For those who thought Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan had lost the plot and committed career suicide when he acted in the ridiculous and universally-panned comedy Humshakals, there’s hope. The real Indian prince (his ancestors ruled Pataudi, an erstwhile state near Delhi) is back to what he does best: playing a relatable-yet-goofy guy in romantic comedies.
Happy Ending, directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, is out this weekend.
“Humshakals was a wild experiment that didn’t go down well with me or with anyone. It’s not something I am proud of… But I am back now with an age-appropriate role that’s right up my street,” said Khan in an interview with tabloid!.
In Happy Ending, starring Illeana D’Cruz, Kalki Koechlin and Govinda along with cameo appearances from his impossibly glamorous wife Kareena Kapoor and Preity Zinta, Khan plays Yudi Jaitley, a US-based Indian novelist who’s commissioned by a fading Bollywood superstar (Govinda) to “write a Bollywood script in Hollywood style”.
“Yudi used to be successful but he hasn’t had a bestseller in a long time, so this is his last shot at success. There’s a vulnerability to my character that you will find endearing. He always tries to do the right thing despite issues such as not committing to women,” said Khan.
The film might seem shallow, but Khan claims that it’s complex and layered, a modern-day Dil Chahta Hai if you will. The 2001 blockbuster, a friendship saga starring Saif Ali Khan, Aamir Khan and Akshaye Khanna, revived Saif’s rising career and catapulted him as the go-to guy for sophisticated and suave roles in Bollywood films. It’s now a space that he has owned for over a decade. But recently, his questionable movie choices such as director Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Bullet Raja and his attempt at physical comedy in Humshakals, has put a dent on his bankability. So will this film reverse his fortune?
“The love story is treated realistically. There’s a whole scene about two lovers not talking to each other, with one hoping that the other will break the silence. Their conflicts are relevant and don’t seem contrived. Then there’s Preity Zinta playing my lovely ex-girlfriend. Even after their break-up, she is someone whom he will call if he lands in the hospital, then there’s my crazy ex-girlfriend played by Kalki. She’s a psycho and he’s trying to get a clean break from her… It’s a slice of life films about a bunch of imperfect people, lunatics even.”
Helping him build the chemistry is Barfi! star D’Cruz. We saw her last as the overly dramatic girlfriend in over-the-top romantic comedy Main Tera Hero starring Varun Dhawan. But in Happy Ending, she plays a writer of romantic novels. Her book Crazy Heart is being sold in LA and she’s on a book-signing session when she meets Yudi. While she takes her job of spinning syrupy romances seriously, she doesn’t believe a word of what she writes.
“It’s the kind of film that women will love watching. Unlike your typical Bollywood film, the girl isn’t overly sensitive or an emotional wreck. I don’t think I have a single scene in the film where I am emotional. It was liberating to play somebody independent and doesn’t really need a man to complete her,” said D’Cruz. Her character doesn’t believe in love or happily-ever-after endings either.
“She’s not cynical but she finds heartbreaks a waste of time and a self-inflicted torture. Her attitude is to have a good time, move on with your life and don’t get saddled under the weight of relationships.” But her life changes when she meets her match in flaky Yudi.
“Saif’s style of humour is dead-pan. He says things with a straight face and it comes off as funny… but it took me a little while to get into the zone. I was coming into the sets after acting in an in-your-face commercial film such as Main Tera Hero. It required ’90’s style over-the-top acting. So in the beginning I approached the role in a similar manner. But Saif gave me tips… like don’t scrunch up my face so much. He was insightful,” said D’Cruz.
As a part of warming up to each other, Khan said he and D’Cruz did the most apt homework.
“We went out for dinners and got to know each other quite well. And that reflects on screen. She has been over to our home many times and got along well with Kareena as well,” said Khan.
If their chemistry doesn’t work for you, then perhaps the self-deprecating humour — which is so rare in Hindi films, as heroes are revered objects — may win you over.
“The film doesn’t take itself too seriously… Saif is playing someone closer to his age, Govinda is playing a role close to home and we make fun of all that takes place. On the outside, it’s a sweet romantic film with an added layer of self-awareness and self-deprecation,” said Nidimoru, one of the directors. His last venture was the Bollywood genre-bending zombie film Go Goa Gone along with director Krishna DK.
“With Go Goa Gone, it was a new concept. But when you are taking on a romantic comedy, you know it’s a fairly exploited genre and there are many limitations that come with it. So what we did is embrace the format and formula of a mainstream romantic comedy and infuse some freshness into it. We wanted to have some fun with the existing rules,” said Nidimoru.
And who better than Khan, the son of late cricketer Pataudi and legendary actress Sharmila Tagore, to poke some fun at himself. The trailers show the 44-year-old actor taking a swipe at himself being in denial about his age.
“I enjoyed it… I have never taken myself too seriously. I didn’t grow up in an environment where you had to take yourself seriously. In fact, being self-deprecating was appreciated where I grew up. My father was always encouraging of that,” said Khan.
While Khan is happily married to actress Kapoor, he believes that the phrase Happy Ending is an oxymoron.
“It’s a cinematic term. But isn’t it a misnomer because how can the end be happy if it denotes it’s over. Personally, I think happiness is a state of mind. Happy ending is that phase where you are at peace with yourself.” His advice to all the lovers out there?
“Be free to go behind that elusive sentiment but I don’t think you should look for everything in your partner. Don’t expect too much or criticise them incessantly. Learn to let go and let a few things slide. That’s definitely a step towards happiness,” said Khan.
Quote Unquote:
“I can’t compare Happy Ending to any film, but it’s in the same space as Friends With Benefits,” said Illeana D’Cruz.
“Fifty Shades Of Grey is the most overrated novel,” said D’Cruz. She was into romantic novels at 16, but gave them up a long time ago. However, she was recently disappointed by this controversial erotic book. She didn’t get past the first novel in the series.
Don’t Miss Out
Happy Ending releases in cinemas near you this Thursday.
