie with them again?
Yes, I would love to work with these people again. So yes, in a way I am fortunate to have had an association with these actors. (Smiles) Strange thing is that each of these actors has green lit some very different movies. The decision to rope any one of them again would be driven by the script. I always want the script to allow me and make that decision. If that script is right and the character is aiming towards a particular actor, then I go for that actor.