EXCLUSIVE: Tanishaa Mukerji calls Luv You Shankar a ‘superhero film’: “It has an Indian superhero – Lord Shankar”; also believes that Neil N Nikki should re-release: “I was completely unaware of the impact that it had on people”

The ravishing and quick-witted Tanishaa Mukerji spoke exclusively with Bollywood Hungama about her upcoming release, Luv You Shankar. She also opened up on why we don’t make a lot of kid-friendly films and goes down memory lane as well.

How was your experience of playing a de-glam, rustic character in Luv You Shankar? It was actually amazing because firstly, it was very easy. You had to get ready quickly (due to) no make-up (laughs)! You just have to cover your under-eye and you are ready. Honestly, I don’t look at roles as glamorous or de-glamorous. I was excited to play a mother on screen to a fairly grown-up kid. I guess the de-glamorous bit is appealing to people as they see something that they have not seen before. I don’t plan to shock people. But I like that my choices are such that people get surprised by everything that I do. Because that’s what this world is about – shock, awe and reinventing yourself again and again. And I think with every character, I want to do more of it.

How was it to share screen space with child actor Mann Gandhi? Were you able to form a bond with him? Yes, because I loved the relationship that the director had created between the mother and the child. It was like a friendship. Also, I like kids and I get along with them. I also believe that when you have to interact with a child, you have to become a child (smiles). And who better to become the child than the mother? Hence, it turned out to be a beautiful experience.

I believe Shreyas Talpade and you did a film together, Chemistry, directed by Sai Kabir or Revolver Rani (2014) fame… True. It was never released. I have no idea what happened. We were shooting one day and then the next day, we weren’t! It was not even completed.

But it must have been easier since you knew Shreyas Talpade already… Yes, definitely. Thanks to that film, we have known each other for almost 10-15 years now. I think we shot for it just a few years after Neal N Nikki (2005). In that film, I had a glamorous avatar. Hence, he was very surprised to see me in a saree-clad character! Moreover, good actors always make you feel very comfortable and that’s what he did.

Hollywood makes a lot of films aimed at kids. In India, very few such attempts are made. Ajay Devgn did it twice – with Raju Chacha (2000) and Toonpur Ka Superhero (2010). Why do you think we don’t make more of such films? That’s one of the reasons we agreed to do this film. The director, Rajiv S Ruia, had made successful hit films. He, obviously, knows what kids will like. I loved his earlier film, My Friend Ganesha (2007). Hence, when he offered me Luv You Shankar, I got very excited. Hollywood has that understanding – they know what kids want to see and that’s how their kid films do so well. Not everybody in our country has that knowledge. Hence, since the director has got it right in the past, I am hoping that he knows what he’s doing with this film as well. The reason people don’t make a lot of kid films (in India) is because they don’t know how to make a successful one. Rajiv ji, meanwhile, is capable of making another hit film in this space.

Also, there’s a craze for superheroes like Iron Man, Superman etc. But we have had superheroes even before them, like Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesh. Hence, in a way, Luv You Shankar is a superhero film!

Making kid-friendly films can also prove to be an advantage because most kids won’t go alone to cinemas. The parents will have to tag along with them, leading to more ticket sales… We want the audience to watch Luv You Shankar with their family as the film is meant for a family experience. Hence, we are also releasing it in multiple languages. It gives a chance to people to bond with their families again. Many argue that OTT has killed cinema. That’s not possible. OTT is mainly meant for an individual experience. Hence, it has so much content as it’s about catering to your individual needs. On the other hand, when we make a film, it has everything that one looks for – it has action, drama, comedy etc. as the idea is to appeal to the whole family. Unfortunately, we have forgotten this culture of the film industry to make a film catering to everyone. We have gone too western with our subjects. Luv You Shankar has a very Indian story. It even shows India like you have never seen before. Hence, I am praying that people come in because firstly, we have taken an Indian superhero – Lord Shankar, and secondly, we have made a film that represents India.

On the day of release, do you check for feedback on social media? (Smiles) Honestly, I don’t. Once the film releases, we cannot control what happens. Hence, there’s no point in reading (what people have to say). However, I love to see how people react in cinemas. But that won’t be possible this time as I will be travelling when the film releases.

Your debut film Sssshhh... (2003) completed 20 years last year. Did you celebrate your 20th anniversary as an actor? No, because I don’t acknowledge time and I don’t believe in celebrating time. Hence, I keep moving forward and doing amazing things. I actually don’t believe in the Roman Calendar! Who decided that 1 year has to be 365 days or that 1 hour should comprise 60 minutes? For me, Neal N Nikki feels like yesterday.

Speaking of Neal N Nikki, you once said that it’s your most-watched film to date online. Surprisingly, at that point, it didn’t work in cinemas And you know, now people tell me about (how much they enjoyed it). Shreyas admitted that his friends were excited that he was working with me because they were all crazy about Neal N Nikki. I didn’t know that I got so many people so excited about my character and that they found me so amazing on screen. I was completely unaware of the impact that Neil N Nikki had on people.

Maybe, in today’s times, the film could have done better. At that time, it was too new or radical for moviegoers… The makers should re-release it. I think a lot of guys would enjoy the film as the world has now opened up a lot.

19 years ago, actors rarely did such bold roles on screen. Did you take time to get convinced? No. I loved the idea of the film and the character. I felt she was quite badass. Here’s a girl who was searching for a guy so that she could take him to her ex-boyfriend, make him jealous, get him back and then dump him! Her point was ‘How dare he dump me’! I was like, ‘Wow! This is a really twisted mind’. And I was on to play this twisted mind (laughs).

Another underrated film that you were a part of was Tango Charlie (2005). It was an anti-war film and is a must-watch, especially in today’s times. It also had a catchy song, ‘Bekaraar Kar Ke’… It was a film that Ajay Devgn chose for me. I was offered the film and my character was paired with Bobby Deol’s character. I was unsure but Ajay told me, ‘Keep quiet and do it’! And I was like, ‘Okay, fine’!

Do you have any plans to direct or produce? All my plans are hidden (smiles). It’s not for the media to know so that I can shock and surprise people with my every move. That’s the idea.

What next? I have a Marathi film coming up. It’ll also be a multilingual release.

Also Read: Poster of Rajiv S Ruia’s Luv You Shankar out now; film on reincarnation stars Shreyas Talpade and Tanishaa Mukerji

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