After the humongous success of Dream Girl (2019), Raaj Shaandilyaa is back with Janhit Mein Jaari. He has collaborated with Nushrratt Bharuccha once again. Janhit Mein Jaari co-starring Anud Singh Dhaka will release in theatres on June 10.
Ahead of Janhit Mein Jaari's release, PeepingMoon.com spoke to Raaj about writing and co-producing the film. Talking to us, he opened up about box office successes and failures, why it is important to pass on a message to the audience through cinema and reacted to comparisons between Janhit Mein Jaari and Rakul Preet Singh's Chhatriwali.
Excerpts from the interview:
Why Janhit Mein Jaari?
We are seeing a rise in population every single hour in India. This is a big problem and it can lead to issues like illiteracy, crime, poverty etc. As a filmmaker, I felt we should tell this story to start a conversation. Yes, I am aware that change won’t come with just our film but as a filmmaker, I wanted to tell this story.
Striking the right balance between humour and content can be a tough task. What were the measures taken to balance it?
As a writer and director, I want to entertain my audience and not bore them. Humesha kehte hai kadwi dawai ko meethe ke saath kha lo taki asar bhi ho aur muh swaad na bigde. Isi liye hum humour ka use kar rahe hai. I have been working as a writer for many years and now, it doesn't seem tough to me. Whenever you address a serious topic, you often find humour in it somewhere.
Janhit Mein Jaari comes right after the success of Dream Girl. People are bound to compare the box office results…
See, there is no set formula to success. If a film does Rs 100 or 200 crores but cannot give out a single message, it is not a success for me. I try to give out some messages through my writing. Success and failure don’t affect me.
People are preferring larger-than-life films on the big screen over mid-budget films. Did the thought of releasing Janhit Mein Jaari on the OTT come to you?
See, I believe films belong to the theatres. OTT is a very good platform but every filmmaker wants to release his/her film in theatres.
As a writer, what inspires you to write such stories?
I am inspired by our surroundings. When I worked on Dream Girl, I wanted to highlight how people are dealing with loneliness despite being in the middle of the crowd. Similarly, I have seen women facing problems during pregnancy for not using condoms. My stories are relatable because they are picked from society and our neighbourhood.
In a few months, Rakul Preet Singh’s Chhatriwali will release. Do you feel comparisons will be made?
Every story has its own destiny. The characters, story, treatment and narrative of Chhatriwali are very different and not similar to Janhit Mein Jaari. I hope the makers of Chhatriwali are about to reach out to a wider audience and start a conversation. That's what we are also hoping for with Janhit Mein Jaari. The world of Janhit Mein Jaari and Chhatriwali are the same but the films are not. I want filmmakers to make more such films to spread awareness.
When is Janhit Mein Jaari 2 starting?
As soon as Janhit Mein Jaari releases, I will announce the second part. I have started working on the script. It will be on a different topic.
.jpg)
Any plan for the OTT?
We have made a complete family entertainer for Voot which will come around July-August. It is titled The Great Weddings of Munne’s and stars Abhishek Banerjee. It revolves around a man who is getting married and to save that marriage, he has to marry several times.
You had hinted at Dream Girl 2, when it is happening?
Pata lagte hi bata dunga (laughs).
.jpg)
