The Prestige Suite of Sofitel, Mumbai was the centre of all action one autumn afternoon. The ménage à trois of Ali Fazal, Sapna Pabbi and Gurmeet Choudhary were steaming up the scene with their passion. Lust was in the air and boy, did our glasses get fogged! The svelte Sapna, her sway complete over the men, was dripping sensuality. Gurmeet, on the other hand, made all the girls swoon with his chiselled body. His bare torso was the cynosure of all eyes. While the suave Ali has already created a niche for himself with movies like 3 Idiots, Fukrey and Bobby Jasoos, Gurmeet and Sapna are the latest imports from the television world. If their chemistry during the photo shoot is any indication, then it’s a certainty that their intimate vibe will singe the big screen in their upcoming film, Khamoshiyan. Excerpts from a freewheeling conversation…
Jittery, edgy or happy… What’s your state of mind now that the film is just a few days away from release?
Ali: I’m feeling great actually. It all happened so soon. But the film was planned well. We had two quick schedules. We have in fact preponed the release of the film. We were to come out in May but we are ready before.
Sapna: I’m just waiting for the film to release. I’m a little nervous. It’s all new for me. I’m learning a lot. At the same time, I’m enjoying it too.
Gurmeet: I’m excited. This is my foray into films after doing television for seven years. Fox Star Studios and Vishesh Films are associated with the film. I couldn’t have got a better launch.
Why did you choose this film for your debut?
A: (Laughs) I feel very old now
that you are talking to them about their debuts.
G: (Laughs) He’s the bhaiya.
A: Actually, I was like a newbie in the film. I was looking for tips. Gurmeet was training me. Sapna would give me tips on fashion. Mukesh Bhatt, Mahesh Bhatt, Vikram Bhatt and Vishesh Bhatt were always there. It was like a family affair. They were on the set everyday to guide us.
G: I had started getting a lot of offers since my first show was aired on TV. But I was sure that my debut had to be with a good banner. I wanted a good unit and wanted to enjoy the experience of shooting. So the Bhatts were perfect.
S: For a girl, this is the best debut she can dream of. The role has different shades. This film is my most special gift.
More and more television actors are now getting into films…
A: It’s a great switch to make. I’ve seen so many people spending years in acting schools and not getting much in return. I’m not saying they are bad. In fact, I’m jealous that I couldn’t attend one. But television is the best training ground for actors. You are fully prepared. You know how to move ahead in life. Gurmeet will agree.
G: Ali and I have discussed a lot about this. Television actors are like horses. They work hard – even for 12 hours a day. We have to complete 12-15 scenes in a day. You have to dance, do action… one after the other. If you have big screen aspirations, then TV is your best grooming school.
S: I guess, you work in the same way. You put 100 per cent in both the mediums. My TV show 24 was like a film shoot. The production values and technique were like that of a film. So for me I didn’t see much of a difference between television and films.
What are the best memories you have of the film’s shoot?
A: Shooting the film was intense given its content, so we all kept playing pranks on each other to keep the atmosphere light.
S: We were shooting the song Khamoshiyan on the mountains. And we were losing light. So we ran to the site. The entire crew with equipments and cameras walked fast for about two kilometers. We climbed hills to reach the desired location before sunset. We got the shot. That was quite a crazy experience.
G: I remember we were shooting in Cape Town. There’s a shot where I’m passing through a jungle. It was minus one degree Celsius. I told Vikram Bhatt and director Karan Darra that I wanted to give a bare body shot. They thought I had gone mad. I told them that on television too I have gone bare bodied. So here, I wanted to go shirtless too. They advised me against it. Finally, I convinced them after much persuasion. The first time was tough. The cold was killing me. But there was a certain madness that got over me during that shot.
What’s your obsession about going shirtless all the time?
G: If I’ve worked on a good body and abs, then I’ve got to flaunt it na.
A: I don’t have any such ‘abs’pirations for the moment. However, now I am under Gurmeet’s wings. Soon, I’ll get there. (Laughs) While he’s given those bare body shots, I didn’t have anything to show.
Sapna, you play a sultry woman who has both the boys charmed. How does it feel to have control over two boys?
S: Good. But it could be better.
A: You mean the boys could be better?
S: (Winks) You take it the way you want to.
The film has a supernatural twist. Do you believe in spirits?
A: I believe there are spirits. I haven’t had any experience but my faith in God makes me believe there can be spirits also.
S: I believe in ghosts, monsters under the bed, etc. I actually talk to them.
G: As Ali said, if there’s God, there has to be evil.
How do supernatural films get so sexy? Is it an audience fetish to associate sensuality and the supernatural?
A: I believe that’s a great way to get people into the theatres. Khamoshiyan has sex and horror it but it goes much beyond than that.
S: The fetish for this genre is increasing.
G: Since we were kids we have watched such movies.
A: (Laughs) Get scared while...
I am sure you can guess what I mean!
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