I've always been a fan of Marilyn Monroe's and Elizabeth Taylor you know those the retro vintage films
It's come from the Bhat camp and it is inspired by real life incidents
I love
It is from the 70s
For me to play Amna, its real inspiration was Parveen Babi
and Zeenat Aman so I think yeah both of them
What it was in 70s like all these drama films from Bollywood because of a villain don't you
guys think that the villain actually brought out a lot in those films? Oh yes
My hair was it used to have a separate name on the call sheet it used be Tahir, 9 o’clock.
Tahir, hair, 7:35 because it used to take one and a half hours to get it done, I used to wear like
hair extensions to get it to look the way it did
Hi guys, I’m Nayanika, welcome to Pinkvilla,
Hi. Hi. Hi, Nayanika
It's so good to you know have you guys with me here today and we are going to talk about
Ranjish Hi Sahi. We've been waiting for that show for very long and the trailer looks very,
very promising honestly
Thank you. Thank you very much
So, these ladies were discussing just now that the show was
shot three years ago right so what took the delay in you know putting it out?
You know a lot a lot of people don't realise you think that it's because of the pandemic that
only shoots stop but it does affect post-production as well when offices and studios shut
down your editing, your music all of it takes time and this was a complex show to put
together because when you're dealing with a period drama there are a lot of elements that go
into it and we're just really excited that it's finally out
Of course, it's a movie, it's a show from Mahesh Bhatt’s camp so there is somewhat that
level that's idea that’s already said that you know certain drama and the inspiration that
people are talking about that it's come from that particular incident of the 70s is it like?
I think it's important because a lot of these who are you playing questions were thrown at me
that this is not a biopic. I am not playing Mahesh Bhatt because if I was then my look and my
entire wardrobe and costume would be like him but you're right it's come from the Bhat camp
and it is inspired by real life incidents if I had to divide it up, I would say it's a 50 inspiration
and 50 is a work of fiction so it's a fiction inspired by true incidents
And for sure you guys fit in completely in the characters I mean the looks the hair brings
back all that you know the drama vibe, brings back all the nostalgia of 70s
How is it for you guys on set?
It was really nice I think for Amala, it's more of you know the 70s glam that she was in those
looks with those headbands and I loved that that poster look of hers and the song and for me
most of it was shot I’m in the house you know but there were a few scenes where when I got
out and I’m going to office and I absolutely loved wearing those sarees very simple and the
blouses and those 70s style I love that whole look and I haven't really got to wear sari in
any of the web series that I’ve done so it's a new look for me and it was exciting
Amrita, we've mostly seen you in a lot of glamorous roles like you said saree you haven't
worn much so how is it you know playing this kind of a simple yet challenging role this time?
So, the thing is that I do get a lot of these simple kind of you know girl next door things I
don't think I’ve really gone full glamour with anything so this was still in that space where it
was minimal makeup and very simple but in terms of content it was very, it's definitely one
of the most challenging roles that I have played in my career so far in you know there were
no like chilled out you know that you say oh today's a chill day. I had no chill days
That's it's so well put because I felt that through the series you know you look forward to hey,
today is going to be a nice light scene, I don't think this series was like that like every day
was a psychological challenge not only for the part but also to yourself because it was also
very long schedule. We were shooting back-to-back and it was short over three months and it
was a challenge no matter how much you do it as an actor you want to not carry that emotion
back home with you but very often on this set, I found myself like going back home with a
slight like lump in my throat and sort of not in my heart because of the kind of scenes that we had done
I carried it throughout the pandemic.
Oh, wow that's a heavy thing to carry
And I think even though there were light scenes our director Pushpdeep
A lot of the credit has to go to him though this is his debut on the OTT space. He's a very
young director and it was a great contrast because Bhatt saab comes with so much experience
and he's an institution and Pushpdeep came with like new age ideas of technology and how to
make it engaging for a young OTT audience and a lot of the
look and feel of the show is because of Pushpdeep's ideas
Yeah right, he's paid me a lot to say this, guys
I think you deserve it yeah
So, the idea itself is so fancy and so nice and you know it's going to be bringing a lot of
nostalgia to the audience so I want to ask each of you how was your take when you saw the
script and what went into your head you know while reading it while saying yes to the story, on the sets?
So more than the script it was Pushpdeep's narration that brought the whole story to life and I
was like he's so passionate you know it made you want to be a part of it.
First time I’m hearing that he did it with all three of us then what would he be able to do for
the film on set and really, it's that passion that made me take the decision
Yeah for me also one of the most pulling factor towards the story was Pushpdeep I remember
I mean like in the trailer that I tell Tahir you know story is okay but I’ve never seen you
know it was that moment for me like story was great and there was so much fire the way in
which Pushpdeep was narrating the story and the character it's like a dream role for any you
know actor to play such a role and I’ve always been a fan of Marilyn Monroe’s and Elizabeth
Taylor you know those the retro vintage films and to I think only in films you get to play you
can travel back into that era and you can play those roles
Coming back to you Tahir you have been praised a lot on the big screen and now we know
you have a lot of OTT releases lined up so how does it feel for
you? You know 2022 is going to be a great year?
Yeah, absolutely I couldn't have asked for a better opening I’m calling it like a bumper
festival opening to 2022. I have never although I’ve been a part of a lot of features, I have
never been part of a romantic drama genre before I’ve always played these sorts of larger-
than-life characters but never opposite a co-actress and it's great for me that 2022 is opening
with not one but two romances with Amala and Amrita and you know in Hindi they say
And that's really what has happened and so it's super and yes, you're right besides Ranjish
there are two other projects coincidentally also romantic dramas and it's just and you know it
seems like it's all coming back-to-back but the situation is the same as with Ranjish I’ve been
shooting these projects for the past two years, there have been delays on all of the projects
because of the pandemic and now the timing is such that
they're all coming together which for an artist is amazing
Alright so that was a lot about Ranjish Hi Sahi. Now we want
to quickly jump into a nice 70s quiz. We'll call it the 70s Bollywood quiz.
I am born in the 90s I had to research so much you know asking really
I just assumed you're 65.
If you guys give the right answers, the wrong answers I surely would not be able to verify so
Alright. Okay so I’ll ask some questions and I would expect
one by one you guys to answer so what is your dream seventies character and why?
For me it would be like a 70s gangster just a purely because I love the fashion of that
time and just the idea of wearing like big sunglasses and like a white safari suit
would be really cool but he would also have to have an aspect of Bollywood and romance in
him so a 70s romantic gangster would be my answer
Those bell bottom pants and yeah exactly that flimsy hair
What about you, Amrita?
I think I really enjoyed watching everything that Jaya Bachchan did in a in a certain period so
I would love to do that I don't know when Shoaly released but
I would love to have played Basanti you know
I don't think Shoaly is a 70s release, is it?
We'll take it
Amala, what about you?
I would stick to playing a diva
Like you are. You've got like I mean the best in the 70s so yes. I'm addicted to that
yeah, I loved playing a diva like a superstar so I think I
would like to try it a couple of more times so I’ll stick to that
Okay anybody you look up to? Any particular actress?
A lot of them I think for me for to play Aamna, its real inspiration
was Parveen Babi and Zeenat Aman so yeah, I think yeah both of them
Right awesome.
Okay your dream 70s crush?
Sorry, I just I’d like to add Smita Patil I loved her in Mirch Masala I don't know when that
was released though but I remember seeing that as a
reference once to one of the projects I was doing and I was completely you know
Yeah, she's a fabulous actress
Right. So next question is your dream 70s crush and why or maybe a character?
I would say it purely because of his style and it's not a crush that's an admirer like someone
I would look up to at the time was Dev Anand because he just was such a big trendsetter
Absolutely what about the ladies?
Yeah, Dev Anand. I love I watched a Guide and I remember like I loved him yeah
that was the first time I saw him and yeah
Okay this is when you can tell it's been three years since the show was shot. Yeah.
Okay any favourite song from the 70s or 80s as much as you guys can remember?
I don't know timelines but I love
It is from the 70s actually
Oh yeah, yeah but I got that even from the tune I understood yeah.
Yeah, okay which villain would you like to kill from the 70s if you know go back in a timeline?
That Robert guy who kept saying Robert, Robert, you know what I’m talking about. He'd be like
That's a great answer we wouldn't want to kill anyone we would want them to evolve and go into loving people
She said I’m about peace.
Our hippie at heart.
Wasn't 70s what it was like all these drama films from Bollywood because of a villain don't
you guys think that the villain actually brought out a lot in those films?
Oh yes for sure. I mean they were so when we look at them now, we feel like they were like a
little over the top but back in the day like they were legends like they were by only 70s I
think right through the 80s as well and early 90s like Mugambo, Gabbar they were iconic all of them
Alright okay so let's quickly wrap up the interview and I would like to ask you guys about
your hair so Amala and Tahir we've seen like fancy hairstyles
and everything happening in this show how was your experience with that?
Yeah, for me it was crazy, my hair, it used to have a separate name on the call sheet it
used be Tahir, 9’o’clock. Tahir, hair, 7:35 because it used to take one and a half hours to get
it done, I used to wear like hair extensions to get it to look the way it did but it was also so
critical because it's so definitive of that period and it makes such a difference just simple
hairstyle. I also had to gain a little weight for the part because I was playing a slightly older and
Pushpdeep was very clear he wanted him to look, have a certain walk and feel to it and
both of those put together I remember when I used to look in the mirror, I used to feel like I
was looking at Shankar and I think as an actor that's a really good thing.
Absolutely, absolutely.
So, for me I got the bangs done at that time you know that it was that style right like that hair
short bangs till your jawline and I still have it I think I got carried with me and
yeah, the makeup was really glamorous and the costumes were really glamorous I remember
we had a look test photo shoot and I’m like oh my god this is like living my dream. And it
was so easy I just had to get into my look, my costumes and my hair and makeup and there
Aamna Parvez was there so it really, really helped with the
performance and the character. Yeah, it was like a dream come true.
Awesome. How about you, Amrita?
I wasn't even allowed to wear liner most of the time so there was nothing much happening at
my end because I was pretty much at home. There were
extensions but that's about it for hair length
Alright but all in all the appearances look fancy, the costumes look amazing and I think
acting is the one which is the cherry on top all of you have done some wonderful work and
we're so excited for Ranjish Hi Sahi
Thank you so much
Thank you, bye bye