Yaariyan: Divya Khosla on her directorial debut

Divya Khosla Kumar is all excited about her directorial debut Yaariyan releasing in the UAE.

It’s a dream that goes back to the days when, as an eighteen year-old, she dreamt of becoming a film-maker. From modelling to acting in a Bollywood film, Ab Tumhaare Hawale Watan Saathiyon, and eventually donning a director’s hat, it has been a long journey over nine years.

Taking time off from her promotional tours, the young and pretty director talks to tabloid! on the making of Yaariyan and more.

What is Yaariyan about?

My film pays a tribute to the best years of one’s life. It is the story of five friends in a college and about their youthful phase when friends mean everything, even more than one’s parent’s too.

Naturally it explores their relationships and their bonding, complete with strong emotions, masti and their pranks. Yaariyan, also has an element of patriotism and a subtle message.

Where did the spark of the story come from?

When I decided to direct a film, I thought a film on the youth would be a great idea. I could pack in every Bollywood ingredient into this story, be it action, romance, masti and more. However, Yaariyan is not mere candy floss; it has a soul and a message. We have tried making the film in a real way. It is a feel good entertainer.

Tell us about the cast?

I wanted new faces for my five different characters. It took me a year and a half to cast actors. Playing five friends are Himansh Kohli, Rakul Preet, Nicole Faria, Shreyas Pardiwalla and Dev Sharma. We had a training workshop in Mumbai for six months. Himansh plays a flirtatious young man. He has undergone a real makeover, from looking boyish to a real man. Rakul is paired opposite him. She plays a small town girl, vulnerable and innocent. Nicole Faris is Jiya, a college hottie and Shreyas is the group clown. Looking at the final product, they all look like seasoned players on screen.

Besides, there is Gulshan Grover in the role of a college Principal. He is a cool guy who considers his students as his friends. Deepti Naval is the hostel warden and brings in the emotional connect in the film. Although a tough disciplinarian, she is looked up to as a motherly figure by the students.

What about hurdles on your debut?

I think making a film is the most difficult of all jobs. At every step on the way, there were road blocks. My pre-production work was done in great detailing and that helped. By God’s grace I was able to cross over them.

Juggling between my family and work was not easy. My son, Ruhaan was one-and-a-half years old during filming. He was with me on the sets. And, before learning to say ‘mama’ and ‘papa’ he learnt to say ‘action’ and ‘cut.’

How supportive is your family?

My parents are not from the industry, so when I wanted to leave home in Delhi to come down to Mumbai, they were initially reluctant. But my persistence paid and they supported my decision.

My husband Bhushan is a great support. Post marriage, he encouraged me to learn about cinematography and editing.

However, winning his confidence was not easy. He took time to believe in my abilities and only after he was satisfied with my music videos did he undertake to produce Yaariyan.

*Yaariyan releases in the UAE on January 9.