WAR Director Siddharth Anand On Film’s 2nd Anniversary: My Attempt Has Been To Create Benchmark Action Films Like WAR
On the second anniversary of WAR, director Siddharth Anand and Vaani Kapoor talk about the film
Director Siddharth Anand has established himself as the biggest director for action entertainers in India after WAR became an all-time blockbuster two years back. Yash Raj Films’ adrenaline-pumping visual spectacle set a new benchmark in the history of Hindi cinema right from its box office record, to spectacular scale, to huge hit songs and it even created a casting coup to pit Hrithik Roshan against Tiger Shroff.
Siddharth said, “The intention with WAR was to raise the bar in action and stunts in Hindi cinema. We are such a large industry and we make so many films in a year but we really don't make too many action films, that somehow is a void in our industry. To make spectacle action films and my attempt in the last 5-7 years, 7 years actually since Bang Bang, has been to create benchmark action films like WAR and to fill that void has been my endeavor.”
He added, “I choose subjects and stories. I write stories, I hunt stories that can encapsulate the action, that can be genre-defining. So, yes, that has been a conscious decision for the past 5-7 years and now it has become my identity. My whole being has become tuned to make action spectacles and WAR was a testament to that endeavor. I'm working even harder to give the audience a bigger spectacle in my next.”
Siddharth reveals why Aditya Chopra and he wanted to mount WAR at a scale never seen before. He also reveals while Hrithik vs Tiger was a casting coup, it wasn’t the only factor that made WAR an all-time blockbuster. He said, “I don't think that the WAR at the box office was won because of the ensemble star-cast. War came in 2019 and in the last 3-4 years preceding WAR, you'd seen all tentpole films of the biggest superstars had flopped. They were tanking left-right-center. In fact, what was doing well was the mid-range actors with high concept films. So, it was actually getting a big star cast in a tentpole film, was the most unsafe thing at that point in time.”
He further added, “Obviously, it is a safe thing to get the big star-cast so that you get the budget that allows you to make the tentpole film you want but it doesn't necessarily guarantee box office returns. You need to get out there and make a good film that connects with the audience. Audiences stop coming for stars, they come for stories and they come for the film. Yes, getting the stars is a huge bonus and plus, but the actors themselves know, that's why they take time to choose films because they know that stars get you an opening, but the film needs to work. Hrithik and Tiger have worked extremely hard in the film. They didn't sit back and say -'Oh we've got a great combination with YRF, and we have a great banner, good action director, and 'we are there, so the film's a success. No, they worked really very hard, they know it themselves. They pushed to make a great film and everybody, the producer, the actors the technicians really worked hard to make War the success that it is.”
And when people look back at WAR for generations, what does Siddharth Anand think will be their takeaway? He said, “I'd like to believe that it would be the action genre-defining film of that generation. I would like to believe that. I think we gave them the spectacle that they get from all the big-scale international films they watch and that they are exposed to. So, I think somewhere they would be proud that we've also made a film like that and that we can make films like that with a fraction of the budget that the Hollywood films get. So yes, (I want them to) to remember it as a fun action film. A film that they can see again and probably they can show the next generation and say 'that time we used to have such films.' I think it's asking for too much but yes, I want them to remember it as a fun action film.”
Vaani Kapoor was paired opposite Hrithik Roshan in the film. Vaani talking about the film said, that she was blessed with some of the most beautiful songs with this film. She had a pivotal role in WAR and she made an impact with her acting, how good she looked on screen with her co-star Hrithik Roshan and, of course, Ghungroo in which she matched steps with the king of dance in Indian films, Hrithik himself!
Vaani said, “I believe with every film, one discovers a new dimension to themselves. You gain experience, new learnings, and observations as an artist. It helps build a better foundation for future work. I do feel till date, I’ve been blessed with some of the most beautiful songs in my filmography be it Gulabi, Nashe Si chad Gayi or Ghungroo.”
Hrithik Roshan is a dream co-star to have for anyone. Vaani speaks about how she achieved that sparkling chemistry with him as a super fresh pairing on screen. She said, “I’m happy it was perceived that way. Hrithik’s phenomenal in whatever he does, be it acting or dance. A very self-aware individual, hardworking, and an intelligent artist. I’m just grateful to have had the opportunity to share the screen space with him. It’s been an honor and a delight to share the screen with him. Hopefully, next time, given the opportunity, I will work even harder so I can perform half as good as he does.”
Image Source: Instagram/_vaanikapoor_/yrf, SpotboyE Archives
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