Despite starting his career as a film critic, when it comes to other people judging his film-making capabilities, first-time solo producer Kunal Kohli admits he is indeed a very nervous man. Even after having several successful films like Hum Tum and Fanaa in his kitty, Kohli tells IBNLive with a hearty laugh, “Even a doctor can’t operate on himself. It is the same tension and anxiety that has grappled me.”
Kohli who is producing the Deepika Padukone-Imran Khan starrer Break Ke Baad that is all set to release this Friday admits that there are butterflies fluttering in his stomach. He points out, “Even if you have been a critic, you never know how your film will shape up. Even if it is my 10th or 15th film, I will always be tensed.”
Director turned producer Kohli is glad that this Friday, there will be no other big banner film to eat into his share of the audience. In his quick-witted style, he exclaims, “If this interview hadn’t been on the telephone, you would have seen me break into a very big smile.” Very candidly, he adds that it was a part of the strategising by his team to finalise on a safe release date. He explains, “Yes, it was very much a part of our strategising. My team and I took a careful look at which film was releasing before and after us and went ahead with this Friday.”
Kohli who directed his first film under the Yash Raj banner is glad that this time around he placed the director’s hat on debutant Danish Aslam’s head. He gets nostalgic while explaining the reason behind signing Danish, “Several years ago, someone chose to give me a chance to direct my own film. Now it is my turn to give someone else the same. There is no point in being holier than thou.”
Talking about whether there were misgivings in letting a debut director handle his film, Kohli replies, “Danish has his own style. When I started off as a director, people had fears about me. But I managed to make my niche in the industry. I wish to create the same environment for people to grow in.”
After having made Break Ke Baad that mirrors complex human relationships in evolving times, how does the film-maker personally fare when it comes to this tussle between the modern and the traditional? Kohli gets serious as he replies, “No one can afford to get complacent or sit back and think everything is set.”
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