A. The attempt was to do something different and the reaction we received for the trailer both from here and other industries of the West has been great. They have asked me questions like how did you manage to do these shots that even we’ve not managed as yet. So it makes me feel proud that we’ve done all this in India. Why do people think that we can’t do it?
Q. The trailers do give a jist of the film but you’ve not put a lot of dialogues in it?
A. Even the film doesn’t have too many dialogues, that’s why I needed very good performers and it took me a year. I wanted them to emote more than speaking and I was really happy to get the cast I got as they did exactly what I wanted.
Q. That means that language will not be a barrier, as the film majorly stands on the characters’ emotions?
A. The movie was made in such a way that even if you watch it silently you will understand it.
Q. Could you shed some light on your character in the film?
A. The movie focuses on a parent and child relationship and that’s what comes out in all tracks. It’s more like today’s scenario where a parent is more of a friend towards a child and to what length a parent can go to protect their child. As it’s one of the biggest forms of unconditional love. This also happens to be the basic theme of the film which is very, very emotional. Whereas the title is the name of the character Shivaay and he’s fascinated by the same things that I’m personally fascinated with, and that’s lord Shiva. Along with his imperfections, that are, he used to drink, he was simple and ultimately destroys all evil. As he is just like you and me and that’s what fascinates me and this character who is simple with all the flaws that a human has but in the end fights evil to protect his family.
Q. How is it going back to the director’s chair? Was it any different from the last time?
A. Yes, it was completely different as that was a very small film based on Alzheimer’s while this is a completely different film. Plus the scale and logistics were some things that were practically impossible to shoot but it was the mind and the passion that drove us and we achieved something. My whole team was very skeptical of whether we will be able to fulfill what is going on in my head but once we started shooting and after a day or two they saw yes he is doing what he said and they all stood by me. Shooting at -20, -21 degrees is not possible humanly but we managed to do it. I think I am very lucky to have had a team like this.
Q. Everyone’s talking about the classic cinematography and the beautiful locations. Did it take a lot of time to decide these locations?
A. Yes we did, because we found the locations which were untouched completely and then getting there with all the equipment and shooting there in that weather that was the toughest part.
Q. You said people in the West have appreciated the action sequences and a lot of people are comparing the action sequences to Hollywood. Was that a part of your thought?
A. I wasn’t competing with anybody, I just wanted to prove one point that why do people keep talking about that we can’t do it. We can do it and try to do it better than them and that’s what I think we have achieved but that’s for you to decide later.
Q. Does acting and directing the same movie become very difficult?
A. No, not really. I was very clear about everything. It’s the production that troubles you more than the acting and direction.
Q. Do you think you are better suited to do this film now that you are a father yourself?
A. I’d say yes, it all started from there but I’ve always loved children, so…
Q. How was your family’s response when they saw the film?
A. They loved it. They had tears in their eyes and a smile on their face and those were the exact emotions I wanted to touch upon while making the film.
Q. You’ve always enjoyed releasing your films around Diwali, why is it a special time for you?
A. Not really. You don’t plan your films that way. You just look for a good weekend and release your films then. Diwali happens to be one, Chrisman another and there are a few other weeks. So people try and look forward to releasing their films around the festive season so that people are free and they go and watch the movies more.
Q. Is there anything different or unique that you did for Shivaay that you haven’t done earlier?
A. Yes, that would be jumping off a cliff. I’m afraid of heights and have jumped off great heights earlier but never off a cliff.
Q. You are about to complete 25 years in Bollywood. How do you plan to celebrate that?
A. I don’t even feel that’s it’s been 25 years as you don’t even realise it. So I’ll just keep on working. It’s going to be an anniversary or something. But it’s feels great that 25 years have passed by. A lot has changed both for the good and the bad and I think it’s become more professional and organised but I think we have lost the warmth that we had amid each other.
Q. How challenging were the action sequences for this film?
A. They were very different and challenging at the same time. We had to design them and rehearse them very well which we did but they are all a part of a certain emotion as we had to do the action while keeping the emotions intact.