Shekhar Kapur: Casting makes or breaks a film

The beautifully shot Nicole Kidman-Arjun Rampal Schweppes commercial has put Shekhar Kapur back in the news. India’s only successful crossover director talks about working with Nicole Kidman, suggesting India as the location for the commercial shoot, Mr. India 2 and tells us why the right casting is of prime importance in a film.

How did you bag the Schweppes ad?
I got a call from Ridley Scott Associates. They are one of the largest commercial producers in the world. They asked me if I was interested in directing a commercial, as their client had asked for me. It was difficult because I generally don’t do commercials, so they had a problem getting in touch with me, but eventually, they convinced me.

How was it working with Arjun Rampal and Nicole Kidman?
I had done a commercial with Arjun 20 years ago. Having seen him in front of the camera, I recommended him to Ashok Mehta, who is the Director of Photography. I said that I had shot a commercial once with a guy called Arjun Rampal and that he would be good for this ad film. So, that is how is started, and this is my second commercial with Arjun Rampal.

We were not originally going to shoot the commercial in India. They wanted a place high on glamour, fashion-conscious. They wanted to shoot in London, Paris or New York. I said I could bring in a sense of history if we shot the ad in India. So, I persuaded them to shoot it here.

I called up Nicole and asked her if she would like to come to India. She was very excited about it, but she has just delivered a baby girl, so she couldn’t stay very long. Her original plan was to come to India on a week-long holiday with her family. But that didn’t work out. So she was just here for 3 nights. She was very tired, but very co-operative and fun to be with. For someone who has been the biggest female star in the world, she is extremely nice and humble.

Tell us about the making of the ad.
It was all memorable, but also a lot of hard work because they were all night shots. The little girl from Slumdog Millionaire, Rubina Ali, was also part of it, so we had work around her. Nicole was very tired. We had to work round the clock for three nights to complete it.

Moving on to Mr. India 2, when do you start shooting for it?
Mr. India 2 was not my idea originally. It was Mr. Manmohan Shetty who came up with the idea, who had formed his new company called Walk on Water. He suggested that we should do a sequel, and if I were willing to come aboard. I told him that I would like to come aboard in any other way, but that of a director, as he and I have been friends for many years. So, I became the Creative Head of the project. We then spoke to Anil Kapoor and Boney Kapoor, who were excited about making the film. I then wrote the structure of the film with Mr. Kamlesh Pandey. Due to Slumdog Millionaire’s success, Anil got a part on 24 and so, he will be gone for a year. We have postponed the film till he comes back.

Who are the actors who are playing the characters?
In the story that I have written, parts for Sridevi, Anil Kapoor, Satish Kaushik and Anu Kapoor are there, though I haven’t spoken to him yet. Beyond them, all the parts are new, and we haven’t cast anyone yet. Mogambo is another main character who hasn’t been cast as yet.

What is the story all about?
I cannot reveal anything at the moment because of copyright issues. I can say that the biggest problem was replacing Amrish Puri, because his character was so strong. He made much more of the character than was written, and was a main character in the film. Actually, all the actors feel that Amrish Puri will be sorely missed. I had to compensate a lot while writing the story by creating a character that could come up to the expectations of Amrish Puri and his performance.

The shooting of the film depends on Anil, because he will be shooting for 24 in the US for I don’t know how long. We haven’t found a director yet. I am not quite sure how long that will take.

Why aren’t you directing the film?
That is because I have already done it, and somebody needs to come with a new take and spirit. I am already contracted to direct other movies.

You are focusing on your dream project, Paani, right?
Yes, there is Paani and two other Hollywood films that I am contracted to do. I am not available to direct for another 2-2.5 years.

Tell us something about Paani.
The script is ready, the funding is ready, and I don’t know when I will start shooting. It is a film of my own heart and a passion project of mine. The problem right now is that I am contracted to direct two Hollywood films, which I cannot talk about. They are my prior commitments. In the next three months, they need to tell me when the shooting will start. Otherwise, I will start making Paani, which is my passion project.

There is a new wave in Indian cinema. From the films you have seen recently, what have you liked?
There is a new wave of films that have come out of Bollywood, and I like that very much. I loved A Wednesday, Aamir, Mumbai Meri Jaan and Dev D. I generally like Anurag Kashyap’s films. There are a new slew of directors coming in too. The new wave of films coming into the Hindi film industry is very interesting.

If you had to cast a Bollywood actor in a Hollywood film, who would you choose?
That depends completely on the part and only on the part. If you look at Slumdog Millionaire, the people were caste according to their parts and because of that, the film was so good and successful. Casting is one of the prime make-or-break factors in a film that is a drama film. If you don’t cast it right, if it is a drama or even a comedy, the audience will not get the film. Directors often write a film around a star. I have never done that, because I don’t believe in it. I am absolutely dedicated to the concept and story of the film. If I don’t cast it right, the true essence or message of the film will not come across. If I cast a known face for the reason that they are a known face, then I will fail. I always cast an actor according to the character.