Nikhil Advani: I’m solely responsible for Katti Batti and Hero’s failure

After Katti Batti and Hero, Nikhil Advani has now directed a short film titled Guddu Engiineer. The movie is a part of an anthology of 12 films, directed by 6 Indian filmmakers and 6 Pakistani directors, as an initiative to bridge the gap between the two neighbouring countries. SpotboyE caught up with Nikhil at the Zeal for Unity event, a unique peace initiative which took place in Amritsar. Excerpts:

Tell us about your role in the initiative.
We were given a canvas with the freedom to create anything which will give the message of unity, love and peace. It has been 70 years and I still don’t know what was the fight about between India and Pakistan. It’s all in the past. We shouldn’t forget history, but we shouldn’t allow it to hold us back.

What is your film, Guddu Engiineer about?
When I was asked to make a film by Shailjaji (Kejriwal, Chief Creative at Zee TV), I wanted to make Ketan’s (Mehta) film Toba Tek Singh, but that was already taken. So I got together with my writer Aseem Arora to write Guddu Engiineer. We purposely kept the spelling of ‘engineer’ wrong. It’s a story about a mischievous boy studying engineering and during the course, falls in love. He does stupid things to woo his ladylove and suddenly finds himself tangled in a sinister plan.

Image Source: deadlinepost

Do you see films as a tool to bridge the gap between India and Pakistan?
Not only Indo-Pak gap, I see films as a tool to bridge all gaps. Cinema, art, music are the only ways by which a common man can be inspired. People remember filmy dialogues and art is the only way how you can inspire positive thoughts in a person’s mind.

Image Source: vk

What is your opinion on the banning of Indian films in Pakistan?
Recently, Neerja was banned in Pakistan. I feel the authorities should have seen the film before arriving at that decision. They would have seen that they are the heroes in the film. The airport authorities of Pakistan were actually trying to help out the passengers. It was a historical event which happened. What’s wrong in showing the truth?
Even when it came to my production Airlift, Kuwait decided to ban the film. We requested the officials to see the film and then decide. Finally, the film released in Kuwait after a week. The important thing here is that a dialogue happened between two countries.

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Talking about your films, what do you think went wrong with Hero and Katti Batti?
My biggest mistake with Katti Batti and Hero was that I couldn’t give enough time to either of the films. It will never happen again. You learn from your mistakes. I take complete responsibility for everything that went wrong with the films. But I am very proud of Katti Batti. I have my heart and soul in it.

Image Source: zingfy

What’s the status of Bazaar? Buzz was, Hrithik Roshan or Akshay Kumar would be seen in the film...
I’ll start working on Bazaar in a few months. And you’ll get to know who the hero is when the project starts.

Image Source: Manav Manglani

What about your television series – the adaptation of Hatufim?
It’s the official adaptation of the Israeli series and we have started working on it. It will release this year on Star Plus.

Again, you’re handling two projects at the same time...
No, this time, I’ll start filming Bazaar after I’m done with Hatufim.


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