A discussion of the Bollywood era of the 90s will be incomplete without the mention of Rajiv Rai. The expert filmmaker delivered two of the best films of that decade, mohra (1994) and guppy (1997), and both are remembered for their plot, performances and of course the soundtrack. Both films recently had their respective anniversaries. While mohra 28 years completed on July 1 guppy celebrated 25 years on July 4.
28 Years of Mohra EXCLUSIVE: “It was a risky film with new faces; I thought Suniel Shetty and Akshay Kumar would fit the role” – Rajiv Rai
Bollywood Hungama spoke exclusively with Rajiv Rai about these films. The filmmaker poured out his heart as he spoke in depth about these films and much more.
Before mohrahad directed Rajiv Rai Yudhu (1985), Tridev (1989) and Vishwatma (1992), all of whom played with major stars of the era. In mohra, he cast Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty, who were relatively new. When asked why he did that, he replied, “There was no calculation. I just went with the flow.”
However, he admitted that “it was a risky film with new faces”, adding: “I thought Suniel and Akshay fit the role. We also had Divya Bharti who sadly passed away. We introduced her Vishwatma. She wanted to make the film, but she couldn’t. Then Raveena Tandon was signed to the film.”
Rajiv Rai said he’s lucky he didn’t face any challenges while getting the right casting. He said: “The only time I got stuck in casting was during… Tridev for the role of Naseeruddin Shah. I wanted three big, popular names for the male cast. I was looking for someone who would add a bit of a surprise and make the movie look different from the usual Bollywood movies. I knew Naseer was an excellent actor. So I took the chance to see whether or not he is interested in the role.” However, Naseeruddin Shah agreed to board immediately. The experienced actor was then also seen in Rajiv’s Vishwatma, mohra and Asambhavi (2004).
Rajiv Rai elaborated on his way of working and why music is the most important thing in his films: “To me the subject matter is important and so is the music as it is part of the subject matter and entertainment. Songs were an integral part at that time, which they are not in today’s time. You have to tell your story through the songs, and you have to make sure your song is a hit. Otherwise everyone will rest during the songs!”
He added: “Honestly, it was never about the money. I think the reason I was a little bit successful is that I never put any money into the movie. I always put the film first. My father (prominent producer Gulshan Rai) taught me very well: ‘Don’t chase money, money will chase you. Make a good movie. Don’t worry about how much you spend. Make sure the movie works. The rest will follow.’ So I’ve always concentrated very hard on the screenplay, the editing, the action, the music, etc.”
Rajiv Rai spoke highly of Viju Shah, who has composed music in almost all of his films: “Viju Shah was my backbone, my right hand! I could get my music out of him. He could give me the music I wanted. He knows exactly what I want.”
Meanwhile, Rajiv Rai had a great time celebrating the 25th anniversary of guppy with a special screening of the film, held by Radio Nasha, in Mumbai. The star cast – Bobby Deol and Kajol – along with Viju Shah and other actors and crew attended the event, which was held on July 9.
Talking about this celebration and the fact that he has to leave India immediately after guppyOn his release, he said, “I left the country in 1997. The whole universe knows about it. I don’t want to go into details. Because I wasn’t here, I couldn’t enjoy the kind of success I could have. But I enjoy it now. I didn’t enjoy it then. Perhaps the light above saw that he didn’t enjoy it and thought he deserved to enjoy it. So if I can enjoy it after 25 years, it’s never too late! I feel very happy that people have recognized 25 years guppy. I am very grateful to the cast and crew who have worked with me, and my audience who saw and enjoyed the film.”
The USP of guppy was that no one could guess who the killer would be. The shocker worked in favor of the film. Rajiv applauded: “I worked very hard on that. I knew the public was guessing. I wanted to know if I could get them to guess wrong and convince them with my suspense. It’s a test I passed then. Will I pass my next test? I don’t know (laughs)!”
Bollywood Hungama recently broke the news that he is going to make his next movie, 18 years after his last movie Asambhavi was released in theaters. What is his next movie about? Rajiv Rai replied: “It’s a thrilling movie, a murder mystery. It has 0% similarities to guppy, although. You have to guess the killer. I’ve been writing it for 4-5 years. In 2016 I decided to make this film because I was bored and not doing the work I was supposed to do.”
He continued: “This film gives me immense happiness because for the first time I am not stressed about the budget. The USP of my film is that it is not that big of a budget. Every film of mine had a budget. I asked myself wondering what it is I didn’t do So I didn’t make a movie like a neighbor who has no money in his pocket and still makes a hit movie I wondered can I do that And the answer is why not? That’s for me the challenge in this film I have not tried to cut the budget The subject I have written does not require much (of a budget) I make films for the audience and I don’t want them to say I compromise have closed.”
However, he clarified: “It is an experimental film and it will also be an artistic film. But it will not be an art cinema. I make it as commercial as can be. It’s a movie that looks and feels like a Rajiv Rai movie!”
Also read: 28 years Mohra EXCLUSIVE: “When Anand Bakshi told Rajiv Rai about ‘Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast’, we thought it would look cheap. However, Anand ji explained, ‘Yeh toh Daaru ki bottle ke upar goka hai’” – Shabbir Boxwala
More pages: Gupt Box Office Collection
BOLLYWOOD NEWS – LIVE UPDATES
Catch us up on latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movie Update, Box Office Collection, New Movies Release, Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today and Upcoming Movies 2022 and keep up to date with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.