‘I started to feel I was infallible’
As director Sajid Khan completes 10 years in Bollywood, he says he has started wearing his “brain” on his sleeves now
Adecade back (on August 24, 2007), Sajid Khan started his directorial career with Heyy Babyy. It was followed by two big hits – Housefull and Housefull 2 but then the director faced a barrage of negativity with Himmatwala (2013) and Humshakals (2014). But despite all of it, the 45-year-old has retained his fun, witty side and, more importantly, a positive outlook towards life and people. “I’ve grown up a lot in the last 10 years,” he says.
You complete a decade as a director today. Do you remember how the journey started?
Yes, I remember that we took the first shot on November 6 in 2006. I wanted to shoot a particular scene, but Sajid Nadiadwala (producer) suggested, ‘Let Farah (Khan; choreographer-film-maker and Sajid’s sister) start with a song, so that you get used to the world of the film.’ It’s because I had never directed a feature film before and had only made an 11-minute short in Darna Zaroori Hai (anthology horror thriller). The shooting for the scenes started around the fourth day when I shot Akshay’s (Kumar) introduction scene.
How have these 10 years been?
I hadn’t expected Heyy Babyy to be liked so much. I feel that technically, it was not a comedy, and had lot of heart. Many feel that Heyy Babyy has been my best work but Housefull will always be closest to my heart as it opened me up to crazy, mad, over-the-top comedy. With Housefull 2, we knew we are sitting on a franchise which will do well, so we wanted to make it bigger and better.
But you also faced a lot of criticism for your attitude?
I got very carried away with the success of Heyy Babyy and started feeling infallible that I can’t go wrong now. Throughout my life, I had seen lots of success as well as failure but I had never seen the kind of adulation I got as a film-maker. So, I got very carried away, and the same attitude took me to Himmatwala. Even during that film, I gave interviews in the same vein that I can’t make a flop as I know cinema. The truth is I was playing to the gallery as I knew that the media likes to grab statements that will make headlines.
Since you started off with such a bang, did you ever feel bad? Were people too harsh with you?
Yes. Though I don’t feel bad, I feel it is justified. As they say, ‘Jaisi karni wasi bharni’ (As you sow, so shall you reap). You know, I was madly in love with a girl, who cheated on me. I felt very bad and felt like killing myself. That time, a friend told me, ‘You have been doing this to so many girls; it has come back to you.’ So, I felt as if it was all karma. Over 15 years when I was doing TV, I possibly rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. So, all that animosity was a result of that. But now, all is okay.
You know, I was madly in love with a girl, who cheated on me. I felt very bad and felt like killing myself. SAJID KHAN, DIRECTOR
After Heyy Babyy (2007), many felt that you became a bit arrogant?
I honestly thought that people were used to my humour since I was well-known in almost every household. That is where I was wrong. What I did not realise was that I was rubbing a lot of people the wrong way. When Himmatwala (2013) didn’t work, I realised that all the negativity that came with it existed during Heyy Babby as well, but they had to keep quiet because it was a hit. But with Himmatwala, it was like, ‘beat him to a pulp, and make sure he doesn’t stand up again.’
But the negativity followed you even during Humshakals?
I then realised that I have got to shut up, mature and just move ahead. Then we started Humshakals (2014) on a happy note, but again the negativity followed, despite me standing with folded hands in front of everyone (laughs). Honestly, in Humshakals’ defence, it was a mad, fun film. What logic do you seek in that? It is still Saif ’s [Ali Khan] biggest grossing film in the last four years. It made ` 64 crores, which is not a bad number, but it’s a flop in terms of love and expectations from audiences and critics.
Do you feel your life has been kind of a roller-coaster ride, with lots of ups and downs?
In my head, I have always been ‘up’ even when life has taken me ‘down’ as I refuse to lie back, and accept defeat. Someone told me, ‘You will make your next film with lots of vengeance and would shut people up.’ But I don’t want to shut people up as I have no animosity towards anybody; I am not saying that I have reached nirvana and attained spiritualism. After all, it is business, and people only care about whether you are successful or not. There is nothing personal. You fail as a person only when you are not a good brother, a good son, a good husband, a good citizen or a good friend. Your work cannot determine you as a person; it only defines your professional side.
Have you missed direction?
No, I haven’t. After Heyy Babyy in 2007, Housefull released in 2010. But I am sure whatever film I make next, it will surely be much better that the previous ones, for the simple reason that I’ve learnt much more. I have understood the technique and importance of screenplay much more, besides the value of correct casting. Correct casting is extremely important.
You have been a part of showbiz for close to 30 years. Right?
In showbiz, my first show as a compère was in 1987 at the audio launch of the film, Dirty Dancing. In fact, I had made my visiting cards too, which read, ‘Sajid Khan — compère, mimicry artiste and emcee’. I remember distributing my visiting cards at that event. My rate was ` 100 per show. I thought if I distribute around 500 cards, I will get at least one show (laughs).
When are you taking up direction again?
So many people tell me to make a film, but I don’t want to make a wrong film, and do the wrong casting, or have a wrong screenplay. I’d rather wait. I wish I could tell you what will be my next film on record right now. But next year, I will start a big comedy film. We have already completed the first draft of the script. I wrote a film for UTV after Humshakals, but that didn’t get made. Then, in 2015, I did two TV shows. In 2016, I started writing my new film, which we completed three months ago. But yes, it has been over three years since I directed last. Hopefully, all will be forgiven vis-à-vis Humshakals and Himmatwala.
Would you like to direct Housefull 4, if given an opportunity?
Of course.