The director shares a special bond with Kangana Ranaut. She says not being judgemental helps her forge such relationships and also create timeless storiesUp close & personal with Ashwiny
Director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari has already proved her talent with films like Nil Battey Sannata and Bareilly Ki Barfi. Now she is all set for her next release titled Panga starring none other than Kangana Ranaut. The film also stars Jassie Gill and Neena Gupta. Ashwiny speaks to Tribune Lifestyle about her passion for work, being a mom to twins and more. Read on:
For Panga, was Kangana always your first choice?
Yes. She was the first choice. I remember having sent Kangana a formal message mentioning my work details and asking if she has seen my work or not. She immediately called me up and told me that she knew me. Then we met and Kangana said yes immediately after the story narration. She felt Panga is an important story to say.
How was it working with Kangana?
Every relationship forms out of destiny and I feel I am no one to judge her. There is a whole lot of humanity in Kangana and no one has seen that in her. She loves her family a lot and is a very caring person. We have told each other one very important thing that we will never lose trust in each other. I am also a very secure director and I am glad that a superstar and talented actress like her agreed to do my film. Today we have become best of friends and our relationship is more than our film now. I have and will always stand for her.
Kangana is known for her temper and mood swings. Did you face that?
We all have mood swings; we all have bad and good days. As a film crew, we shoot like an army during our schedule. Whenever I had my mood swings, my assistant director would never come close. We all have our own methods to tame our tempers. And actors have to be in their characters all the time in front of the camera, so they can’t look sad. Because she is a superstar and has an aura around her, she has to maintain her composure even more. But at the end of the day she is a human being, we all need to understand that.
As a director how open are you to creative inputs from others?
My assistant director, director of photography…everyone gives me creative inputs. Kangana must have given couple of her inputs while shooting and she hardly came on monitor to see her own performance. The only time she was on monitor was when we were shooting the kabaddi sequence. Multiple creative inputs add a lot of value to the film.
Apparently, Pankaj Tripathi was supposed to do an important character in Panga but that did not happen. What was the reason?
Pankaj Tripathi is very close to me. Whenever I want him I just need to tell Bhabiji (his wife). Pankaj ji has taken a lot of work in films last year, so there was no time left for us. I am sure we will do a film in the near future, in fact he only recommended Rajesh Telang for the role that he was supposed to do.
Why have you chosen kabaddi over other games?
The basic idea came from Fox Star Studio. There has been no such film made on kabaddi. This is one sport that requires physical stamina and power. I guess all of us have played kabaddi in our school life and today’s generation are only aware of basketball, rugby and similar games. They will all get to know that during Ganpati festivals women in saree also played kabaddi. And Panga is a slice of life film, which happens to be a sports drama.
Your children are also growing up now. What do they feel about your films?
My kids like seeing me as a director. One day, I remember, during the third schedule of Panga, I was very tired and just sitting quietly at home. My son came to me and said take care of your health and make films even when you are 100 years old. I told him I don’t know whether I will be alive or not. Then he told me something very nice, ‘Mom your films will be alive for hundred years’.
Your way of film making is different. What’s your inspiration?
My idea of filmmaking comes from within. I don’t watch too many films and I have a life away from films as well. I still live in Chembur, which is quite far from the film industry. I read a lot and I love observing people and absorb a lot. I love travelling and like to document stuff as well. My social media handle is all about that. I don’t judge people and maybe that’s the reason Kangana and I got along so well.
Your next film is based on Narayan and Sudha Murthy’s life. Please elaborate.
The way they have led their life with honesty and integrity is my biggest inspiration. I am filled with humble gratitude to make Murthy. I am producing it as well. They have trusted me with their iconic story and I pray that I meet their expectations.
