"We never claimed Kurbaan to be a Disney affair" - Saif Ali Khan

By Joginder Tuteja Bollywood Hungama News Network

Yesterday, in Part 1 of the interview, he spoke about how promoting a movie has taken a different form and shape in current times, his annoyance with the way some sections of media have splashed stories about Kurbaan and Kareena and himself in a not-so-flattering manner. In the second and concluding part of this exclusive interview with Joginder Tuteja, Saif talks about the 'A' certificate that the film has been granted, changing business scenario at the box office and how Kurbaan goes beyond his off-screen pairing with Kareena.

Even if one leaves the poster aside, one can't deny the fact that a major promotional peg for Kurbaan is Saif-Kareena pairing...
Yes, our coming together has been much spoken about and it was nice to be eventually doing Kurbaan together. I was often scared that people should not be bored by the pair because we are together in real life. This is why it is so important to be playing the character well so that you are seen doing something which brings in a lot more on the table than just being a regular pair. Thankfully, the characterization of both Ehsaan and Avantika are pretty well etched out so that wasn't difficult.

With someone like Rensil on board, one does hope that he has moved beyond off-screen pairing...
Karan is very lucky to have entrusted Rensil for the job. He is a first time director and I am highly impressed since he is a deeply intelligent man and an observant person. Also, he is a very gifted storyteller.

Kurbaan has got an 'A' certificate for itself. Doesn't it bother you that audience footfall would be impacted due to this?
Let me explain it this way. You can try and make a Disney film which promises a wide audience for a 2 year old and her 60 year old grandfather; now that's an ideal producer scenario. But then, that's not the only kind of film which you want to make. You also want to make a gripping, scary, gritty film because entertainment can come in different ways. Some films are so violent, suspenseful, thrilling or sensual that censorship is required. This is why; I don't mind it at all when Kurbaan gets an 'A' certificate. In any case, there is still good enough population above 18 years that can come together to watch a film and turn it into a super hit.

Saif Ali Khan Well, Wanted with an 'A' certificate and that too with a substantial single screen audiences, did turn into a super hit this year...
And so did Race last year. The film's concept was quite adult and it broke the cliche of a man sacrificing his life for his brother. The film was quite intriguing, restricted kids from watching it, and still was widely accepted. We have enough examples where 'A' movies have done quite well commercially.

Talking about commercial gains, after Love Aaj Kal people would be expecting yet another record breaking opening from a film of yours. Doesn't it become a scary thought?
It is a scary thought, but then, also an understandable thought. See, today, the growth in business and economy gets reflected in box office returns. There are new records which are set practically every month or at least every quarter. If Kurbaan sets a record today, I am sure 3 Idiots will set another tomorrow. And then there will be another film which would succeed those high numbers. This is why it is unfair to think of records as they are not meant to be taken seriously.

But being a producer yourself, you would certainly wish to keep a tab on emerging business scenario?
In our box office business which hasn't peaked yet, it is ridiculous to think records. In fact we should phrase this like 'So far, Ghajini has taken the biggest opening ever'. Or, 'In 2009 so far, Love Aaj Kal has opened the best.' Records should be an area of interest / debate / concern, when it is about crossing the peak of human endurance. Say for example, when someone creates a new record in a 100 meters sprint. Now that's an achievement.

And what have you achieved with Kurbaan?
My achievement is that I got to work in a movie which isn't regular or run of the mill. The film follows the caption of 'Some Love Stories Have Blood On Them' to the T. It has got a strange ending, has quite a few grey characters and grey emotions with not much being black & white. In how many films do you see a girl in love with a man while knowing that he is a terrorist?

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