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Get on to the Golmaal ride

THE MAD CAPPER comedy Golmaal Again is all set to hit the big screen tomorrow. The crazy team of Ajay Devgan, Tusshar Kapoor, Kunal Khemu and Arshad Warsi will be joined by the new members Parineeti Chopra and Tabu. The entire cast spoke to City Times and give us a glimpse of what it means to be part of the Golmaal family.
 
Parineeti Chopra

On being part of Golmaal Again: It's an honour and a pleasure because I have been a fan of the Golmaal series for such a long time. It's a film that people watch repeatedly on TV and it makes them so happy.
On being the target of pranks on the sets: I think that just by virtue of being the new one in the group, everybody else has become so used to the pranks that they are always alert. I didn't know that the jokes are coming to me and the boys took advantage of that fact.
On the failure of Meri Pyaari Bindu: I think whenever you do a film be it big or small, there is an always a 50% chance of it doing well and 50% not well. You are somewhere mentally prepared for that. But Meri Pyaari Bindu is one of my favourite films. Yes, it didn't do the numbers that we were expecting it to do but I am hearing it from a lot of people who have been watching the film on the TV or those who saw it in the theatre. I just wish the timing of the film was better.

Tabu: Yes, I am unambitious about stardom
You surprised us when you signed Golmaal Again. What inspired you to sign this film?
Rohit has cast me perfectly for the role. He has written a great part for me to go with the brand of Golmaal and has still retained my (whatever) image in the film. Hence, I wanted to be part of it and have a great time and not take anything seriously. Also, when you are part of such a big franchise, then you know that the onus is never going to be on you (laughs). I think it is a very smart decision.  

What does Tabu do when she is not working?
When I am not doing anything, it brings out the best in me. I am generally calm and composed in life because I take a lot of time off to relax. It's not that I am engaged in doing an earth-shatteringly wonderful thing during that time. For me, it's enough that I don't work for some time in between my films. The break is very important for me. It doesn't matter what I do during my break. I could just sleep or read or play with my dog all day or look at the sunset or travel or speak to my friends. I don't plan my time or activities like that. It doesn't work for me.

Have you always been unambitious about stardom or being number one?
Some people have understood this about me from the day one, some have been intrigued by it, some are angry about it, some are curious about it and some are happy about it.  Am I ambitious about social media? No. There are many opinions about me being unambitious.
I come across as being unambitious about my career. Yes. Unambitious about working with specific people. Yes. Unambitious about getting fame. Yes.
But now I have understood that I am ambitious about other things. I am ambitious about life, friends, family, and self-connection.

Will you ever direct a film?
As a concept, it sounds great to imagine myself as a fantastic director and making mind-blowing movies. It is great to have such aspiration and imaginations. But I am not sure if it is practically possible. I don't' know if I can take so much of pressure without going crazy or slapping 10 people on the movie set. I no more have that kind of patience with people.

Do you write?
I do write. I enjoy writing and I feel the need to write. It's a big part of my self-expression apart from acting. I write prose.

You are close friends with supremely talented Vishal Bharadwaj and Gulzar. What do they think of your writing?
Not Vishal but Gulzar has been my writing mentor. He has always encouraged me to write. Thanks to him, I have gained confidence in my ability to write. My quality of writing has improved thanks to him. I feel proud whenever Gulzar appreciates my writing.

Tusshar Kapoor
Golmaal has been a turning point in my career and the team involved is like family now. Working on Golmaal is like going on vacation with your family.  It's a new story and not a continuation of the earlier part. The characters are the same but the premise, storyline, and the settings are different.

Method to Rohit 's madness
Rohit is very methodical. He only makes movies that are mad but his conviction is unparallel. He is a workaholic and works on every edit, performance and promotion. He is the ultimate captain of the ship. Only he can decode his method because he is always reworking the scene. If you see his films, despite all the craziness, mess and the laughter, there is always a strong storyline in the movie. There is an emotional undercurrent as well. His movies are like the potpourri that goes into the making of a Hindi masala film. His speciality is the Indianness and the conviction with which he makes his movies. The Golmaal set is big than any other movie that you work for. There are around 4000 people working on the set.

On being a single father
I am definitely enjoying my life as a father. Life is hectic now with the promotions of course. I manage my personal life very well. This is an ideal time to prove as to how I can manage my time well. I am enjoying best of both worlds - my family life with my son and work life with my favorite film Golmaal. I bought him all the time to the location but not to the set. If I were shooting in the Yashraj studios, then I would come out and meet him in the cafeteria area and then go back to the shoot. Whenever I would go outdoors, he would be in the hotel with the nanny roaming around in the swimming pool. I am actually super excited to show Golmaal to my son because, at this point, he is talking like I do in the film, so I am sure he will enjoy the film.
 

Kunal Khemu
 
We all are really thankful to the audiences who love the film so much. Golmaal series is loved by people when it releases in the theatre and it also has a very long run on the television. That's' why all the character of this film has become synonymous with everyone in the country.
 
Ajay Devgan

The characters are similar but there is a new story and new set up. It actually starts with their childhood. It doesn't start with where we left the film. It is amazing to get back with the cast after seven years. It is fun to collaborate with such a big team. Also, it is nice to have Parineeti and Tabu join our team.

Shreyas Talpade

It's a huge honour being a part of the film, which is the first time in India, that a fourth film is coming out of a franchise. It is so much fun to be on the sets of Golmaal. Who wouldn't like to have a paid vacation? It is one of the best experiences that an actor can have. Getting back with all the boys after seven years was great fun.
arti@khaleejtimes.com