Chaubey: Ishqiya not made with a sequel in mind

Mumbai: At a time when sequels are trending in a big way in the film industry, ‘Dedh Ishqiya’ director Abhishek Chaubey says he didn’t plan ‘Ishqiya’ part two to cash in on the commercial viability of the original.

Released in 2010, black comedy ‘Ishqiya’ was high on content and performances by lead actors Naseruddin Shah, Arshad Warsi and Vidya Balan, who surprised everyone in the role of a conniving, scheming woman.

Now, Chaubey is making its sequel ‘Dedh Ishqiya’ with Madhuri Dixit in the female lead.

“I never made this film thinking that I should make a sequel. Even though it makes marketing or commercial sense, I would never make a sequel just because of this,” Chaubey said.

“I am making the film only because it is a good story, it gives me something as a writer to do and it is entertaining, fun at the same time,” added the director who made his debut with ‘Ishqiya’.

‘Dedh Ishqiya’ will see Dixit on the big screen after six years. Her last film was ‘Aaja Nachle’, a 2007 release that bombed at the box office.

The director said he never felt as though the 45-year-old actress, known for films such as ‘Tezaab’, ‘Dil To Paagal Hai’ and ‘Devdas’, was making her comeback into the film industry after a gap. “She is a supremely talented performer. It was like she never left. She immediately got the tone and the mode of the character.”

Ishqiya helped change Balan’s image. But the director said this was not the intention and he doesn’t have any such plans for Dixit either.

“I didn’t intend to change Vidya’s image. If it has changed for the better, that is good. I am too small to change anyone’s image through my film. It was their talent.

“Madhuri doesn’t need to change her career. Our motive was to make a good film with her. It has been a pure joy to work with her,” he added.

Huma Qureshi also features in the movie.