Ajay Devgn’s ‘Himmatwala’ targets 100-crore club

Ajay Devgn and Sajid Khan during the promotion of ‘Himmatwala’ in Dubai on Sunday

Published Sunday, March 24, 2013

By Bindu Suresh Rai

Almost two hours or the length of a feature film behind schedule, Dubai’s denizens were privy to yet another Bollywood invasion with the stars of ‘Himmatwala’ cruising into the city for a 10-hour blitzkrieg of promotional events, Sunday.

Spearheading the cause was one-time Indian National Award winner Ajay Devgn, who was flanked on both sides with his film director, Sajid Khan and leading lady, Tamannah Bhatia.

Not one to mince words, when quizzed by Emirates 24|7, Khan confidently said his retro remake of the ’80s modern-day classic of the same name will rake in the big bucks at the box office. He said: “‘Himmatwala’ will easily make it to the 100-crore club. Of this I am absolutely sure.

“Today, the lowest commodity for a middle-class household is cinema. It is something you can watch with your entire family, especially when you make a product that is devoid of vulgarity, cheap violence or double meaning crass humour.

“This is the packaging I have given ‘Himmatwala’, to cater to the masses. And a film today simply cannot make into the 100-crore club unless the whole family or the masses watch it.”

Devgn differed to Khan’s opinion, saying this is all a myth.

“There is no such thing as 100-crore club; it’s all a media generated hype. Frankly, it has taken away from the joy of watching a good film and seeing it churn into a success at the box office,” said Devgn. “I mean, just because it has made Rs99 crores (Rs990 million) does not mean the film is a flop.

“Plus, as actors and filmmakers, the pressure is so immense that the thrill of a hit is now waning.”

Retro repackaging

Both Khan and Devgn confessed that even though ‘Himmatwala’ was a fun ride all the way, it did force them to walk the line between ’80s chic and retro tackiness that comes with the decade.

“The ’80s are considered as the worst decade in terms of tackiness that emerged from Bollywood, especially if you look at films from 1985,” explained Khan. “When the original version released in 1983, I was entering my teens and it was quite easy to relate to the drama and the flamboyance of the period back then.

“But if you see it now, the fashion would frighten you. I knew my ‘Himmatwala’ couldn’t be a spoof, but rather a tribute to one of the best films ever made.”

In fact, Devgn revealed 20 years ago, when he and Khan were studying in the same college, the latter had promised him back then that if he ever made a remake, it would be ‘Himmatwala’.

“When Sajid called me about working on a remake with him, I knew which movie it was going to be. But my only condition was, no wig and no white shoes,” laughed Devgn.

Drama quotient

Khan, however, says the film is more of a rewrite and less of a remake, with “only 20 per cent of the original script being retained.”

He continued: “We have retained the melodrama, with Ajay’s entry in the film being one of the most dramatic to ever be seen in the history of Bollywood.

“In fact, Ajay has also battled a real live tiger in the film, which he may be shy to talk about, but was scary as hell.”

The nonchalant Devgn, whose father coincidentally helmed the action sequences in the original 1983 film, said: “I was in a cage with a tiger for three days and sustained a few scratches on the neck and a few bruises. It was trained, but yes, still a tiger.”

‘Himmatwala’, which is jointly produced by UTV Motion Pictures and Vashu Bhagnani, is the official remake of the 1983 blockbuster of the same name, which starred Jeetendra and Sridevi.

The original film chronicles the story of an estranged son, who grows up to fight the evil village head whose nefarious actions saw his father abandon his family years ago in shame.

Jeetendra himself, along with Akshay Kumar will be seen in special appearances in this film, according to reports.

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