Hrithik: If Both Babies- Kaabil & Raees- Don't Get Equal Food, How Can You Compare And Compete?
Hrithik Roshan and Rakesh Roshan are still reeling from the volte-face done by exhibitors who chose to give more screens to Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees than Kaabil. But there is more to come, they say...
When Rakesh Roshan opened the papers on Wednesday morning, he was greeted with the good reviews for Kaabil, his latest release starring son Hrithik Roshan. Then he turned the pages and his face fell; he realised that Kaabil has not got as many screens as Raees, the Shah Rukh Khan starrer which it was was taking head-on at the box-office in a clash, which is now the talk of the town.
Image Source: youtube/redchilliesentertainment
In their first joint interview after the release of the film, the father-son duo Rakesh Roshan and Hrithik Roshan spoke to SpotboyE.com about the question which is on everyone’s mind- Who will win this battle royale? Excerpts:
Have you gauged the response to Kaabil personally?
Rakesh Roshan: We have not been to any shows, I have not spoken to any of my distributors as of now, I shall speak to them on Monday because I am confident that by then, we would have done very well on the numbers.
Hrithik: Well, that's the box-office, but the love that we are experiencing is very special to me. I think I am getting this kind of love after quite some time. So, I feel very (pauses), let's say I am speechless. I thought we made a good film and was expecting good reviews... but I was not expecting this. This is my best reviewed film of my entire career. I am humbled and don't know how to react.
Rakesh: And I am feeling very proud of Hrithik. As a father, as a filmmaker, both.
Image Source: instagram/kaabilthemovie
What was your state of mind in the morning when you picked up the newspaper?
Rakesh: I saw a full page ad of my film with reviews and stars, I felt very elated and overwhelmed by the response which the critics and audience has given us. This is half the battle won I felt.
But when I turned the page and saw the listings of the theatres, I was disappointed because the exhibitors had promised me. ‘Hey , we will go 50-50’ but they didn't stick to their promise. I was hurt.
The movies that the exhibitors show in the theatres or single screens - they are the final link to the audience. If they are being partial, these clashes will continue to happen. They have to put their foot down and say that if two big films release on the same day, they will give 50-50 space and then mark my words, no two big films will clash ever.
I am talking and thinking about the future and I had requested them with folded hands: Please take the industry forward, otherwise this game will never end'.
They are big, organised players, even bigger than the producer. Why should they be biased?
So, the producer and actor of the rival film are not involved in this?
Image Source: youtube/redchilliesentertainment
Have you gauged the response to Kaabil personally?
Rakesh Roshan: We have not been to any shows, I have not spoken to any of my distributors as of now, I shall speak to them on Monday because I am confident that by then, we would have done very well on the numbers.
Hrithik: Well, that's the box-office, but the love that we are experiencing is very special to me. I think I am getting this kind of love after quite some time. So, I feel very (pauses), let's say I am speechless. I thought we made a good film and was expecting good reviews... but I was not expecting this. This is my best reviewed film of my entire career. I am humbled and don't know how to react.
Rakesh: And I am feeling very proud of Hrithik. As a father, as a filmmaker, both.
Image Source: instagram/kaabilthemovie
Rakesh: I saw a full page ad of my film with reviews and stars, I felt very elated and overwhelmed by the response which the critics and audience has given us. This is half the battle won I felt.
But when I turned the page and saw the listings of the theatres, I was disappointed because the exhibitors had promised me. ‘Hey , we will go 50-50’ but they didn't stick to their promise. I was hurt.
The movies that the exhibitors show in the theatres or single screens - they are the final link to the audience. If they are being partial, these clashes will continue to happen. They have to put their foot down and say that if two big films release on the same day, they will give 50-50 space and then mark my words, no two big films will clash ever.
I am talking and thinking about the future and I had requested them with folded hands: Please take the industry forward, otherwise this game will never end'.
They are big, organised players, even bigger than the producer. Why should they be biased?
So, the producer and actor of the rival film are not involved in this?
Rakesh: Producers or actors are not involved in this but yes, under whichever producer's pressure they are under, that is what we have to stop.
And this can be stopped. It’s very sad that they succumbed to pressure, that too for a film which is releasing in March (Read: Bahubaali). These people are powerful but they are using the power in the wrong direction.
Image Source: youtube/redchilliesentertainment
Hrithik, we know you were hurt as you had tweeted about it. But what keeps your faith alive in the industry?
Hrithik: Because it's all about faith in human progress. I have an understanding of human behaviour. This is not a blame game, this is an expression to make people aware that there can be progress, fairness and that is the way to evolve. So, because of that belief of mine, good things come out. I am also not as aware about the kind of impact this will have on the producer, I am an actor. The producer works behind the film and then for his baby to not get fair treatment is sad. Our baby is special, their baby is special - if both babies (Read: Kaabil & Raees) don't get equal food - how can you compare and compete?
That is what my father, as a producer is expressing. I am with him in this. When I hear him speak, I can sense the truth in what he says. You can't expect everything to be hunky-dory in life. But yes, he had clearly chosen a date long back. He continued to work hard and made his film knowing that he has done the right thing to others by not clashing with them and chose a date that was free.
Image Source: twitter/rakeshroshan
How he is, he expects other people to be the same. That is what causes a little bit of hurt which he is using now to make people aware about the future. There is no need for such things to happen.
How did your kids- Hrehaan and Hridhaan- react after watching the film?
Hrithik: My kids unanimously said, "Daddy, Kaabil is the best Hindi film ever made in India."
Image Source: twitter/rakeshroshan
Rakesh: I spoke to them this afternoon, and they said, "Guddu Papa, Thank you for making the best film."
And this can be stopped. It’s very sad that they succumbed to pressure, that too for a film which is releasing in March (Read: Bahubaali). These people are powerful but they are using the power in the wrong direction.
Image Source: youtube/redchilliesentertainment
Hrithik: Because it's all about faith in human progress. I have an understanding of human behaviour. This is not a blame game, this is an expression to make people aware that there can be progress, fairness and that is the way to evolve. So, because of that belief of mine, good things come out. I am also not as aware about the kind of impact this will have on the producer, I am an actor. The producer works behind the film and then for his baby to not get fair treatment is sad. Our baby is special, their baby is special - if both babies (Read: Kaabil & Raees) don't get equal food - how can you compare and compete?
That is what my father, as a producer is expressing. I am with him in this. When I hear him speak, I can sense the truth in what he says. You can't expect everything to be hunky-dory in life. But yes, he had clearly chosen a date long back. He continued to work hard and made his film knowing that he has done the right thing to others by not clashing with them and chose a date that was free.
Image Source: twitter/rakeshroshan
How did your kids- Hrehaan and Hridhaan- react after watching the film?
Hrithik: My kids unanimously said, "Daddy, Kaabil is the best Hindi film ever made in India."
Image Source: twitter/rakeshroshan
At the end of the day, what has this experience taught you?
Hrithik: A lot of things. I think what the reactions have taught me is more important to me right now. I must continue to do exactly what I am doing. Encouragement will come in the form of love like this. I will keep this in my heart safely and use it on the day when I feel tired.
Image Source: instagram/kaabilthemovie
Thumbnail Image Source: SpotboyE Team & twitter/hrithikroshan
Hrithik: A lot of things. I think what the reactions have taught me is more important to me right now. I must continue to do exactly what I am doing. Encouragement will come in the form of love like this. I will keep this in my heart safely and use it on the day when I feel tired.
Image Source: instagram/kaabilthemovie
Thumbnail Image Source: SpotboyE Team & twitter/hrithikroshan
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