It’s celebration time for the cast and crew of Pati Patni Aur Woh. The film has already collected more than Rs 55 crore at the box office. The film’s leading pair, Bhumi Pednekar and Kartik Aaryan, can’t stop smiling. For them, the party has just begun. Congratulate them and Kartik says, “The film has collected Rs 75 crore worldwide and is doing pretty well.”
The actors recently visited Sakal Times office to celebrate the success of their film. The audience has loved every character in the film. Corroborating the fact, Bhumi says, “That was the idea. With all our characters, Aparshakti included, there is someone with whom you will connect,” she says.
Family audience
The success of the film yet again proves that relatable characters and stories connect with the audience. “We have only done films that people can connect with. If I think of Kartik’s earlier films, for example, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety or Luka Chuppi and others, he can be seen playing a cool city guy, but the audience could connect with him. When it comes to Pati Patni..., every middle-class guy will definitely connect with Chintu Tyagi (Kartik’s character).
Kartik cannot agree more. “The relatability factor was very important for this film. Not just Chintu, even Vedika Tripathi (played by Bhumi) and Tapasya (played by Ananya Panday) is like any other girl we meet today and it doesn’t matter if she is married or not. Our film is a modern take on things and that’s why people are liking it,” he says.
Bhumi says that the three characters represent new-age India beautifully. “Even though it’s a remake we have broken all stereotypes. Earlier, we used to portray wives in a typical manner. She had no career goals or used to be vamp-y but we have broken all those ideas. Today, every modern girl is ambitious, has desires and are mentally evolved,” says the pretty actress.
The duo is happy that the family audience has accepted their film. “Even if it talks about infidelity, you can watch the film with the entire family, which is a big achievement,” says Bhumi.
To which Kartik adds, “That’s a huge achievement because there are four ticket buyers and not one. In fact, we had a lot of discussion among the team about Chintu turning negative during the infidelity angle. This was challenging for me because I had to keep things positive so that the audience can root for him till the end. After the interval, there was this phase when I thought he has started to feel negative but we maintained his endearing traits.”
Creating a niche
Both Bhumi and Kartik are known for doing different genres of films. While Bhumi has created a niche starring in small-town, content-driven stories that give out a message, Kartik is popular among the youth with his chocolate-boy image. Does their onscreen persona play in their mind while reading a script?
“My journey has been very different. From the very beginning, I have done unconventional films. It’s not something I actively think about but I do know that my audience expects me to do something different and challenge myself with every project. That is something I will continue doing. I realise that I have created my own space, and I will go above and beyond what I have done,” she says adding, “When people tell, ‘This is Bhumi-kind of cinema’, it’s very exciting.”
Kartik says that 2019 has been a huge change for him. “I have entered the family audience section with Luka Chuppi and created a bond with that section of movie-goers. Till Sonu Ki... I connected with the younger audience. Pati Patni... has catered to both families and the young audience. Personally, it’s been an enriching experience,” says the actor.
There is no denying that 2019 has been special for both actors. Bhumi has had three hits this year, including Saand Ki Aankh and Bala. The films not only made moolah at the box office but were also appreciated by critics.
Kartik’s Luka Chuppi made more than Rs 120 crore. Do they have to start worrying about living up to the expectations of the audience and the makers when signing their next project? Looking at Bhumi, Kartik says, ‘Yeh toh next year bhi itni saari films lah rahi hai’, which has Bhumi breaking into laughter. “Look at who is talking. He has so many films himself,” she adds.
Master of sequels
Kartik can be called the ‘master of sequels’ considering he has signed three highly anticipated ones — Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Dostana 2 and Imtiaz Ali’s next, which is being reported as the sequel of Love Aaj Kal.
“I hadn’t thought about doing so many sequels. It’s just a coincidence. I believe working in sequels is a huge responsibility. More than me, the responsibility is on the producer and director. They have to find an actor who they can trust to carry forward the story. These films have given me a validation as an actor for the makers to have faith in me. Be it Dostana 2 or Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, they are quite popular franchises and good content films,” he says.
Kartik further adds that Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 is his most commercial and massy film ever. “In terms of ‘massy-ness’, this film is one notch higher than all the others I have done. Dostana 2 will push the envelope as an actor and also in terms of content we have seen before. As far as Imtiaz sir’s film is concerned, I am really excited about it as an actor. The whole process has been enriching and I am waiting for that film to release because that’s my next. I am confident that my choices are right,” says the Pyaar Ka Punchnama actor.
Then again, it’s hard not to talk about Bhumi-starrer Durgavati. The film’s announcement was made on social media a few weeks back. The way the film was announced calling Bhumi, ‘Hero’ made a huge statement. Backed by Akshay Kumar, Bhushan Kumar and Vikram Malhotra, it’s a huge responsibility on her shoulder. “I do agree that me holding the hero placard said a lot. I loved the way, they did it because a hero is someone we look up to and that’s the point we were trying to make through the announcement,” she says.
She adds that it’s definitely a responsibility for her because it’s her first solo female-led film. “It’s a superb script and I am really excited to do it because it’s a genre I haven’t attempted before. I am nervous because as you said it comes with great responsibility. There is nobody to share the burden with,” she says, adding, “I am very fortunate that there are some fantastic names associated with the film. Akshay sir is someone I look up to, he is a dear friend and a well-wisher too. We were just waiting for the right collaboration and Durgavati was the right script. Pati Patni...is my first proper film with Bhushan sir and the experience has been great.”
Blurring lines
The image of heroes in Hindi films is undergoing a transformation. Conventional heroes are taking a break, showing a willingness to experiment.
“Even heroes want to be play negative characters,” says Kartik, to which Bhumi adds, “It’s okay to be flawed. Earlier, we had set very unrealistic standards; we used to only show a perfect man or woman. That’s where the whole idea of relatibility comes in. Why are we saying ‘content is king’? Because there is a certain amount of realism in the stories the audience wants to watch today.”
The definition of commercial films is also changing. “Today, any film which makes money is commercial. All the lines are getting blurred and there is no difference between art and non-arty stuff. You can have a small film, which can become a huge phenomenon,” says Bhumi before signing off.
