Mumbai, Maharashtra: In an exclusive interview with IANS, filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani and actor Arshad Warsi recently opened up about their upcoming cybercrime drama Pritam Pedro and how the series will be different from other cybercrime dramas. In the interview, Arshad further shared his views on the difference between old-school actors and new-school actors, recalling how one actor went for a massage just after a few shots. Rajkumar Hirani spoke about how SRK, Sanjay Dutt, Ranbir Kapoor, and Vicky Kaushal never complained about working hours. Raju Hirani said he has never faced any problem with actors, and no actor has told him they will work only for limited hours. He gave the example of Ranbir Kapoor, who would come at 3 am for _Sanju_’s makeup. Arshad also shared that he is not well-versed with tech and revealed how he accidentally went live on Instagram. The actor also answered whether he has ever been a victim of cybercrime. Later, Arshad shared his experience of working with Vir Hirani, who played Circuit’s son in Munnabhai. Rajkumar Hirani also shared if he gives advice to his son Vir Hirani, who plays Pritam in the series. Both of them also spoke about their experience working with actor Vikrant Massey in the series and discussed the next sequel of Munnabhai.
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FunTranscript
00:00Welcome to INS both of you sir. First thing first, this is third collaboration between you and Arshad sir.
00:08How did you, you know, zero in to Arshad sir for playing this cop and Pritam and Pedro, which is
00:16a cyber crime series.
00:18This whole concept, you have already spoken in press conference, but then this was not something that your regular genre,
00:26which you are doing, comes in.
00:29So how did this entire thing, you know, was conceptualized? So you will answer these two questions.
00:37The first question is the third collaboration.
00:40How did you make a mistake for the third time?
00:45No, with Arshad, I, of course, there were two first films in my life.
00:53And after that, I always wanted to work with them.
00:58But finally, what happens is that there is a script, a role in that role.
01:01You decide who to do and who to do.
01:05So we had to do that. We had to do that.
01:07But then we did not do that.
01:09But then there was a chance to get a date.
01:11And then there was a chance to get this.
01:13And it's different.
01:14That's what Arshad has done. It's not the circuit.
01:17It's a, of course, light-hearted humor, etc.
01:21But there is a serious character's backstory.
01:24It's very, very, very, very different.
01:26So it's a very different Arshad.
01:28I don't think that Arshad will be different.
01:30Because you've also seen Arshad as a serious role in Arshad.
01:33And the perception is that he does comedy.
01:36In which you can see that there is also comedy.
01:38There is a very serious side to him also.
01:42The entire cyber crime drama.
01:44There have been few films and web series around it.
01:47But you said that you received a call from Mumbai police during Covid.
01:54That's something very interesting.
01:56And this is something that creates awareness.
02:00As well as a very entertaining series as well.
02:04But I want to know that when the conceptualization was happening,
02:10How did it ensure that it reached people to the right message?
02:14And how did the last cyber crime drama have been different?
02:20You see, first of all, in the last cyber crime drama,
02:22What I have seen, I haven't seen all of them.
02:24But what I have seen, they are very serious or dark.
02:29This is a story about cyber crime.
02:31But there are a lot of interesting characters and back stories.
02:35There are a lot of humor and emotions.
02:39And it's very fast.
02:40You don't have to worry about it.
02:42You don't have to worry about it.
02:43You don't have to worry about it.
02:45You don't have to worry about it.
02:45You don't have to worry about it.
02:45You don't have to worry about it.
02:48You don't have to worry about it.
02:48And what was the first question?
02:51No, no.
02:51So how was the entire conceptual?
02:54And how is it different?
02:55Because the call you received was from Mumbai police.
02:58So that is why there is more responsibility.
03:00All the more.
03:01No, the call was that our old friend, Harish Bajal.
03:05He was the head of Cybercell.
03:08During Covid, there was a lot of crime.
03:13Because people call online things.
03:15So there were many scams.
03:17So they called me to make a film for public service.
03:21So that people could tell us what to do.
03:23So they didn't make a film for them.
03:25Because we couldn't shoot outside.
03:28So we made an animation and made it to the house.
03:33So we were very happy.
03:34So they met Amit.
03:36Who wrote many stories, short stories.
03:42And they do a lot of work in this field.
03:44So those stories were very interesting.
03:46So they were inspired.
03:48Because they were from real stories.
03:49So our research was from real stories.
03:53And so they found a lot of the stories.
03:55And that happened that we don't have a dream.
03:59And our characters are fictitious.
04:02And so we are.
04:04But all the crime happened that was more or less.
04:07It happened that all episodes will have happened.
04:09So that we get inspired.
04:12I don't think it was misguided.
04:13You will get a resonance in our life.
04:18Ashut sir, you are playing a cop, an old school cop and your favorite department is crime branch.
04:25But you have been shifted to cyber crime branch.
04:32As an actor, you all must have seen such characters.
04:37But then as an actor, there is a lot of conversation going about old school actors, new school actors.
04:45I want to know from your point of view, what is the difference that you find between the old school
04:51actor and new school actor?
04:55I can give you an example now.
04:57I don't name the director, but one of our directors was shooting and I had some stunts to do.
05:08And it was a lot of stunts.
05:11So hanging from somewhere, running and falling and this and that.
05:15Kaafi Krishna.
05:16So I did all that and I came and I sat down and waited for my next shot.
05:21Then I got up and I did the next shot.
05:24So he came to me and he said, Ashut, you know, such a pleasure working with guys like you.
05:29He said, the newer lot, they dance with two steps and they go to massage.
05:36Recuperate and recovery, they need time.
05:38Then they recover and take another shot.
05:43I said, yes, this is a little old and new.
05:48He said, our school is different.
05:51We come from a different world of this acting.
05:56And so, yes, there is a little difference.
05:58But I think somewhere it all works out.
06:01I think the newer lot of actors are more scared because a lot is at stake.
06:13So I think they try to be as safe as possible.
06:18But more or less, I think the older lot actors are more patient, more tolerant.
06:26The younger lot actors are a little more impatient and less tolerant.
06:31As a director, what is your perspective about this?
06:35Because you have worked with actors of different generations.
06:37But one thing that has always stayed with you that you repeat your actors too much.
06:42Like, you have eight or ten favorites.
06:46You have worked with every film and every series.
06:48But what is your perspective about this as a director?
06:53I think this is not old or new.
06:56This is an attitude of individuals.
06:59Like, I have worked with Shah Rukh, Amir, Sanju, Arshad and others.
07:06So, they are extremely dedicated to the work.
07:11I have worked with Ranbir and Vijay.
07:14I find the same amount of dedication in them.
07:17So, they have a personal attitude of a person.
07:21I completely understand what Arshad is talking about.
07:28But it is a very individual thing.
07:30It is something they are doing.
07:30You have to say, How many people are doing?
07:33I look like this is a fat division.
07:34So, you have to take a step in step.
07:36And you have to go to the next level and you have to do it.
07:37You have to do it.
07:39And you have to take a step in step right now.
07:40You work with Shah Rukh, you see his comfort, man.
07:43You have to take a step right now.
07:45One day, he has to teach me, I have to take out.
07:52So, for you, I know it is really incredible.
07:54He wants to take my steps to walk with me.
07:56He wants to get out to work with me.
07:58I have to take your steps after this.
07:58So, your attention is trying to have to take off work withص.
08:00And I have to take care to try by little more information.
08:02There is a tremendous amount of dedication they also had.
08:05But yeah, there are other kind of factors who then they limit themselves.
08:10They don't reach there anywhere.
08:11Ranveer and Vicky are like old soul.
08:14They are like, they come from the family that has been around.
08:19So they know it.
08:21They have seen their parents working hard.
08:23They have seen all that.
08:24But this is their sensibility.
08:27But then again, this also gives rise to a little debate like you said that the old actors
08:34who are senior actors, they are willing to work for 24 hours, 36 hours.
08:39And as long as a filmmaker needs them to be on the set because there is so much expense
08:44attached to it.
08:46Whereas there is another school of actors who says that we only want to work for limited
08:52hours.
08:52Does that hamper filmmaking or does that affect the finances?
08:56As a filmmaker, I want to understand your perspective.
08:58I don't like that.
08:59I don't like that.
09:00I don't like that.
09:00I don't like that.
09:22I don't like that.
09:23I was sitting in the middle of the city.
09:23I was sitting there at 6am, so there is a van on the outside.
09:26It's a lamp on the inside.
09:27It's a make-up on the inside.
09:29And then we were sitting in the whole 12 hours.
09:31I never complained that I am never complaining.
09:33I have never complained.
09:34It's never happened.
09:34I have never seen anybody complaining.
09:38Arshad sir, this question is for you. Like in the series, I have seen that you are technologically challenged. Right.
09:44And most of, you know, people who belong to generation of 80s, 90s, they face this problem big time when
09:51technology started evolving, especially this computer and everything. What challenge have you faced in real life and do you still
09:57face challenges in understanding technology?
09:59Yes, yes. I am fully challenged. I am not good with technology at all. I am not at all good
10:04with it. I am not even good with handling my Insta. I was saying Raju about it that once by
10:10mistake, I was, what do you call it, live. I was live. I didn't even know the phone was in
10:14my pocket and I was live. And people, I was walking around in London, they could hear my conversation and
10:19my daughter was calling me up, my manager was calling me up. And they were saying, get off, you are
10:24live. And I didn't even know what they were talking about. I said, live? What live?
10:28They are on Insta live. I am really bad at it. I ask my kids how to do this, how
10:34to do that. And I am not even, see, I will be honest, it is not great.
10:40I do not want to get so good with it that I am on it all the time. I don't
10:45want to. Like I am actually, I want to switch off to a button keypad phone and, you know, not
10:52a smartphone. I'd like to do that. I was talking, one of my interviews, I said, I said, it should
10:56become mandatory that
10:57one day in a week, there should be no internet, absolutely no internet. And people should just have nothing like
11:05that and chat with each other and do normal things.
11:08I don't think it is possible, but, you know, but things like that detox. Like I think what the UAE,
11:13the Gulf has done, below 15, you cannot use Insta.
11:16Even London also, even in UK also, there is proposal to ban social media, below 16 years.
11:21Below 16, it is a damn good idea.
11:24Yeah.
11:24It is a damn good idea.
11:25Below 75.
11:26Yeah.
11:28Just about 75.
11:30Yeah.
11:3062, 62, 63.
11:31You will retire.
11:32You will retire.
11:33You will retire.
11:34You will retire.
11:34You will retire.
11:37So then talking about technology, like firms, you know, they have adapted all the technological
11:44advancements and a lot is going in the field of AI in the past three, four years.
11:49Everybody is delving into AI and, and, you know, VFX big time.
11:53VFX to pehle bhi tha, but it has become lot more easier.
11:56What is your thought?
11:57Because there is another, you know, there is a lot of discussion that goes that AI has
12:02been like, it is being used in a way that, you know, films are losing their soul.
12:08So, what is your perspective on that?
12:11See, Dehi, AI is there to stay.
12:14You can't deny that.
12:16It's a new technology with tremendous amount of potential.
12:20Now, how one uses it, it depends completely on the individual.
12:24If you don't use it properly, then you will get the same junk.
12:28If you don't use it properly, then you can take it properly.
12:30You can't deny it properly.
12:32So, right now, it's so new that, and it's possibly simple, everybody's trying it out.
12:40But soon they will discover how to use it, how not to use it.
12:45Regulations, I think it should not be misused.
12:48There has to be a lot of laws in place so that it's not misused.
12:52Okay.
12:52So, now talking about Goa, you have like long connection with Goa.
12:58Because your house is there.
13:00And sir, I think Munna Bhai was shot in Goa, if I am not wrong.
13:03Yes, one chunk of show.
13:05So, this film is also based there.
13:09How, I mean, the use of AI, and I'll connect the geographical location and AI thing, that
13:15due to extensive use of AI, we have seen that the shooting in the real location, it is not
13:23happening as much as it used to be earlier.
13:25But in this film, we are saying that like we can see nice real locations.
13:29Do you think that filmmakers should, you know, stop doing that?
13:32Like they should be going to the real location and shooting there so that the feel and soul
13:36of the film is still intact.
13:41See, you always like to shoot in real locations.
13:45But sometimes it's not possible for various reasons.
13:48Sometimes it could be cost, sometimes it could be availability or feasibility, whether
13:54these are the conditions.
13:55So, it's been like that when there is cinema, you decide.
14:01If you watch the film, you also watch the film long shots and shoot the film.
14:06And then there was a filming shot.
14:07There was a filming shot, right?
14:08Yes.
14:08There was a project.
14:10There was a project.
14:10Yeah.
14:12There was close-ups in the studio.
14:13So, that's a journey of cinema that you do cheat in many ways to make that work.
14:20And some people still would believe that we should not do that.
14:23Some people would use the advantage of it.
14:25See, it's VFX.
14:26So, you have to take advantage of it.
14:28But it should be good.
14:29If it's not good enough, then you will get into it.
14:31If it's good enough, then there is a lot of advantage of it.
14:34Talking about cybercrime, sir, there are many actors also who have spoken that how they
14:39have been victim of cybercrime.
14:41Have you faced any such instances?
14:43No, I haven't yet.
14:44Touch wood.
14:45Thank God for that.
14:46I haven't yet.
14:47Multiple reasons.
14:48I am not on my phone and on my laptop too much.
14:51I am not.
14:52So, I am quite…
14:53And I do not entertain anything that I am not familiar with.
14:57So, my phone has a setting where only the people who are in my contact can talk to me.
15:03The people who are not in my contact cannot talk to me.
15:06So, there is no problem in you.
15:09So, you cannot get through to me.
15:10So, what happens is, the only way you will be able to get in touch with me is by messaging
15:13me.
15:14So, after I see the message, I will know exactly who you are, who you are not and do I
15:17need to further the conversation.
15:19If the conversation seems dodgy, I will not, you know, pursue it.
15:25So, no.
15:26So far, I have been safe, but I think I am not as smart as the criminals are.
15:31They are very smart and they are way ahead of people like, who are good at, you know, AI and
15:39all that.
15:39And so, I just hope, so far so good and I just hope nobody comes after me.
15:44And something should be done about this.
15:46Like, at least I was talking about, every time there is a fake video, it must have a stamp saying
15:52it is not true.
15:53That should be done.
15:55You cannot put, you should not be able to put out a fake video and claim it to be true.
15:59Jo ho ra hai on a regular basis.
16:02That has to, you have to have, something must happen.
16:06I think Airtel has come out with a, with a, with a kind of an app or something where all
16:14these scamster calls will not come through.
16:17If the calls are not proper, they will not come through.
16:21Spam calls.
16:21Scam, spams and all that.
16:23No, scam and spam, they will be out.
16:25Cut or the base.
16:26So, I think somewhere one needs to, we'll, maybe we'll catch hold of Mr. Harij Behjal, who is a lovely
16:31guy.
16:33And catch him and tell him, let's figure something out.
16:36I think it will solve a lot of problems.
16:39If I open an app and it claims something, but there is a little mark that says, it's not true.
16:45Yeah.
16:46So, we played junior circuit, you know, as a child.
16:52And how is it, how is it like working with him 20 years, almost 20 years later?
16:56Very emotional.
16:58Very emotional.
16:59It's, yeah, because I've seen him grow up, so.
17:02Yeah.
17:02Yes, and I'm very happy.
17:03I'm very happy his first job was with me.
17:07I'm very happy, yeah.
17:09Yeah.
17:09Good.
17:09So, and so, how was it like directing your own son?
17:13Does he listen to you?
17:14No, I have not directed this series.
17:15It's been directed by Avinash.
17:17Yeah, yeah.
17:17Right, right.
17:17Sorry.
17:18So, I went to the set once in a while, but not.
17:21So, it's primarily with Avinash.
17:23And I wanted him to be like that, work with somebody else.
17:26Yeah.
17:27In future, if I have a script, I'll work with him.
17:29Yeah.
17:29So, but I wanted him to, the problem is that the kids usually never listen to the parents.
17:35So, he might not listen to him.
17:38But, of course.
17:39Actually, I didn't do it.
17:41Cut.
17:42Why did I cut it?
17:43I didn't do it.
17:43I didn't do it.
17:45But then, how much, like as a parent, obviously, every parent guides their, you know, child,
17:52that you should choose this, you should not choose that project.
17:57How much, like, but generally, they do not, you know, themselves go to parents to ask for advice.
18:03Yeah.
18:04How is your equation?
18:05How is your equation?
18:05Do they come from themselves?
18:06Or do you give them some advice?
18:09No.
18:10I, I think, see, every person has their journey, their journey, their journey.
18:16So, I think that if you take your hand and take your hand, then you will be able to live.
18:19So, I leave it open, if he needs advice, he's most welcome to come.
18:24If he doesn't need it, then let him.
18:26He'll make mistakes.
18:27He'll learn from them.
18:29He'll learn better.
18:30So, you, sit on your head and sit on your head.
18:34He was a mother of Hiron's mother in the past.
18:36He reached the set.
18:37So, it's a problem.
18:40You will get your juice out of your life.
18:45So, I am now talking about Vikrant.
18:47He's playing an antagonist in this.
18:50How are you experiencing Vikrant?
18:53I think an actor is very good.
18:56He's a very clear person.
18:58He's a sensible guy, good actor, well behaved, good nature.
19:02So, it's always a pleasure.
19:04It's a lot of fun to work with people.
19:08And, sir, Vikrant, generally,
19:12we haven't seen the roles in this role.
19:15So, what was your thought when you zeroed into Vikrant for this role?
19:20See, Vikrant is a fantastic actor.
19:22He does anything, you want to watch it.
19:26And, for an actor also, it's exciting that he's doing something different.
19:32So, I think for him also, it was very exciting.
19:34But, I didn't think how good he did it.
19:39He's done it so subtly and so well.
19:43You can see it.
19:45He's a fantastic actor, good person.
19:47Always a joy to work with.
19:48Yeah.
19:49And also, one thing I want to know that
19:52in the last 5-6 years, a lot of big filmmakers,
19:55they are now, you know, coming into web series,
19:58making web series like,
20:00Bansali sir also made Heera Mandi,
20:02and Neeraj Pandey,
20:04they have made it earlier.
20:05And, you are also making Pritam and Pedro.
20:09Is it, like, because obviously,
20:12market is still there,
20:13but then, for a director like,
20:16and for a filmmaker like you,
20:17who are so used to that,
20:19two and half hour, three hour format,
20:22how, what difference do you find when you,
20:25like, go and, you know, make a web series?
20:27Is it just because of the market demand,
20:29or do you want to experiment with these things?
20:33No, you have a new medium,
20:36and the world is watching it.
20:37In today's time,
20:39people are following OTT and watching,
20:42so we have a major audience there.
20:44And there are some stories
20:45that you can't speak on screen.
20:47There are times,
20:49you have to finish the maximum story.
20:53And there are some stories
20:54that you need a long time.
20:57So, this story,
20:58it's not the beginning of the film,
21:00it's not the story of the film.
21:00It's the story of OTT.
21:04So, if the story feels good,
21:06and the story of OTT is OTT,
21:07then you will write it.
21:08So, it was a very exciting journey,
21:10to understand how it is written,
21:13and how it is written,
21:14and how it is written,
21:16And, it's fun.
21:18And now, before we wrap,
21:20I think this question,
21:21I think everybody must have asked,
21:23but when are we going to see
21:24next version of Munda Bhai?
21:32So, honestly,
21:34Raju has been working on it.
21:35Okay,
21:36they have written 3-4 scripts,
21:40and they are all, I would say,
21:41around 60-70% complete.
21:44To be honest,
21:45meant in the head,
21:47they are 100% complete.
21:49It's the question of that 5-10%
21:51where you get stuck,
21:52and that is where the whole crux lies.
21:55If it's a crack,
21:57then I think it will make it.
21:58Sir,
21:58is it the correct answer?
21:59Absolutely correct answer.
22:00Okay, done.
22:01But,
22:02I want to know,
22:03sir,
22:04what films have come from now,
22:06there is a 99.9% strike rate.
22:11People expect more from directors like you,
22:14but why do they take so much?
22:17Like,
22:18you know,
22:18I don't want to do a comparison,
22:20but,
22:21as we see,
22:22many people direct a lot of films,
22:26but all of them are heads,
22:29but we see,
22:30like,
22:30we expect more,
22:31all of them are heads,
22:31but,
22:31all of them are heads,
22:33See,
22:34I just want to do something else.
22:36Because,
22:38if someone has written a script,
22:39which feels good,
22:40and I think I can do it,
22:41then I will do it first.
22:42But,
22:42it turns out that you don't have to write a script,
22:44and then you have to do it.
22:46So,
22:46we are writing ourselves,
22:47and it takes time to do it.
22:48But,
22:48if I get ready,
22:49and I think it's great,
22:50it will be great.
22:51It will be great.
22:52So,
22:52I will tell you,
22:52in fact,
22:52I will tell you,
22:54that,
22:54that,
22:55that,
22:56that,
22:56that,
22:56you can make it more.
22:59Thank you so much.
23:00Before we wrap up,
23:01what would you like to say to your fans and audience for this Preetham and Petro?
23:05Oh,
23:05I would say,
23:06please do watch it.
23:07It's coming to July 3.
23:09He is very loving and very good.
23:11I think it's a good job.
23:14Raju has taught me, so I don't have to think about it.
23:18Humor, emotion, message and entertainment.
23:23Please watch it.
23:24Thank you so much.
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