Yesteryear actor and director Tarun Dhanrajgir’s latest movie ‘Bolo Hau’ has released last week. The movie marks the acting debut of his daughter Jahnavi Dhanrajgir, who has been cast opposite Ankit Rathi. The model and theatre actor is best remembered for playing Mr. Darcy in Trishna, the 1985 Indian television remake of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Recently, Tarun talked about the romantic tale that has a Hyderabadi touch to it.
1) Much has changed since Trishna? What are some of the pleasant ones and some that you miss from your hay days?
Yes, a lot has changed. Most importantly the attitudes. We’re talking about a span of more than 30 years. It wasn’t so professional then. We worked as friends. Now I see the youngsters are so professional. It’s good. Though in so doing the warmth has disappeared. Relationships have become use based. Not that it didn’t exist then. But not to the extent now.
2) How was it to direct your daughter?
It was a pleasant surprise. She has surpassed my expectations of her. Not only has she gone beyond her brief in her performance but her editing of the film is flawless too. And to do that in your very first film is truly commendable. She has probably created history as the first debut heroine to also edit the film.
3) You have roots in Hyderabad, is that the reason why you have placed the story in that city or the script demanded it?
We wrote the script with Hyderabad as a character. In the sense of using all the idiosyncrasies of this city to give it a unique flavour. That’s why the line ‘Hyderabadi Tadka’. And the fact that I have my roots here definitely helped in creating real and believable characters and situations.
4) Do you think Jahnavi will get a nepotism backlash since it’s something that is plaguing the industry these days and that you have chosen to orchestrate her debut?
Not sure about that. I’m not really a big daddy in the industry. Besides I’m making a comeback too. And then nice you see the film you will realise the correctness of my choice for the character of Rukhsar. And she didn’t just get it. She had to audition for it and only when I was convinced that she could pull off this role did I decide to cast her. Whatever it is, there will always be people pointing fingers. Best to ignore it and move on.
5) What are you more anxious about - your debut as a director or hers as an actor?
I’m not nervous of either. I am absolutely confident of my abilities and hers. Anyway, this is just the first step. There’s a long journey ahead of her. I see a great future for her. As for me. I have a few scripts ready to be turned into films. I’ll get busy with those.
6) Tell us something about the shoot process - how would a typical day be like on the sets of Bolo Hau? Any funny incident that you recall?
A typical day on our set starts at 7am. The whole unit sits together for breakfast before each one gets busy with their jobs. I like to start the day in a relaxed mode. Because the rest of the day I know is going to be stressful. I believe that a happy crew will always give their 100%. On my set everyone is equal. Dignity of labour is very important to me. As far as funny incidents go our whole shoot was fun. You must join us sometime.
7) Did covid impact the timelines of your film in terms of shoot, release - since this is your debut and also your daughter’s a lot must have been on stake - how did you handle the crisis?
The only way to handle any crisis is with patience. Luckily, we finished our shoot before the Pandemic hit us. Except one song. Though that doesn’t impact our film much because it plays in the end credits. But as a filmmaker it feels incomplete. If we get a positive response from the audience. I may shoot and add that song even now.
But it did affect an early release though it probably has worked in our favour. Because now we don’t have to compete with a big star cast film. The playing field is even. Gives us a chance for word of mouth to spread. Because this film will depend a lot on that.
