Director's take on Ek: The Power Of One

Director Sangeeth Sivan is a happy man. He has managed to wrap up his upcoming film Ek - The Power of One as per the schedule. Starring Nana Patekar and Bobby Deol in the lead, his Hindi remake of superhit Telugu film Athadu would most likely be seeing a release in the month of August.

"Yes, I am indeed happy that the film has shaped up so fast and so well", confesses an ever energetic Sangeeth, "It was a challenge to make a film that I have always touted as Die Hard meeting DDLJ. Once you make a statement like this, you have to be doubly sure to make an entertainer which truly turns out to be a right mix of action and romance."

Has he been successful in doing that? After all it has been ages since he made an action film. Also, post the success of Apna Sapna Money Money and Kya Kool Hai Hum, he is known more as a film maker who knows a funny trick or two? "This is why I wanted to move on and make some different cinema. I sincerely believe that we as a team have been able to even surpass the expectations that we had set for ourselves. I am so glad to have both Nana and Bobby to be on the same frame."

Well, one can understand that. After all Bobby is going through a good run with critical acclaim coming his way with Apne, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Shakalaka Boom Boom and most recently Naqaab. On the other hand ever reliable Nana could well be the film's USP.

"Yes, both Bobby and Nana are so contrasting, both in real life and as the characters in the film, that it gives me ample opportunity to explore their different facets ", says Sangeeth excitedly, "Bobby is very much an on-off actor. He could be doing anything on the sets but once the shot is ready, he transforms into a character right away. As soon as you call 'cut', he would be back to his regular self."

How about Nana? One expects nothing but the best when he is on the frame. "And you can expect the same in Ek - The Power of One too", declares Sangeeth, "He would be seen in a never-seen-before avtar in my film. Agree that numerous film makers have laid their claim in a similar manner before but watch Ek and you would see the difference. As an actor, he is a delight on the sets since he wants to understand a scene in entirety before he faces the camera. He has to be convinced about whatever is required to happen in a shot and he would always be bubbling with suggestions. For his character, we took a conscious call that he won't be a typical Nana."

Errr, not typical Nana? Is it really possible? Explains Sangeeth with a wink, "Why not? In fact Nana has an entirely new get up in the film as a CBI Inspector. No boring costumes for him as he would be seen in tight T-shirts, bermudas, shades and bandana. Overall he has been given a dude American look. His character has a touch of humor as for him any and every thing is related to a woman. Now can you beat that?"

Certainly not! So it appears that he is mighty pleased about his choice of actors here. "Yes, I am indeed. While I had worked with Riteish (Deshmukh) in my last two hits ASMM and KKKH, it is for the first time that I have worked with either Nana or Bobby. I have repeated Chunkey (Pandey) though after ASMM and he has done a fabulous job once again. Shreya Saran (the pretty lass who was last seen in Awarapan and Tamil blockbuster Sivaji) is a talent that is waiting to explode. Our decision of roping in a face which wasn't over exposed has been proved right."