Now this one falls under 'believe it or not' category but is actually true. Though this weekend's release YEH JAWAANI HAI DEEWANI may appear to be a real-life take of once-lovers-now-friends Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, apparently the film's genesis had absolutely nothing to do with the love story that went kaput. Instead, it was Govinda who turned out to be a driving force for the film to find its core.
"That's true," informs a source, "The story goes like this. A couple of years back Ayan Mukerji, who has written and directed the film, went to the wedding of one of his close friends from the days of school. Since they belong to the generation that has grown up on Govinda films, it was imperative that his songs were being played. Prudence aside, it just turned out that the night of celebrations turned into a 'Govinda nite'. One of the friends took on the mantle of being a DJ who played select Govinda songs till wee hours in the morning. Right from HERO NO. 1 to AANKHEN to PARTNER, just about everything was played."
This is when Ayan realized that youngsters were going crazy on the songs being played and they were celebrating like there was no tomorrow.
"I saw how everyone was just plain happy. There were some kids who may not have been as much familiar with Govinda's work as me but it was the sense of euphoria that prevailed. They were just dancing on the music and the sheer energy that came along," says Ayan who would be turning 30 in August this year.
While one wonders if songs like 'Balam Pichkari' and 'Batmaeez Dil' actually turned out to be an outcome of all the fun that happened that eventful night, the fact remains that Ayan, who had made a niche urban flick WAKE UP SID at the beginning of his career, had now decided to take a much massy route.
"It was at that moment that I knew what it is about a youngster that makes his life and the choices that he makes so amazing and brilliant. That was the genesis of YEH JAWAANI HAI DEEWANI and this is what I am trying to take forward. And yes, Govinda is a big contributing factor for sure," smiles Ayan before signing off.
