Wanted: Deepika Padukone

Badlapur has started well. Credit goes to you for transforming the chocolate boy Varun Dhawan into an angry young man...
Oh, he is still a chocolate boy. It's just that his character in Badlapur is dark and bitter chocolate! And bitter chocolate is good for health isn't it? (smiles).

Did it cross your mind that you should cast a senior actor in this role?
Yes. But then I thought that if I have a 35-40 year old guy as a protagonist, he would have already undergone through some pain or tragedy in life. A younger guy would look more vulnerable. An older guy would have perhaps taken it subtly. One day, Dinu (producer of Badlapur, Dinesh Vijjan) and I were chatting when Varun called. He was nearby and we asked him to come over. The way he heard the script and reacted, I was sure that he is the right guy.

You got an A certificate for this film. Any regrets?
Varun has a big fan following in kids who can't see the film.

But what's your take on this new ditkat by the Censor Board that cuss words in films will not be allowed..
There are films like Gangs of Wasseypur, now such films demand certain words because you are talking about a town or characters where only a certain kind of language  is used. How can you bypass reality? I think I have answered your question.

Your next film is based on Vikas Swarup's book The Accidental Apprentice...
That's right.

Have you asked Deepika Padukone to play the central role?
I have shared the basic story with her. I have yet to finish the script in all respects though.

Agent Vinod didn't do well. Buzz is, Saif interfered in the making...
I wouldn't term it as interference. Look, Saif loves Bond films. He wanted certain elements from those films to be included in Agent Vinod. I am very fond of Saif, so I incorporated what he said.

Lessons learnt?
A film should be driven by one vision.

You said that you are fond of Saif. Are you considering him opposite Deepika for your next?
Saif is a fantastic actor. I want to work with him again. But not for my cinematic version of The Accidental Apprentice. This film will be a female-oriented subject. And I need someone younger than Saif for it.

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