Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj, who has reunited with Shahid Kapoor for his upcoming film O'Romeo, on Wednesday at the trailer launch of the film said that the latter “understands his passive aggression” and added that his partnership with the actor is similar to the creative bond shared by legendary music composer duos Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Kalyanji-Anandji.
The upcoming film marks the fourth collaboration for Shahid and Vishal after having previously worked on Kaminey (2009), Haider (2014) and Rangoon (2017).
Vishal said Shaid is one of the finest actors in his generation and added that he has inherited the depth from his actor parents, Pankaj Kapur and Neelima Azeem.
"Shahid understands my passive-aggression, and that I'm a very difficult man to work with. We complement each other,” he said.
"We also have many fights and those fights are played up in the media more. We've formed a bond between us like Laxmikant-Pyarelal, like Kalyanji-Anandji," the director added.
Vishal said while audiences clearly feel a special chemistry in his collaborations with Shahid, he himself doesn't know why it works so well.
"I still don't understand the reason why this magic is created. Just like wind is not visible to us but it is there, this magic that is created in our work, I don't know why and how it happens," he said.
Shahid said working with Vishal is like going on an "adventurous and crazy" journey.
"When I got to work with Vishal sir for the first time, I was very intimidated. I asked him, 'Sir, why are you taking me for this role? I've not done anything to deserve this.' He said, 'I feel you can do it', that's how Kaminey happened and we started working since then,” he said.
"After that he gave me Hamlet in Haider, which is a role every actor in the world knows is the most intimidating role. Then we did Rangoon and now O Romeo. I feel fortunate to be a part of his filmography," the actor said.
But for O’Romeo, Shahid revealed, it was producer Sajid Nadiadwala who approached him and not Vishal.
The filmmaker interjected, saying he had reached out to the actor who chose not to respond to his message.
Shahid then said, "Sir, it's possible that I might not have." Vishal further praised Shahid, saying the actor has matured not only as a performer but also as a technician. He also believes that the actor is capable of directing a film.
"We've known each other for many years now and we know what are the things that we like and dislike. I think if he ever directs, he will make a very good film. He has that in him. So, Shahid has contributed more than an actor this time. And the rest of the understanding (bit), he is a very difficult man (to understand)," he said.
On a query about portrayal of violence and expletives in films, Bhardwaj said cinema is a reflection of society.
"I feel instead of using beep, we should use it (abuses) as it is, because as a society we are very hypocritical people. We are okay when people abuse on the road but when we show it in the cinema (there's an issue), it's like cinema does all the bad things,” he said.
"The reality is that cinema shows you the mirror. Today, if violence is happening (in cinema), then the violence exists in society as well now." On a lighter note, the director revealed that he was a bit hesitant to approach the veteran actor Farida Jalal with a role where her character abuses his grandson, played by Kapoor.
"I told Farida ji in this film, there will be a bit of a language issue and she asked, 'Kya hai? Bahut kharab toh nahi hai? (What is it? It’s not too vulgar is it?)' and I replied, 'It is all (needed) for the character'. Farida ji accepted the role and she played with utmost dedication and that line is viral," Vishal said.
Jalal, 76, thanked the filmmaker for offering her a role in O'Romeo and said, "As far as hurling abuses is concerned, I didn't want to limit myself. I did it all from my heart."
O’Romeo boasts of an ensemble cast that also includes Triptii Dimri, Nana Patekar, Avinash Tiwary, Tamannaah Bhatia, Farida Jalal, Disha Patani, with Vikrant Massey in a special appearance.
Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the movie is slated for a theatrical release on February 13 during Valentine's week.
