Don flying to Dubai

Producer Ritesh Sidhwani is kicked about the idea of getting the ‘bad guy’ to the city

Ritesh Sidhwani

Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar had teamed up over 10 years ago to make a classic called ‘Dil Chahta Hai’. Ever since his friendship and partnership with the actor as well as his production company has grown to unimaginable heights. This year has been particularly lucky for Excel Productions. They began with ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’, which was a huge hit and now they plan to end the year with a bang with the much-awaited ‘Don 2’. While in Dubai to promote his film during the ongoing Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), Ritesh tells masala.com why he will continue to make films he believes in, whatever be the budget or scale!

There is a lot of anticipation and interest about ‘Don 2’. The biggest challenge will be to make it different from the first part. How will you accomplish this?
It is quite challenging because the character of Don has become very iconic. What makes ‘Don 2’ very interesting is that probably for the first time, you have a sequel based on an anti-hero. Moreover, all the characters from the first part play themselves. So you have Roma (Priyanka Chopra) who has a strong motive to kill Don, there is Boman Irani who was caught and jailed in the previous part and you also have Om Puri who is on Don’s trail. The only two new characters are Lara Dutta who plays the moll and Kunal Kapoor. This is an edge-of-the seat entertainer and you find a lot action revolving around the lead character.

'Don' has gone international with the action being set in Berlin this time. Have you ever thought of making the bad guy travel to Dubai?
Yes, why not (laughs). Maybe we can have him fight his battles here in the next part. So Dubai, better watch out!

When a sequel is made, it is expected to be bigger, better and more glamourous. How does that affect the filmmaking process?
As a producer, I don’t get affected by the scale. It’s not the budget or scale that’s important but the storyline. I am as comfortable making small, intimate films like ‘Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd’ or ‘Luck By Chance’ as I am making a ‘Don 2’. What I see is the script and how much it excites me and if identify with the character. I have to be convinced about it or else how will I convince the audience?

This year has been very important for Excel Entertainment. Did the success of ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ surprise you?
Oh yes! We were confident about ‘Zindagi…’ but the way it has appealed to people across generations and cities, has come as a pleasant surprise. All over, the audiences identified with the characters in the film. I have heard of people going on road trips after the movie released, it definitely struck a chord somewhere.

What about the accusation that the film was a bit too ‘elitist’?
I think the way people have responded to the movie itself is an answer to that question. It’s not about being able to go to Spain. The film is about leading your own life and enjoying the small pleasures. You need not go to expensive destinations, you can go to smaller cities and towns to get away from stresses and discover yourself. That’s the message that has appealed to people.