Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana claims his latest film Hawaaizaada is the first unconventional film to be rolled out in 2015.
“It’s about Shivkar Talpade, the Indian scholar who’s believed to have invented the world’s first unmanned aircraft in 1895. It’s based on a conspiracy theory that Shivkar Talpade invented the aircraft first but due to some reason it wasn’t patented,” said Khurrana in an interview with tabloid!.
“Perhaps, it was because India was ruled by the British or because Indians were subservient towards them. Agreed, it’s a conspiracy theory but that was fodder enough for a filmmaker to make a film about Shivkar Talpade,” said Khurrana.
In his role as an eccentric genius living in 19th century Mumbai, the 30-year-old actor is seen with a mop of curls, round glasses and a burning desire to make good his invention.
Khurrana set aside a year and a half for this film and was game for dozens of look tests. In the trailers, he looks like a grown-up version of Harry Potter (“it must be the round glasses”).
“We dwell in the era of being unconventional. Even in 2014, the three big hits were these unconventional films: Haider, PK and Queen… I started my Bollywood career with unconventional film such as Vicky Donor. Clearly, in my case, unconventional works,” said Khurrana, adding that the audiences have become more demanding and are expecting something novel and “out-of-the-box” with each film.
Directed by Vibhu Puri, the team of Hawaaizaada spent time with Talpade’s extended family in South Mumbai to get it right.
“There’s not lots written about Shivkar Talpade… Not many know about him but I have a strong feeling that his achievements will be acknowledged after 130 years. Truth be told, I did not know about him and I had to look him up.”
But will this film be an attempt to stoke national pride? The trailers show Khurrana’s character fiercely shouting the Vande Mataram slogan.
“Let’s face it: a little bit of nationalism is important because we as Indians don’t often take our national heroes seriously. We do not acknowledge or validate their achievements sometimes. But the film is inherently about Shivkar and his invention.”
While its makers have tried their best to bring to life the trials and triumphs of Talpade, they have taken creative liberties too.
“It’s a mix of realism and fantasy. We have created this beautiful world based on real events… For this role I had to brush up my Marathi well. I have been in Mumbai for seven odd years and I understand the language well. But once I signed on [to] this project, I asked my core staff — who speak Marathi — to speak to me in their language. It was a healthy exercise,” said Khurrana.
According to the actor, who has only three films under his belt, this role was a departure from his usual “North Indian guy” roles. After the underwhelming box-office performance of Bewakoofiyaan in which he played a recession-struck marketing professional, all eyes are on Khurrana. So, does he feel the heat?
“I am a very lazy person and I don’t take a lot of pressures in life. I am a content person and am busy doing concerts, performances and events around the year … Technically I have only given one unsuccessful film, Bewakoofiyaan. But this industry is fickle and I understand that because I have been an anchor and a media person before. I have seen the industry from outside and I feel every Friday the perception of a star changes. I have given my heart and soul for this film but I don’t know what the results will be but I hope the people will love the film.”
Don’t miss it
Hawaaizaada releases in the UAE cinemas on Thursday.
Who’s Shivkar Talpade?
Shivkar Bapuji Talpade was born in 1864 in Dukkarwadi locality in Mumbai. He was a Sanskrit scholar who was attracted to Vaimanika Sastra (aeronautical science) expounded by the great Indian sage Maharishi Bhardwaja from a young age. Talpade is supposed to have constructed the world’s first Marutsakh (aircraft).
