Informs Nishikant, `Apart from John there is one other pivotal character, a male associate to John's character. And they share very close bonding.But no leading lady, not even for the songs. I will have three songs in the film. But they'd all be in background.`
Not that Nishikant is uncomfortable with songs. `I didn't have lip-sync songs in any of my earlier films until recently in my Marathi film Laal Bhaari which Riteish Deshmukh has produced . He also plays the lead. Though it's not a comedy it's a much lighter film than my earlier films Mumbai Meri Jaan, Force or my first film Dombivali Fast which was in Marathi.`
Kamat feels the glamour, songs and cast including the female lead must not be dictated by the boxoffice. `I do understand numbers. I know box office figures are important. And Rocky Handsome is my most expensive film to date. But I can't be looking anxiously over my shoulder every trime I write a sceipt.`
John is a part of the growing breed of heroine-less heroes in in Bollywood. The trend started way back in 1973 when Dharmendra appeared solo in Nasir Hussain's Yaadon Ki Baaraat. Recently in Vijay Krishna Acharya's Dhoom 3 Abhishek Bachchan had no leading lady.
Nishikant feels leading ladies to be redundant in an action film, unless they are catalysts to the action.
Explains Nishikant, `Not that Rocky Handsome would lack an emotional content in a leading lady's absence. There would be a very strong emotional conflict between John's character and the other male protagonist.`
John, says Nishikant, is quite happy being heroine-less in Rocky Handsome.
Says the director, `John has matured beyond recognition in recent times. He is ready to stick his neck out as a producer and an actor.Last year Madras Cafe proved it.I really liked John in Madras Cafe.`
