After working with Ranbir Kapoor in two films, director Siddharth Anand feels the young actor has the potential to follow
in the footsteps of megastar Amitabh Bachchan as the "complete Hindi film hero".
"The day Ranbir does an action film and does it well, he has the potential to fill the void that Bachchan created, " said
Anand who teamed up with Ranbir for the second time for his new romantic comedy "Anjaana Anjaani" releasing Sep
24.
The two had earlier worked together in "Bachna Ae Haseeno" (2008). Ranbir, 27, is the son of well-known Bollywood
actors Rishi and Neetu Kapoor.
"Ranbir is the perfect guy to play Anthony (a character played by Big B in 'Amar Akbar Anthony'), he can play coolie, he
can play the characters Bachchan played in his prime. There is no one else but him, " Anand told.
"He has got everything it takes to be the complete Hindi film hero that Bachchan was."
Anand, who debuted with "Salaam Namaste" (2005), says he has tried to push the boundaries with his first film and
completely smashed it with "Anjaana Anjaani".
"I have torn the boundaries here. When you see the film, it's something unlike you have seen at any point of time. It's a
love story but its situations are very unique, " said the young director.
"I made Ranbir do strange things. During the shooting of the song "Khuda jaane" in 'Bachna Ae Haseeno' I made him
stand on the tip of a cliff and spread his arms and he was shit scared as he has a vertigo problem.
"In 'Anjaana Anjaani' there is a sequence where they are stranded in the middle of an ocean. It was the Pacific Ocean
and he had to dive into the freezing waters. He did it even though he has aquaphobia, " said the director.
Talking about the film that co-stars Priyanka Chopra, he said: " 'Anjaana Anjaani' is the story of two strangers who meet
in strange circumstances and then part as strangers. So it's a very unique concept for a Hindi film, but it's deep-rooted
as a Hindi commercial film. It has songs, stories, beautiful locations and fabulous performances."
Siddharth says more than the actresses, he bonds well with actors.
"I am a hero's director. I bond with my heroes more than I bond with my heroines. Once we become friends, I like to
work with them repeatedly if they are okay with it. I have been fortunate enough to work with two superstars, " said
Anand.
And what made him pair Ranbir with Priyanka?
"I wanted to have a virgin pair. I wanted a brilliant actress because the film is only about the chemistry between two
people. It's about their sparks, what they speak, and the banters to and fro.
"Ranbir is a brilliant actor; so I needed someone who would be able to match that. Priyanka just fitted in unbelievably, "
said Anand.
The director insists that he is very particular about the songs in his films.
"I'm surprised people liked the song 'Hairat'. I was very clear that I wanted music for a love story that you cannot
imagine. It doesn't belong to a love story. I didn't want mainstream music, " said Anand.
Asked if he was planning to explore only unique love stories, he said: "Not really. I am a storyteller. If I am in a mood to
make you laugh, I will tell you a joke. If I want to scare you, I will tell you a horror story. So it depends on what comes
to me at that point of time."
Friday, September 03, 2010 16:11 IST