It's an interview
that every one was waiting for. Boney Kapoor, the man who has undergone a lot
since his wife Sridevi passed away, is finally ready to talk. And he does it
FIRST with SpotboyE.com.
We caught up with
the filmmaker at his Lokhandwala residence, Green Acres, on Sunday night.
Excerpts from the
conversation that followed:
Be honest. Did
you sleep well on Thursday- the night before your daughter Janhvi's debut film
Dhadak hit theatres?
(Smiles)
Honestly, I slept well. I was very sure of the start that Dhadak will get,
I knew it will be lapped up. It had been a long time since we had a real good
love story. Dhadak takes us back to the good, old days of nice songs and
innocent romance--- on the lines of Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla in Qayamat Se Qayamat
Tak, Sunny Deol and Amrita Singh in Betaab, Kamal Haasan and Rati Agnihotri in
Ek Duuje Ke Liye.
That kind of
chemistry between two newcomers is always accepted if the content is good-
and what better than Sairat? Plus, Karan Johar (producer) and Shashank Khaitan
(director) adapted it very well for the Asian diaspora, the film released on a
wide scale, the momentum had picked up from the first promo itself for various
reasons- it's a Dharma product, Shashank had given two hits prior to this (Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania and Badrinath Ki Dulhania) , the lead pair was fresh, and then there
was an element of how Sridevi and my daughter look like and how she performs.
And, I am sure the audiences are not disappointed. The collections are speaking
for themselves.
I have been
getting clippings on my phone of people dancing in theatres to
Zingaat. It's a wonderful feeling. 
What's Karan's
reaction? Did you speak to him after the movie released?
Well, I spoke to
him when he saw the film first time.
And?
He was elated. He
was extremely happy about Ishaan and Janhvi, both. He told me that Janhvi is a
revelation. Ishaan accomplished himself quite well in Beyond The Clouds. 
Please
continue...
Shabana Azmi told
me 'Has Janhvi done chupke se 25-30 films that you haven't released? She looks
so polished on screen'. Rekhaji was in tears.
And these people
are in different league. They don't say things for just the heck of it...
Yeah,
absolutely. Else they could have been just polite, said 'Good, Good,
Good' and walked out. Then, Javed Akhtar called up the next day. In fact, he
called up even today and told Janhvi that he still can't get over it that how
she managed such a difficult role in her first film. 
Ishaan
is of course a good actor. He had proved it in his first film. Let us not
forget the circumstances Janhvi found herself in. Almost half of Dhadak was
shot after Sri's demise. It requires great courage in such conditions to play
the part. I had always told her: Never try to act, just become the part. And
she did!
Sri and I had
seen quite a few scenes much before we left for Dubai. We were in the car and I
asked her what she thinks of her. She said that I should answer that question
first. I replied: The good thing about her is she is not in awe of you.
We have had
several cases of children of big stars who are in major awe of their
parents.
Personality
traits cannot be changed, even the voice can be similar--- but here Janhvi's
voice is different than her mom's.
Yeah, she has a
peculiar voice...
I would rather
say vulnerable and not peculiar, the vulnerability brings in innocence and that
makes her endearing.. I don't know if you know this but Janhvi is a big
movie buff.
She is a big fan
of Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, Nutan, Waheeda Rehman, Vyjanthimala. She
has a big collection of their films and I recently even asked Bimal Roy's son
to send us some of Bimalda's films which we can't get now. 
And as we speak,
Janhvi is watching Guru Dutt's Kagaz Ke Phool in the other room now.
Yes. We are
really blessed to have a child like her. She will achieve what she has
embarked upon. The journey has just begun.
I remember
meeting Sridevi when she was shooting for English Vinglish, in fact you had
only helped me to meet her. She had a few things to say that she doesn't want
Janhvi to enter the industry. What was the hitch? The unpredictability of the
profession? And I heard you motivated her...
I wouldn't say
that I motivated Janhvi. I encouraged her to let her do what she wants. Why
curb someone's natural instincts? Like for one, I didn't know until Salman
(Khan) told me that Arjun has it in him to become an actor.
On the other
hand, my eldest child, Anshula is extremely academically inclined. And
Khushi first wanted to become a model- but has now shifted her focus to
becoming an actress.
Coming to your
question, the unpredictability of the profession was one reason. Sri was a
perfectionist, so she put in a lot of hard work--- so yeah, she felt that
Janhvi should enjoy what her parents have achieved and if at all wants to start
working, should get into a profession where there is comfort. We have no fixed
hours here, you see glitter and glamour on screen- but it's not easy to set up
and enact all that.
So,
what was the flash-point where she agreed with Janhvi, saying, "Theek
hai, I am with you'?
Well, it
eventually seeped into her that this is what my daughter wants to do and she
agreed with me--- and became very supportive.
You must have
spent some sleepless nights, torn between the two. It happens with me at
home...
We had that faith
in her that she can look after herself, not do anything wrong and not get
carried away. That was the assurance.
But kabhi laga,
kaise agree karvaun? How should the two converge?
There was
hesitation, there was reluctance. But it didn't go beyond that.
Tell me 3 scenes
from Dhadak which you think stand out...
Why 3? She is
consistent throughout the film.
Sure. I have
already seen the film twice and I am sitting with you on Day 3...
It's a great
role. The first requires her to be commanding and yet seek attention.
Are these
elements in real in her?
No.
How is she in
real life?
She is a very
warm, affectionate child with proper netiquettes. All those who have interacted
with her tell me that. I am fortunate that people have to say such good things
about all my four children- they say that they have been very well brought up.
What advice have
you given her at present?
Keep things
simple. There is a lot of negativity in our profession. Different people
have different agendas. Just do your work with honesty and sincerity, they will
all start talking positively about you one day.
Will you be
having a say in the projects she takes up?
It's early days
yet. I had seen Sairat. Moreover, she was in good hands. I knew Sairat was
being scaled up. I know how changes are done to suit the Hindi film market. I
myself have handled 16 such films as a filmmaker.
I will be there
to guide her for sure. She will also have Karan to guide her. At the same time,
I would leave the final decision to her. Even Sri used to take decisions
on her own. I remember Sri's mother telling me few times that I should
convince her to do such-and-such film. I did that once and failed
twice. That time I was just a filmmaker, our relationship hadn't gone the
way it finally did.
Did that one film
click?
It was a South
film.
Did it click?
No.
So, the judgment was more
or less correct?
Yeah. Sri's instincts were very strong. I want Janhvi
also to polish her her instincts and take decisions independently. Decisions go
wrong but if you have taken them yourself, you won't blame anybody and it won't
disturb you. I have taken certain decisions where I went wrong when I was
called the manipulator. If I was smart, I wouldn't have gone through what I
went through.
Since you just spoke about certain decisions that you
took, let me ask you: How are things going financially on your front?
All is well. Let's not get into that.
Is Janhvi more like her mother or you?
She's got good points from both of us. Also, she has her
own individuality. She knows what she wants to do and what she doesn't want to
do. And, I respect that. Everything will be discussed at home but the final
decision will be her's.
As a single parent now, do you have do's and don'ts for
her? Itne baje ghar aana hai...
I am a friendly father. I have been through this age. I
know its pitfalls and the bright spots. All my children are within limits. As
far as her career moves of Janhvi are concerned, she will have Karan and me
around.
But I won't live forever. She is young. I am 62-63.
Let's not say that you won't live long...
I am not being philosophical.
It's happened to you twice. What keeps you going?
Difficult is a modest word...
My shock absorbers are strong, physically and
emotionally. I wouldn't lie. I have my moments when I am down and low. But I
gather myself when decisions are to be taken.
Today, I am
prepared for anything. I don't fear anything. I am ready to face. That a
streak/trait in me that has kept me strong. I can carry on with life with
eventualities that have not been good.
Mr India and No
Entry--- Part 2 is being discussed for both?
You will hear
something soon. For now, I have announced one film.
So you are
coming back in a big way...
I wouldn't say that I am coming back in a big way. I
never went away. I had a lot of goodwill and I hope the respect and good wishes
continue. I managed to do films in my rough times too - Tevar, Mom, Wanted,
Milenge Milenge, No Entry. Unfortunately Tevar did not do well, Ditto for
Milenge Milenge, though the reason was because it got delayed.
Did it hurt when Tevar didn't do well? It had your son
Arjun in the lead...
Of course, it hurt.
Did Arjun say anything?
No, and he never blamed me for it. In fact, the subject
was chosen by him only, I had shown him 3-4 subjects and he chose Tevar.
There were disagreements between him, me and the director
(Amit).
So, it wasn't a smooth ride?
It was a smooth
ride- but the casting of the film, release date, thoda tha. All the same,
healthy discussion hota tha. Us picture ki kundli shayyad aisi thi. You can't
fight destiny.
Talking about
Arjun, I need to touch upon how he, Janhvi, Khushi and Anshula have come
together now. Does it make you more at peace?
As I said, I am blessed to have these four. They love
each other a lot and I am glad that they have come together. It was due to
happen anytime, it just happened when something unfortunate happened. They are
all my blood and they had to come around.
I give credit to all four, but yes, more to Arjun because
he is the eldest. He flew in to Dubai to be with me. Anshula was in Mumbai with
Janhvi and Khushi. They have happened through two different mothers but why
should they get affected? They need their father now, and I am going to be
around them. 
Arjun has now settled down. How much do you guide him?
Arjun is a sensible boy. His sensibilities have been
clued to how the He travelled with me for many films- Wanted, Pukar,
Shakti. He has handled the post and done a lot of running around. Experience is
the best teacher. I will be around for him always, plus he has Aditya Chopra
(YRF) to guide him. He too is in safe hands.
Now, please go and see Dhadak in a theatre...
(Smiles) Janhvi saw it in Gaiety-Galaxy and came out very
happy. As for me, I don't go to theatres. I get very ruffled if even some small
thing is not in place- sound, picture quality...
Like your wife,
you also are a perfectionist...
That's why we got
along so well (smiles).