Ready for some Tamasha?

Nonika Singh

She is drop-dead gorgeous, right now the undisputed queen bee of Bollywood. He is as handsome as can be, often billed as the superstar of tomorrow. And together the hugely talented and good-looking Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor look so good together that fans swear by their sizzling onscreen chemistry. And can be forgiven for wanting the seemingly ‘made for each other’ pair to be together as a couple. While the duo don’t take offence at the discomfiting query nor do we get any straight answers. Ranbir says, “Let’s dodge the question” and Deepika pretends she hasn’t heard it.

However, a couple they may not be, a team they sure is. And holding it there is another member aboard this team, the star director Imitiaz Ali. In Panchkula at Holiday Inn they not only open up about their forthcoming film Tamasha, love, chemistry and more but also are only too eager to defend and pitch in for each other. So, apart from praising fulsome with “pure actor” and “pure director” epithets, Imtiaz goes on to call Ranbir “an actor of the purest material made for the highest level, who would not set his sights low.” Ranbir returns the compliment, “In an Imtiaz film everyone has the serious inspired attitude.”

Unlike the Jordan of Rockstar, he relates to his character of Ved in Tamasha very much and thinks audiences will find it relatable too. No wonder Deepika too identifies more with Ved’s journey in the film than her own character Tara’s. For she understands the axiom, “Follow your heart and passion and not live life for others.” It’s this same mantra that has made her what she is, of course, apart from the unwavering support of her parents who “could easily have pressurised me to be someone else.”

Interestingly, this is what the movie tells you to break out of the mould, of monotony and do what your heart tells you to. The film’s tagline ‘why always the same story’ is not a dig at the viewers nor is Imtiaz mocking at himself, only asking you to create your own story. As love stories in Indian cinema have come a long way from the “poor boy meets rich girl” variant, as Imtiaz who can take a bow for adding the refreshing twist to many a filmy love story, his idea of love too it seems has evolved. From the destructive streak of Rockstar to the constructive facet of love in Tamasha… love can be an inspirational force. Never mind that love is not a word Imtiaz uses, rather consciously avoids it. Master of love stories, how does he explain this dichotomy? He says, “The dichotomy is within me. I tend to discover the meaning of that word again and again. Different people attribute different qualities to that same word and it means different emotions to different people.”

So, what does it mean to his actors? Ranbir says, “Love keeps on changing, it has its highs and lows. Like a scientist continues to chase that molecule we as people are forever looking for that thing called love. I still have not reached a place where I can define it.” Deepika seconds him. “I can’t possibly top this.” But in a way Tamasha does. All of Imtiaz Ali’s films, in fact, take man-woman relationship to another level. Something you can break to create something new is the credo here in Tamasha that releases on November 27. As Imtiaz feels today’s generation is looking for meaning in a relationship, he adds not just meaning but layers and nuances to it. Will Tamasha hit the bull’s eye as his last three films have? Well, god forbid if it doesn’t he is adamant, “Don’t blame Ranbir for it. The director and director alone is responsible for his vision.” Did we not say they are a team ready to stick out for each other!

Character calling 

Ranbir is more comfortable playing a character than being himself a reason he wishes someone could invent a character for him during the taxing promotional spree too. But he would hate to play the same character over and over, “I would rather be dazed and confused than fit into a formula.” Deepika echoes similar thoughts, “I don’t want to be the first choice of a particular type of film. May be there was a time when one could say so and so is an action hero and so and so is a romantic hero. But with our generation it’s all about which actor can make that character special and bring more to the table.” And by the way man-woman relationship might be central to his storytelling Imtiaz Ali too would not like to be in a comfort zone.        

Official take 

Beyond the complexities of life and love, beyond the teasing ‘one holiday stand’ promo, Tamasha also has a smattering of gaalis. Of course, of the harmless kind that didn’t make the censor board see red. In times when one and all are venting out their venom at the ‘Sanskari’ censor board, surprisingly Imtiaz Ali has no quarrels with them.  Despite a snip here and there, he says, “They were pretty lenient with us.” The hullabaloo over growing intolerance too has him unfazed. “Aamir Khan must have said what he did emotionally and no I don’t think India is an intolerant nation. I am blessed to be here. But yes everyone has a right to say what they want to as long as its legal.” He reposes great faith in the Indian Constitution which he feels will not allow anyone to tamper with our basic democratic ethos.  

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