Eeshwar Nivas: Total Siyapaa is not preachy

Director Eeshwar Nivas feels his Total Siyapaa is a “journey with a beautiful message.”

“But our aim is not to preach,” he told tabloid! on Thursday. “We just want people to come in with family and friends and enjoy the fun characters”.

Nivas, who won the National Award for directing Ram Gopal Varma’s Shool in 1999, is in Dubai on holiday. He said that he was approached by Total Siyapaa screenplay writer Neeraj Pandey of A Wednesday and Special 26 fame last year for the film.

“I was on sabbatical and Neeraj called me for another story but narrated this concept. I felt it had potential. An India-Pakistan relationship story is always interesting and dramatic. What I liked most was that it was dealt with light-heartedly. We decided not to make it heavy and so based it in London where such families actually exist. There, nationalities are not a conflict. It’s just a mental block.

“The whole journey of a quiet and peaceful Pakistani boy coming together with a boisterous Punjabi family carries a beautiful message: who are we to judge between lovers, friends or nationalities? Just live and let live.”

Nivas also feels Pakistani actor Zafar Ali was really good for the role.

“Yami [Gautam, the lead actress] was already on board. I feel Zafar brings a lot into the character. He plays a Pakistani boy so it’s an inherent connect and we didn’t have to explain the character to him. And I’m glad he really liked the role.”

Total Siyapaa is showing in the UAE.