“With the state producers are in today, I definitely don't like producing” - Deepak 
By IndiaFM News Bureau, April 12, 2005 - 14:00 IST
Actor turned director Deepak Tijori has cut all ties from 'Conventional Bollywood' films. Making films on his terms and conditions, Deepak refuses to conform. After his controversial OOPS!, he is all set for his next release Khamosh - Khauff Ki Raat. In this exclusive chat with IndiaFM, he talks about making no compromises, delivering a never seen before Shilpa and the madness of wrapping a film in a month.
After quite a successful career in acting, what made you to go to the other side of the camera?
I personally was getting a bit bogged down with the kind of movies that I was being offered, I was not very happy with the roles. And then I was always inclined towards postproduction, editing, looking in the details of camera. So at the end of the day I felt that it would be the right thing for me to get into production. I started production about 5 years ago with television.
Looks like a sensible film, tell us what is Khamosh about?
Khamosh is a Murder mystery it's a psychological thriller. It's a film that plays with the mind of the viewer. It's a very character driven film; there are no hero heroines in the film, no romance. It's a whydunit, whodunit film, so lot of these things keep coming while you are watching the film.
When director- producers are banking on songs and audio sales for profits, how did you manage to take the risk of making a film with no songs?
It has only one song, which comes early in the first half; there are no songs after that.
I feel there are lots of films which do not require songs but we kind of push 4-5 songs in the film, but if the story doesn't require it then why do it.
Was Shilpa the first choice for the film, how was it working with her?
Absolutely, Shilpa was the first and the last choice fortunately. I have seen some of her previous work and I think she has a lot of potential, which has not been tapped. I went to her with this kind of character, of course she was taken aback. But I thought only she could do proper justice to the role, so we worked on the look and everything. She took every possible interest in all that we did, she was always there. The costumes, the character, the mannerisms, everything involved her active interest. Looking at the kind of work she has done, it gives me a feeling that it was so correct of me to give her the role.
What is more fun producing a film or directing it?
With the state that producers are in today, I definitely don't like producing (laughs). But yes direction is really wonderful I mean it's creating something from your perspective with so many people extending a helping hand - it's like a big family working on a project. And I like to work on projects, which are quick start to finish. So I as a filmmaker really enjoy the process of directing.
How difficult was it wrapping up the film in 35 days?
From the production point of view it was difficult. My production team had a lot of difficulties. The story is of one rainy night - we shot in the rainy season, despite of which we needed artificial for continuity. Luckily we had no mishaps on the sets. We had the filmcity tigers surrounding us on the sets in the night, so we had to get special lights that filtered outside so that they wouldn't come in the lit area. But then sometimes they were just there. I think the actors went through the toughest time, as the cold water was poured on them for each shot for continuity. But then it was fun as all that was at one stretch and we became like family as every evening to morning we were together.
Pick up a USP of this film?
The best part about the film is that it is not the kind of film that you would see again and again in our country. It does not have a particular hero who falls in love with a particular heroine and then springs up a villain. All that is not happening here it is not a story of a particular person; it's a story of characters. You would not have seen these actors in such roles. I am really lucky that Juhi also agreed to do a role; she is one of the very important pillars of the movie.
Both your films have a lot of newcomers - any specific reason?
In this movie I couldn't have done without new actors because one, I had a set, and then I am no J.P Dutta to have everybody at my back and call. According to the film I needed 10- 15 people any time of the night so these new actors gave me that kind of co-operation.
With such a huge cast how much justice you think has been done to each character?
Equally, its amazing and I am so happy that none of my actors today tell me that I did not do justice to their role. And since I have been an actor myself I was very clear with my actors about their role, I had given a bound script to each of them. They knew exactly what they were doing; they knew exactly how many scenes they had. All that I expected from them was that they add their inputs and bring out the character in the best possible way.
What's in the pipeline?
I have another film releasing in May called Fareb with Shilpa, Shamita and Manoj Bajpai. After which I am crossing fingers that I get more work as a director.
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