Made 'Bombay Talkies' under pressure on tight budget, says Karan Johar

Mar 25, 2013 IANS

Mumbai, March 25 (IANS) Filmmaker Karan Johar, who is known to have lavish sets and larger than life and expensive films, says he was under pressure when he was asked to make the film "Bombay Talkies" on a tight budget.

"We have our own style of film making but we didn't have much budget. First of all nobody gives me a budget because I have always made larger than life films. This is for the first time I have to work under a budget and it was difficult to make a film under a budget.

"The budget was Rs 1.5 crore each. We consciously made an effort to make it in 1.5 crores... we did not cheat by putting our own money into it," Karan Johar, told reporters during the trailer launch of the film.

"Bombay Talkies" which is a film to celebrate 100 years of Indian cinema has four diverse filmmakers coming under one roof to make four short films.

Director Anurag Kashyap says megastar Amitabh Bachchan's house 'Pratiksha' plays an important role in the film.

"Amitabh's house plays a very important role in the film. For the first time when I had to come to Mumbai, I was standing outside his bungalow. 'Pratiksha', his bungalow, is the protagonist in my film."

Kashyap is happy with the film. "When we saw all the film together we felt good suddenly you feel you are part of something big and this has not happened before."

His film is about the madness and importance given to stars in Mumbai by their crazy fans.

Director Zoya Akhtar says when she was approached to make this film, she had a short story ready.

"I have a short story ready when I was approached for the film and I could adapt it to the film. But you have got to like it the way it is. I am glad I did this (film) and I am very proud to share a credit in this film."

Johar, who is known to cast one of his close friends Shah Rukh Khan in most of his films, says he didn't have any character for him in this film.

"I haven't thought of Shah Rukh Khan because he is part of my life, part of my system. I look up to him and I didn't think off casting him because there was no character for him in this film."

Aasked what titles would they prefer to give to their respective films, Akhtar says "Sheila Ki Jawani" while Kashyap felt 'Murabba' would be apt. Johar likes the title "Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh" and Dibakar Banerjee who is making an emotional film, feels "Star" would suit it as a title.

"Bombay Talkies" is being made to celebrate the 100 years of Indian cinema. It has four segments directed by Johar, Akhtar, Banerjee and Kashyap respectively. The film is slated for May 13 release.

The film features Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Katrina Kaif, Randeep Hooda, Nawazuddin Siddiqui among others. Click the Movie button below for more info:
Bombay Talkies