People will love Abhishek in Drona: Goldie Behl

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Filmmaker Goldie Behl chats with HT City on Drona…

Why didn’t you make a film all this while?
There were several reasons —hunt for a script and a unique idea that could break through the clutter. I needed to make an impression on my audience because I couldn’t do that with my debut film.

I wanted to do a film with an idea that could make the audience lap it up and something that would help me make a mark. While making Bus Itna… we were very young. Although we enjoyed the process there were lessons learnt for both Abhishek and me. It served the purpose that way because it helps us grow up.

Drona is a paradigm shift from Bus Itna Sa Khwaab Hai, isn’t it?
Well actually it is a paradigm shift in terms of the genre but it is still a coming of age movie. Yes, it’s not a social drama. It’s an action drama, a fantasy film. And it deals with the coming of age of the character that Abhishek plays. But yes it is a drama at the end of the day.

Comparisons with the Hrithik Roshan starrer Krrish are inevitable…
This movie is an adventure film totally different from Krrish. Once you see the promos you will understand the difference between those kinds of movies and action adventure. It’s a completely different film. There isn’t any comparison. My film has got a different feel altogether.

Do you think at this age of characters close to reality, fantasy films have an audience?
There is a huge audience I certainly hope so and I believe there is.

For Abhishek too it is a kind of a revelation, isn’t it?
I am sure that people are going to love him in this movie. An actor is an actor and I have great comfort level with Abhishek because we know each other from the time we were born. And that way it’s easier. He understands what I am demanding of him as a performer and I can tap him his hidden areas. It is an action role for him with a highly dramatic performance.

Doing a film of this stature is tough, isn’t it?
Yes it is. But I luckily found people who had faith in me. My producers Eros had faith in me as a filmmaker. They thought I knew the craft. Eros was ready to back me with this kind of an idea.

You even bring together Abhishek and Jaya Bachchan together after Raja Sen’s Desh?
We are a family. And being a family friend, she obliged me by agreeing to play a part in the film. Yes, Jayaji and Abhishek do share screen space. But Jayaji plays a small part.

How was Priyanka?
She is terrific…

So, you are targeting the children…
Children of course. I am looking at everybody coming in. You have to be children by heart to watch the film. There is no age bar — you have to suspend the normal world and enter the world of Drona.

Your next is a film for AB Corp…
There is nothing official about it. I would love to do it. I told them they are my family and anything they ask me to do will do it…