Interview : Ishan Trivedi

	ISHAN TRIVEDI

Ishan Trivedi, who made his debut as a director way back in 2005 with the film 71/2 PHERE starring Juhi Chawla and Irrfan Khan, is back in action. His upcoming film, the Himesh Reshammiya starrer RADIO, which has already created enough stir, is all set to hit the screens on 3rd December 2009. We caught up with the director for a tete e tete. Here are the excerpts:

Hi Ishan, first of all tell us the reason behind this long gap
Nothing as such. Was mulling over few story ideas. Also it takes time to come up with a new project. Meanwhile I was also completing my other pending projects, one of them happens to be SALE UPTO 50% with newcomers, which releases coming February.

So how did RADIO happen?
Actually when I met Himesh earlier this year, it was Himesh who suggested me about RADIO. I quite liked the idea and immediately hit upon it.

Okay. Tell us something about RADIO?
All I will say is RADIO is a romantic comedy. It’s a sweet film. It’s about relationships and the complexities attached to it.

“It was Himesh who suggested me about RADIO…”

Also (Pauses & adds)…many a times it happens that people, who are good solution providers to others, turn incapable when it comes to solving their own problems. And RADIO is one such film, based on RJ’s life, depicts behind-the-scene activity of radio channels and shows how paradoxical their life can be. While for the world they may seem to be leading a perfect life but the true picture is something else.

Though Himesh is the driving force behind RADIO, but were you assured enough of casting Himseh as an actor, considering the fact that people have still not accepted him as a full-fledged actor? You had someone else in mind…
(Interrupts) NO…not at all Himesh was my first and last choice for this film. Himesh perfectly fits the bill. No one else could have done justice to the role as Himesh did. And this I am not saying for the sake of it. I actually mean it.

And I don’t agree that people have not accepted him. Common, he’s got a fantastic fan following. He was terrific in his first film AAP KA SURROR and though his second film KARZZZZ…didn’t fare well at Box-office but everyone loved his performance. I don’t understand why some people think restrictedly. Today times have changed compartmentalization is out of the window. A dancer can be director; a singer can be an actor, et cetera. It’s time to broaden our horizons.

CHECK OUT: RADIO Movie Preview

True! So how was the experience working with Himesh and what do you have to say about other stars of the film Sonal & Shenaz?
Ya the experience was damn good! Himesh has done 10/10 kind of job. And I am sure everyone will be pleasantly surprised to see Himesh in such a role. Even the girls have played their respective parts pretty well. As a director I’m more than contented with it.

With whom you were more comfortable working, senior actors like Irrfan Khan & Juhi Chawla in 71/2 PHERE or the comparatively fresh lot like in RADIO
I can confidently say that I enjoyed directing Himesh more than Irrfan.

	view RADIO movie stills

The concept of RADIO sounds pretty interesting, will it give a new direction to marriages, relationships?
(In proud tone) RADIO is a film of today, something which today’s youth will agree and relate well. It’s a very new take on relationships. I think it’s a fresh approach structurally, which has not been attempted yet. Lot of times complications arise in relations, under such circumstances one should try to identify why these complications creep in and how one can come across a solution or deal with it. So RADIO shows a very practical scenario.

The other woman concept or the fashionable philosophy ‘Move On’ has been given a negative treatment in the films till date but looks like RADIO is taking it positively
(Laughs off) Pretty Interesting question! Yeah I agree most of the times it has been looked from a negative perspective. But in RADIO there’s no concept of villain or positive or negative, it simply talks about the complexities which a normal Human faces in relationships.

“Himesh was my first and last choice for RADIO.”

Also the kind of situation varies from one person to another. We are talking about one particular situation; it may apply for one and may not apply for another. ‘Move On’ is not always correct.

Talking about the films on complex relationships, we have seen such films in the past, don’t you think audience might give it a miss, considering it’s (RADIO) resemblance to those films
It may appear or sound similar but there’s vast difference. The story is different. The presentation is different. RADIO is presented in a humourous way, in a light-hearted manner.

RADIO seems to be a completely multiplex film and not for the masses because of its content, which in a way will limit your audience?
Yes it’s a multiplex film. RADIO will be released only in 50-60 towns and big cities. We are not releasing it in other centers.

CHECK OUT: Our problems are different from our parents’ time

What do you have to say about the music of this film
People have given no.1 verdict to it. It’s a very big hit. Especially ‘Mann Ka Radio’. I have received an overwhelming response for it. Even my 6-year old nephew loved it very much and found it allegorical. The music of the film is situational. Believe it or not the music has been designed according to the film’s concept.

Lastly Bachchans’ PAA is releasing on the same day, are you getting the cold feet about releasing RADIO at the same time as PAA might outshine RADIO and you may loose out an opportunity?
No not at all. I am quite confident and not planning to budge the release of RADIO.