Q. What is Bhangra Beats all about?
A. As the title suggests, it is a musical film. I play the character of an Indian who was born in England. He takes himself to be more like a British than an Indian but when it comes to music he only listens to Hindi and Punjabi songs.
In one way my character is more like Richie Rich and Jazzy B. Inspite of being a pop star he gives importance to Hindi songs. All he wants to become is a big pop star.
But the problem arises when he gets sued for stealing the Punjabi songs from small pop singers in Punjab and selling those in the international market in his own name. In one way this film is based on music piracy.
Q. Personally how much do you like music?
A. To be true no. I don't even sing in my bathroom.
Q. Then where do you see yourself in this musical film...
A. See I am an artist and my duty is to do any role with full dedication. Co-incidentally I became a performer in my first film Show Biz also for which I personally got trained myself as a drummer for the film.
But it was sad for me because I was given a guitar instead of a drum on the first day of my shoot for Showbizz. I am happy because it atleast benefited me in my second film.
Q. After so much of preparations why Showbizz didn't do well at the box office?
A. To be honest I would say that the film wasn't a flop. It's just that it went over-budget. I was involved into film production, so I know that one should only spend the amount, he has in his pocket and not more than that. Mukesh Bahtt is aware of this. The effect of the film getting over budget fell on its marketing and publicity.
Q. So you do believe that marketing is very necessary to make a hit film?
A. Yes, it is very important in Bollywood. Now take Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, they require no publicity yet their films like Om Shanti Om and Tare Zameen Parr did have huge publicity campaign.
I was shocked to see Aamir Khan doing publicity for Tare Zameen Parr and Jane Tu..., because he is the same person who used to run away and get irritated with the idea of doing publicity.
Q. The music in Bhangra Beats is been connected to HIV+. Do you think audiences will accept it?
A. We have made the film expecting that audiences will like the film. As of now we have to see that what feed back we get from the audiences. HIV+ is the main part in the film and I think that to talk about this will be too early now. I wish that people first watch the film and then decide how it is.
Q. Like Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt you also want to make good films. Have you inherited this from them?
A. Yes, this is the reason why I signed Bhangra Beats. I have started my career with the Bhatt camp itself. I have learned a lot from them. It's not only acting but I have also learned film production from them. I think I took birth with Vishesh films.
Q. Will you go for production in future?
A. I am fully in the track of acting now ever since Mahesh Bhatt ji brought me to it. I would definitely like to try my hands in production but not now. Now it is very important for me to establish myself as a good actor.
Q. Which is your favourite journo?
A. I love thriller. I love watching thriller movies and I feel that my personality is fit for thriller movies.
Q. Any film with Bhatt camp?
A. Not now, as at present Raaz 2 is going on. If they have some story or concept then they will definitely consider me. After all I am from their home. Whenever they call me I will go to them as I give first preference to Bhatt champ.
Q. Any films apart from Bhangra Beats?
A. Not at the moment. Yeah, talks are on for two films but I will inform you when everything gets finalized. - Rajnee Gupta