Salman Knew I Wanted Iulia For My Film, It's Relevant in Today's Times Of #MeToo: Prem Soni
Radha Kyon Gori Main Kyon Kaala director Prem Soni speaks exclusively to SpotboyE.com about his second innings, Ishkq In Paris, casting Iulia Vantur and the #MeToo movement
Last night director Prem Soni and producer Prernaa Arora unveiled the first poster of their collaboration Radha Kyon Gori Main Kyon Kaala at JW Marriott. This film will be Iulia Vantur's first splash in Bollywood. This afternoon, we got talking to the film's director Prem Soni, who took all the questions bravely on his chin.
Excerpts:
Your last film Ishkq In Paris starring Preity Zinta did not do well...
I take the entire blame. I went wrong. I was trying to get nuances of the life of an Indian who stays abroad. I failed. Nobody else except me is the reason.
I took a break. I used the hibernation to do a lot of rethinking on my strengths. I went through many scripts, and here I am for my second innings.
What is Radha Kyon Gori Main Kyon Kaala (RKGMKK) all about?
It's about a girl from a foreign land who comes to India. She has utmost faith in Lord Krishna. Despite a ghastly tragedy in her life, her faith does not corrode.
She is raped in India...
Right. I am thankful to Iulia for having accepted the role. It is not an easy role. When I met her for it, she told me that she had no plans to enter movies, but once she heard the subject, she said it has a big social message attached to it, and she wants to drive home that message.
And what does Jimmy Sheirgill play?
Iulia's husband.
Does the rape happen before or after marriage?
After marriage.
Go on...
India registers a rape every 14 minutes. What about the unregistered cases? RKGMKK is all about those unregistered cases, which we hush up thinking 'log kya kahenge'.
Are you pally with Preity Zinta again?
Why? When did we fight? Meri taraf se toh all is well. We are very much talking. But you can ask Preity for her version.
Buzz was, you two were not on talking terms after Ishkq in Paris failed to live up to expectations?
As I said, the fault was mine when it came to Ishkq In Paris having not hit the right chords. There was no misunderstanding on that between Preity and I.
How did you collaborate with Prernaa Arora on RKGMKK?
I knew Prernaa since a long time. She loves to do films that impart a social message. Ten minutes into the chat, she said she is backing my film.
How did you reach Iulia?
Well, I knew her. So I reached out to her.
But before that, you spoke to Salman Khan about it...
Yes. I always discuss my work with Salman. He loved the subject. I told him I was approaching Iulia for the female lead's role.
RKGMKK is not just about Iulia's case. It deals with a bigger picture.
#MeToo movement is gaining ground. Your movie runs close to that subject, it seems...
It is ironic that #MeToo started now. I had completed my script 4 months ago. Think of it, RKGMKK script is so relevant in today's times of #MeToo.
Your views on #MeToo...
It is pertinent. I stand by it. It's just that it should not be misused to settle trivial scores.
When do you release RKGMKK?
In May 2019. I start shooting on November 12 in Mathura followed by Agra. We have a longish schedule in Romania (Iulia is from Romania) too.
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