Neil-Deepika talk about Lafangey Parindey
Neil Nitin Mukesh and Deepika Padukone surely make a good pair. They look stunning together. Yash Raj Films brings them together through the film Lafangey Parindey. It is directed by Pradeep Sarkar and is scheduled for release on August 20. Here is the excerpt of the interview with the lead pair of the film. Read on...
Deepika,
we
heard
that
the
unit
made
you
work
very
hard.
You
made
tea
for
everybody?
Deepika:
Actually,
I
decided
for
myself
that
I
would
make
tea
for
everyone
because
I
like
making
tea.
Very
honestly,
I
wasn"t
liking
the
chai
that
was
being
made
on
the
set
so
finally
towards
the
end
of
the
schedule
I
decided
to
make
the
tea
myself!
Most
of
the
times
after
that
I
started
making
my
own
tea.
Neil: I think the tea was really nice! Personally I never cribbed because for me tea is tea! But after drinking the tea she made I saw that there was definitely a difference! And then she got us hooked on to it and she started making tea for us!
Deepika: Personally, I prefer coffee to tea.
Neil: Ya, even I prefer coffee to tea. I make good coffee!
Deepika: Oh! he made coffee for all of us! And it"s not like he just takes coffee and water and makes the coffee. He makes sure it"s served at the right temperature, with the correct amount of froth and sprinkles on top. He makes sure the presentation is perfect. And he does it all himself!
Neil: Well, once you"ve mastered the taste, you have to make sure the presentation is right!
Deepika: It was awesome coffee!
What
was
your
reaction
when
you
first
saw
the
trailer?
Neil:
Honestly
I
was
overwhelmed.
I
had
a
pre
conceived
notion
about
how
the
trailer
would
be.
But
whatever
Dada
(Pradeep
Sarkar),
Adi
(Aditya
Chopra)
and
the
Yash
Raj
team
made,
it"s
just
very
apt.
It
quickly
and
brilliantly
tells
you
our
story.
Very
simple
and
straightforward
-
the
trailer
is
our
film!
Deepika: The minute I saw the trailer, I was happy to see how the film had turned out. I had seen the movie only in parts, not the entire thing. Physically it had been a very draining film, especially the parts with skating, and I was happy to see how it was looking on screen finally. I am sure it had been very difficult for Dada also to direct such a difficult film!
What
was
the
reaction
of
the
others
for
the
trailer?
Deepika:
I
told
Dada
the
same
thing
I
have
never
gotten
so
many
comments
only
for
a
promo!
Neil: Even on twitter, none of us have even tweeted about the trailer, yet the number of comments we have got is overwhelming! I was shooting for Saat Khoon Maaf with Priyanka and Vishal, and they were also talking to me about the trailer! The reactions are almost like people have seen the film! They are reacting on the performances, they are reacting on how the film is looking in general.
Neil,
you
love
flowers.
But
wearing
baggy,
floral
pants
in
the
film!?
It
was
only
to
make
everyone
smile.
But
it"s
part
of
the
film
too!
Deepika,
how
was
your
experience
working
with
Neil?
Neil:
I
think
it"s
a
good
idea
if
I
answer
this
for
her.
And
then
she
should
answer
for
me.
Deepika: Haha ok.
Neil: Working with Neil was a brilliant experience. I think he is a nice, caring man who takes care of everyone on the set. He believes that filmmaking is like a family reunion, he takes interest in everyone"s togetherness. I personally loved working with Neil.
Deepika: I am glad that you think like this about yourself Neil. I wanted to say that working with Neil was torturous. He is so rude and selfish, always wanting to take his shots first. He"s a pain! Ok joking. Honestly, I think Neil is the most giving actor I have worked with. I can definitely say that he is most supportive. He puts me before himself. There are days when it"s an important scene for him too, but he would be there to support me and worry about my performance. Also, sometimes he wasn"t even shooting, but he would be there on set, helping around and be there to support me. There is a scene in the film, for which I needed different type of make up. He is trained in different types of make up and actually did my make up that day. So I can say that both professionally and personally, Neil has been there for me. I think I have a friend for life!
Neil: that"s so sweet!
Deepika: awwww moment! Don"t cry Neil, don"t cry!
Neil: Haha. For her, I would ditto that.
Deepika: Except that I made chai and he made coffee. And didn"t turn up on days when I was not shooting!
Neil: She is one person who gets a certain amount of energy when she"s around you. Her smile is just awesome! With the loveliest dimples! Her one smile puts everything straight. It"s such an honour to work with such a beautiful human being and a great friend.
How
was
your
experience
with
the
new
artistes.
They
have
weird
names
like
Chaddi,
Deisel,
Gulkand
and
Tina!
Deepika:
None
of
us
have
met
before,
I
knew
only
Namit
(Chaddi)
briefly.
But
from
the
first
day,
we
got
along
as
if
we
knew
them
all
our
lives!
Neil: All of them have given such stellar performances. When we were together, we became such good friends that I never felt like there was a camera and a setup around us, we just felt that we were told to go and live in a certain way and we did that.
Deepika: If anything, they all have helped us enhance our performances.
How
was
the
experience
with
Dada
(Pradeep
Sarkar,
the
director)?
Neil:
Dada
makes
an
audio
board
of
his
entire
film.
We
would
initially
never
understand
why
he
would
do
so
much
detailing
before
the
shoot.
I
would
wonder
why
he
made
an
audio
board,
which
would
limit
us
and
time
our
dialogues.
But
then
that
was
the
mistake!
Not
to
realize
that
even
that
is
a
way
of
making
a
film,
and
was
very
important.
We
instantly
understood
the
entire
film,
our
characters
with
so
much
depth!
We
actually
lived
the
film
before
we
went
and
shot
it.
Deepika: For a good 6 months, we lived our characters. We had started our readings, we knew our dialogues by heart, we knew which scenes came after which scene. That was only because of Dada"s way of shooting that helped us so much! We used to crib on those days, because sometimes Dada even made us dub without shooting scenes! We would spend the whole day with him at his office basically. But we understand now that it was needed because we needed to get used to the language. At the end of the day Lafangey Parindey is set in a different world after all.
Neil: Filmmakers have not touched this world for some time now and that"s what makes LP stand out.
Deepika,
Dada
has
been
making
women
oriented
films,
whether
it
is
Parineeta
or
Laaga
Chunari
Mein
Daag.
Now
this
movie
has
this
character
of
a
blind
skater,
how
do
you
feel
about
playing
this
character?
Pinky"s
character
is
a
girl
who
is
very
modern.
The
way
she
thinks,
the
kind
of
ambitions
and
her
personality
is
like
the
girls
today.
Pinky
wants
so
much
from
life,
she
wants
to
get
out
of
the
world
she
lives
in.
So
it
was
very
similar
to
the
girls
of
today.
But
I
have
to
say
that
playing
blind
and
being
a
skater
was
definitely
the
most
challenging
part.
For
a
director
and
an
actor,
from
the
day
you
start
shooting,
you
start
wondering
how
you"re
going
to
do
it.
I
will
trust
my
director
and
say
that
he
will
make
me
perform.
But
I
was
definitely
nervous.
What
is
the
story
behind
you
running
behind
chickens
etc.?
Deepika:
This
has
physically
been
the
most
challenging
film
for
me.
For
one
I
had
to
learn
how
to
skate,
then
I
had
to
act
blind,
then
I
had
to
hold
a
pigeon,
run
behind
a
chicken,
get
bitten
by
a
dead
fish
don"t
ask
me
how,
fall
a
zillion
times
and
finally
hurt
my
knee.
My
knee
still
hasn"t
healed,
by
the
way!
Oh
and
also
fall
into
a
ditch
face
in,
get
knocked
over
by
an
auto
and
hit
a
lamppost.
I
still
have
the
mark
where
the
fish
bit.
It
didn"t
stop
bleeding.
It
took
away
my
skin
from
three
places.
Is
Lafangey
Parindey
ki
reel
pe
haath
rakh
ke
kasam
khao
ki
yeh
stunts
tumne
khud
kiye
hain!
Neil:Main
Neil
Nitin
Mukesh
is
reel
pe
haath
rakhe
kasam
khata
hun
ke
yeh
stunts
maine
kiye
hain.
Lekin
they
were
safe.
They
were
coordinated
by
our
stunt
director
Shyam
Kaushal
who
gave
us
professional
training.
But
I
would
like
to
take
take
this
opportunity
to
say
to
the
viewers
that
please
don"t
try
these
stunts
at
home.
They
are
not
safe
at
all.
How
was
the
experience
of
doing
those
stunts
yourself?
Neil:
Extremely
entertaining
to
be
honest!
I
have
seen
the
Mumbai
bike
culture
myself.
I
stay
in
a
part
of
Mumbai,
the
town
side,
where
bikers
are
prevalent.
The
Chowpati
area
where
you
will
see
biker
boys
are
doing
their
stunts,
doing
their
wheelies,
zipping
across,
showing
off
not
realizing
they
are
risking
their
lives.
I
had
an
experience
last
year
and
now
I
am
doing
a
film
on
this!
So
it
was
quite
interesting
to
recall
that
experience
of
mine
and
put
it
on
screen.
It
was
rather
safe
because
of
the
action
director.
But
now
that
I"ve
seen
it
on
screen,
I
won"t
do
it
again.
You"re
in
a
different
frame
of
mind
when
you"re
in
front
of
the
screen
and
ready
to
try
out
new
things.
Plus
you
know
you
have
a
good
action
team
behind
you,
people
around
you
who
will
take
care
of
you
if
needed.
But
never
in
my
life
will
I
do
it
again.
Deepika
–
what
are
the
three
things
that
are
common
between
Neil
and
Nandu.
Neil:
Very
simple!
Good
hearted,
good
looking
and
shy.
Deepika: Bingo!
Neil
–
three
things
that
are
common
between
Deepika
and
Pinky?
Deepika:
Stunning.
Neil: Definitely. She made me fall in love with her – on screen, don"t get scared!
Deepika: ambitious and ..
Neil: Strong hearted. I love her dimples. I hid a coin in them haha.
Deepika: What rubbish!
Neil,
what
motivated
you
to
take
up
Lafangey
Parindey?
Deepika:
I
was
in
it!
Neil: Yes, that"s true! But also, if you see the films I have done until now, all of them have been very strong characters. Parag Dixit (Jail), Omar in New York, to Johnny Gaddhar. Very few times, an actor gets an opportunity to portray such characters. How could I say no! Also there are such creative people handling your character like Mr. Pradeep Sarkar, Mr. Aditya Chopra, and the one who has created it Mr. Gopi Putran. He is a genius I would say. One shot- Nandu is a very strong character.
Deepika: You know, the fact that I get to play such a strong character so early in my career, is a huge challenge. I remember Adi (Aditya Chopra) called me up and said I would like to meet you for a movie. I went and met him and he explained that the girl is blind and everything else that had to follow. I was surprised that he offered me such a film so early in my career. And he said that he thought that I had the potential to pull it off. So it was more like a challenge that was thrown at me. And also the offer came at such a time in my career that I was ready to take that challenge. It was also a very different kind of film. The character was very interesting, the world that the film is set in as compared to the other films I had done. So it was a challenge I had to accept.
Neil: A challenge very well lived upto. I have to tell her 20000 times that she is brilliant in the film. She doesn"t realize that she had set a benchmark for herself. People are definitely going to say that after seeing the film.
Deepika: I also want to give a lot of credit to Gopi, the writer. There was so much clarity in the characters right from the start. Right from the very first narration every character has a graph. That normally happens when the actors come in and the whole team decide together as you get closer to shoot and do readings. But in this case, Gopi was already so sure, for not only me but all the characters.
Neil: A writer to have such strong visual sense is incredible, and to have words to explain to your artists and the entire technical dept of the film is extremely commendable. Not only the language that he is familiar with, but every small nuance. Every hand gesture, even the way the character sits. He would know how Nandu would sit, how Pinky would sit, how Chaddi would sit, how Gulkand and Tina would sit.
Deepika,
you
ate
7
'golas"?
How
did
that
happen!
Deepika:
Yes,
I
ate
7
golas
off
screen.
Not
all
the
flavours,
just
Khatta
Meetha..
Neil: Her favorite one!
Deepika: yes, My favorite one .. and then fell sick and I had very high fever.
Neil: She was sounding like a man!
Deepika: He kept telling me that don"t eat, because I was swallowing the chunks of ice, you will fall sick. But I was enjoying it so much! I just couldn"t stop, but then I eventually fell really sick.
Neil: You were so mean! I was being genuinely nice and caring, but if someone does not listen, and fall sick…
Deepika: But then it was good because we got a day off. My face was swollen and Nutty Sir said we can"t shoot. I think that was his plan!
Who
is
Nutty
sir?
Neil:
Natrajan
Sir
is
the
cameraman,
the
DOP
of
the
film.
He
is
a
super,
mega
star
in
the
South.
I
think
that
man
does
not
need
to
do
anything
on
the
post
of
his
film.
The
way
he
lights
up
the
shot,
the
way
he
shoots
it,
I
think
it
can
straight
away
go
into
print.
I
treat
him
like
an
elder
brother.
I
have
never
had
so
much
fun
working
with
anyone
else
as
I
have
been
entertained
by
Nutty.
He
is
pretty
cool,
I
like
his
style.
Deepika: Also he"s just like a child! The way he gets so excited when he hears of a new shot. When Dada comes up with a new scene, he immediately wants to start lighting it! And also he is an actor so he acts out and shows us and starts shaking his head! He"s too cute. In his break time he is with his PSP.
Neil,
you
always
use
one
of
your
grandfather"s
belongings
in
each
film.
What
did
you
use
in
this
one?
In
Johnny
Gaddhar
I
used
his
jacket
for
a
train
sequence.
But
I
was
so
scared
that
it
would
tear.
In
Lafangey
Parindey
also
I
used
one
of
his
belongings
but
I
think
nobody
will
even
come
to
know.
I
used
one
of
his
rings
in
a
song
sequence.
The
character
One
shot
Nandu
wears
a
lot
of
thumb
rings.
My
grandfather"s
ring
was
not
a
thumb
ring
but
my
fingers
are
so
thin
so
I
wore
it
in
the
thumb.
Why
should
all
the
Lafangeys
and
Parindeys
watch
this
film?
Neil:
Because
it"s
a
film
made
simply
from
the
heart.
It"s
a
film
for
people
who
strongly
have
a
nice,
strong
heart.
It"s
a
beautiful
story,
with
a
lot
of
depth,
and
a
lot
of
emotion.
Most
importantly,
its
got
a
lot
of
love.
Deepika: I am not going to just say go and watch the film. I think if you found the theatrical and the promos interesting, if you feel that this film will entertain you for a good 2 hours and take your mind off everything else you should go and watch it. I would definitely go and watch it!
Which
is
your
favorite
track?
Neil:
Mann
Lafanga.
I
play
the
piano,
the
keyboard.
I
compose.
I
wish
I
had
composed
this
song
it
is
such
a
beautiful
track.
Deepika: Same! It"s a beautiful number.
How
was
the
experience
to
shoot
the
song
“Nain
Parindey"?
Neil:
That
was
one
difficult
song
to
shoot!
But
let"s
be
very
honest.
This
is
Deepika"s
song.
We
didn"t
have
the
song
when
we
were
shooting
it.
I
wish
we
did.
I
was
asked
to
just
follow
her
path.
And
she
was
following
a
path
that
she
didn"t
know
of.
And
I
think
it
came
out
so
smoothly
because
otherwise
it
would
look
designed.
Deepika,
how
long
did
you
train
for
your
skating
sequences?
Deepika:
I
trained
for
almost
6
months.
At
first,
I
trained
locally,
in
Mumbai,
with
a
local
trainer.
And
then
closer
to
shoot,
Adi
and
dada
flew
down
professional
skaters
from
Italy;
one
of
them
has
been
world
number
1
for
many
years
and
is
now
the
coach
for
the
current
number
1
figure
skater.
Dada
and
Adi
wanted
to
make
sure
that
whatever
I
do
looks
exactly
like
we
see
on
television
and
looks
professional.
Neil: I think it was the only choice and the best choice we had!
Deepika: I think hopefully this film will set a trend. I come from a sports family and am very passionate for all types of sports. So if this picks up, it will be cool to see youngsters skating around!
Neil: I love skating myself, and know how to skate and blade as well!
Deepika: Show-off!
Pradeep
Sarkar"s
son,
Ronit
Sarkar,
has
sung
the
title
song.
What
do
you
have
to
say
about
that?
Neil:
Ronit
is
like
a
kid
brother
to
me.
He
is
as
old
as
my
younger
brother.
He"s
got
this
great
vocal
quality.
His
voice
is
so
raw,
there
is
so
much
energy
and
so
much
honesty;
I
think
he
has
done
full
justice
to
it.
I
feel
this
song
was
just
meant
for
him,
he
was
just
meant
to
sing
it!
Deepika: And also the inspiration for the kind of music dada wanted for the film came from Ronit! Dada wanted some young, rock space songs and the inspiration came from his son.
Neil: He himself composes, he"s a true rockstar! I hope he gets all the awards this year!
What
about
Dhatad-Thatad?
I
think
for
us,
Dhatad-Thatad
was
such
a
confusing
shoot!
Because
when
we
were
shooting
it,
we
didn"t
understand
what
was
going
on,
Dada
used
to
make
us
shoot
so
much
extra
stuff
in
a
single
day.
But
when
you
see
it
now,
you
realize
that
Dada"s
mind
was
working
so
fast,
that
now
when
you
see
it
in
a
flow
you
realize
what
you
were
shooting!
When
you
see
the
line
up,
its
so
smooth.
There
us
so
much
of
a
story
telling
in
the
song!
Also, many parts of the song were not shot to the song. Many parts of it were shot like scenes. Like if we were scheduled to attempt 2 scenes a day, we would finish those 2 scenes and then just shoot random stuff. Dada would tell us that they are just montages and we didn"t quite understand what we were shooting. But now it all makes sense! Now we realize that they were all for the song.
The
film
is
about
waadis.
Have
you
been
to
the
waadis?
Neil:
Yes,
quite
a
few
in
Mumbai.
Dada
and
the
entire
art
direction
team,
are
responsible
for
creating
this
world.
The
world
they
created
is
identical
to
the
world
out
there.
When
you
watch
the
film,
you
will
wonder
where
this
area
in
Mumbai
is
–
but
it"s
just
a
set!
It
just
so
real!
You
feel
like
I
live
here!
Deepika: Also we had taken over the studio for like 2 months. So the moment we entered the gates, we were in that world. Even our vans were parked in that area. Sp when you got ready and stepped out, you didn"t feel like you stepped onto a set, you felt you were on the street, in that area.
Neil: In fact, when you went into your van you felt you had climbed onto a BST bus!
But
you"ve
been
to
a
real
waadi?
How
was
that
experience?
Both:
Exactly
the
same.
No
difference.
He
sets
were
so
great!
There
was
entire
mutton
market
that
was
created!
Unbelievable.
How
was
it
working
with
YRF?
Neil:
I
have
always
maintained
this.
YRF
is
like
home
to
me.
I
have
learnt
a
lot
from
them
since
childhood.
I
was
an
assistant
director
here
at
YRF.
I
got
my
first
big
hit
New
York,
Kabir
Khan
and
his
team.
I
have
worked
with
the
best
team
in
New
York.
They
groomed
me,
moulded
me
and
embedded
a
certain
culture
in
me.
Deepika: For me, while I was growing up, the one or two Yashraj Films that were released were the films that my family and me used to look forward to. I have grown up watching Yashji"s films, Adi"s films. And now to be part of the YRF family starting with Bachna Ae Haseeno. It was really a dream come true. I remember the day Bachna released Adi came up to me and said “I owe you one". He said that because he really liked my work in that film. And for a long time I never heard from him. And I was a little disheartened. And then like I said he called me and Lafangey happened.
It"s just been a fun experience!