'In this industry, never say never'

Nagesh Kukunoor's new film, 8x10 Tasveer, is about a man who can see into the future. We show Kukunoor a few 8x10s of our own, to see what he sees

He is an hour and a half late for the interview. When he arrives he profusely apologises and happily poses for the shoot before the daylight goes down. He jokes about his hair and says, "I badly need a haircut. And I have got grays too." When he sees the 8x10 photo prints, he laughs and says, "No way. This is some kind of a psychological test you are making me go through." And yet sportingly, he agrees to go through it. So in between bites of a cheese sandwich, he takes a shot at the photosu2026 and psychoanalyses his own thoughts...

First thought
Oh, the US highway.

Why?
Because driving down the US highway is a very Zen state for me. Every time I go there, I go on very long drives. Instead of flying from one place to another, I just hit the road. For me, it's a very relaxing state. I get a lot of clarity. A lot of my thinking and scripts are done there. I lay out some of my favourite music. Sometimes, I even get non-fiction history books on tape. It's a very calming process.

Does the picture remind you of how far you have come in terms of doing low-budget films to now 8x10 Tasveer, a big budgeted film?
Yes, it's been a big journey. And I have enjoyed every single film I have made. Because we don't have a specific kind of cinema here, there's so much made about it. People tell me, 'Hey, you are the guy who did the small budgeted films and it's nice to see you make big budget films'. See, a lot of directors started out with small budget films because one has to start somewhere. It's not about the budget. If I have a script like 8X10, it will require A-list star. It's all economics.

First thought
(Laughs) I am telling you this is a psychological test. The word would be 'anger'. Though the first thought that popped into my head was, he looks like Saurabh Ardeshir... I worked with him in Rockford.

Do you lose your cool?
Not often. I have had specific points when I lost it completely. Most recent was on the sets of Yeh Honsla, but otherwise I am very calm about getting stuff resolved. I don't raise my voice.

What was your state of mind when Akshay Kumar couldn't save dates for 8X10 Tasveer?
(Laughs) This seems like a psychological project. See, my way to dealing with such situations is to pour all my energy into creativity. So in the time that we took to get his dates worked out, I shot another film Yeh Honsla. And I wrote another script.

Have you zeroed in on who the actors are going to be?
(Smiles) No, not yet. Sometimes you write a script keeping in mind the actor, sometimes you don't. In the past, I have written scripts keeping an actor in mind and I have been lucky.

First thought
Chess.

Come on, tell me more...
Oh, all right... it's a difference of opinion.

There was a court tussle over Aashayein with Reliance Big Entertainment and the co-producers? Where did you fit in?
I have been very good at finishing the film and severing my ties. I learnt to do that after Teen Deewarein. I decided I would finish the film and move on. That's the only way to keep my sanity. With Aashayein we had all geared up for a September release. That got pushed because both John and I were not in the country. Then we said we would release it post-Dostana. Then this thing with Reliance happened. At times, it's been frustrating. But it's part of the game I guess.

But Reliance said Aashayein's storyline changed?
That's the stupidest thing anyone can say. With me, the story never changes. I don't know how to make films on the fly or later.

You may probably have to work with Reliance in future.
Yes, you are right. In this industry, never say never.

First thought
I don't see the wires... it's a pretty cool picture. (Pauses) It's peacefulu00a0 (describing the picture).

Does it remind you of your close-knit circle of friends?
My circle of friends is that much (gestures with his hand to show little)... I take a long time to make friends and I am very happy with the friends I have. When the chips are down, only two or three people stand by you. Rest scoot. Knowing that, I don't need to have a directory of friends. I have never bothered to.

And about finding peace...?
That comes from moving onto another film. I don't wait. When the film has to be released, it will release. Also, peace comes more from my accomplishment and my trips... that always calms me down.

'I don't need to have a directory of friends. I have never bothered to'

First thought
Hey, nice hands. That's kinda sexy.

What does it remind you of?
I like the saree as a garment. It's incredibly sexy. Nice hands. I look at women's hands. It's almost a reflex thing.u00a0

Tell us something we don't know.
Why? (Laughs) okay, recently I found my modelling pictures and I am never going to show it to anyone.

This is not a new thing. You told me this a year ago.
Really? I am consistent. Really? (Laughs out loud)

Do you miss acting?
I do actually but not so much to warrant any kind of an action. But in some of my future projects, I am looking at acting in it myself.

'I like the saree as a garment. It's incredibly sexy. Nice hands. I look at women's hands. It's almost a reflex thing'

First thought
Horror... (laughs)... Well, the obvious choice would be romance.

So you are not the romantic type?
It's not necessary to play by a certain set of rules to find your comfort space. So at a certain stage you find looove (exaggerates the word) and then get married. I am a believer in love and we are talking in the romantic sense. I have been in love before, it's not like I haven't.

But you are not in love now?
With films, yes.

No, with a girl
No... (laughs).

You don't feel a need for a partner?
That's one thing I have never felt. Each person operates differently. I am happy that after a hard day's work, I go back to a quiet house. I actually love the peace that it gives me, to sit on my couch and unwind.

So then there is no marriage?
Not in the near futureu2026 but who knows (smiles).

First thought
Is she Parsi?

No, she's a model.
Ya, either Parsi... or she could be Russian. It's uninspiring. It's trying too hard to make a statement men are pawns behind women. Clichu00e9d.

Perhaps it also means that the woman is in the lead.
When someone makes such a posture of 'I am in the lead' it's unappealing. I think a woman's greatest strength is her vulnerability.

It doesn't remind you of someone?
Yaa, she looks like Perizaad (Zorabian), doesn't she?

You are not reminded Elahe Hiptoola?
Nou2026

What about the rumours...
...of us being married? For 10 years there have been rumours...

So you are very good friends?
She is my closest friend. It's not a myth. Men and women can be friends. You don't have to take your relationship to another level. Thing that cracks me up is for us to deny it for 10 years.

First thought
Shooting star... although I think that's a cometu2026

Not falling star?
Is it?

Could be. It could signify the failure of Bombay to Bangkok. Were you disappointed?
Disappointment happens at many levels. My milk didn't get delivered today. Sh't, this cup of coffee is really bad. And it can be like, 'oh, my god, my girlfriend left me'. When a film doesn't work, it absolutely hurts, but it's a part of the process. If you are nau00efve or foolish enough to think that every film works, then you really need to get your head examined. One has to move on.

Are you scared that people may be wondering what you have to offer after the disappointing Bombay to Bangkok?
I am an extremely secure guy. I know a reasonable number of truths about life and the industry. One, what goes up must come down. Granted that however much you know, when it actually happens, it bothers you. But if one event like that can destroy you, than you really need to find another profession. I have been unbelievably lucky. I almost got killed, and then went on to make Rockford.

First thought
Oh ho, this was the Mid-Day shoot... before the release of one of my films. Sh't, damn embarrassing. (Laughs) It was before Bombay to Bangkok.

No, it was before that.
It takes me back. I think it was Dor. I was fast asleep and Elahe must have clicked that picture. What they did was cover the whole day in pictures. I hung around my house, read a bit, cooked and that was what I did most of the day (pointing to the picture).

Anything more you would want to add?
I just hope we get a large dose of luck for 8X10u2026

So that you can sleep like this....
(Laughs) Yes.

'I was fast asleep and Elahe must have clicked that picture. What they did was cover the whole day in pictures'