Anjaana Anjaani doesn’t have trappings of commercial pot boiler” – Siddharth Anand

By Devansh Patel -

August 10, 2010 - 12:41 PM IST

It's no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction. It's a f*** up which should never happen if you are a journalist. So let me tell you my side of the story. As the director of Anjaana Anjaani was caught up in a bad traffic jam, I did a few preps. My watch signals 6.30pm. Time to call Siddharth Anand. What began as a steady interview went a bit unsteady mid way as I started to address Siddharth Anand as Siddharth Malhotra. It was embarrassing, at both ends of the receiver. I apologise to Anand and then again a slip of a tongue. We both laugh about it. "It happens", he tells me. "Yes, it happened to me when I addressed Ashmit as Shimit a few weeks backs", I told Anand. Siddharth Anand is all set and ready with his most mature work to hit the screens come September, Anjaana Anjaani. And what's different about this, yet another zillionth love story to hit celluloid? Well, almost everything is different. Siddharth Anand is a changed man. He quotes, "The music of Anjaana Anjaani is nothing like you've heard before in a love story." He was so involved that he came out evolved after the shoot of the film. And there's much more to it in this exclusive two part interview with the odd one out (pun intended) - Siddharth Anand. UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent brings you Sid's reaction to the first poster and the first promo of Anjaana Anjaani, something dark hidden in the film, a different love story, a musical change in our industry...all that took place on a chilly winter in America...and all this that took place over the phone in a twenty minute long chat because this stranger called Siddharth Anand is just a friend I haven't met yet.

Anjaana Anjaani doesn’t have trappings of commercial pot boiler” – Siddharth Anand

First poster and promo of Anjaana Anjaani

I haven't heard anything regarding the first poster of the film but people did ask me why I had kept crying shots of Priyanka and Ranbir by the end of promo. But there is a lot of inherent drama in the film. I wanted audiences to see a complete promo. Anjaana Anjaani is a love story and not a romantic comedy weaved in a love story.

Something hiddenâ€¦

I'm glad you noticed that after seeing the promo. Yes, we have put something very subtly into the promo and we didn't want that to be in the face either. Not that we wanted to project our first promo as a fluffy all out slap stick entertainer. Yes, Anjaana Anjaani is a love story with a bit of soul, drama, humour, costumes, good locations, and a complete cinematic film going experience.

A different love story

It's good that you asked me this question because love stories have been done to death in our film industry. After I did Bachna Ae Haseeno, I thought I had run out of ideas to write a love story. Just then, my wife Mamta came up with this theme which changed my whole viewpoint because till then, I was making another story. It was a scene that got me completely excited and we started writing immediately. It's a scene that dictates the story.

A musical change in our industry

Ok, I'm not going to make any claims (laughs). I'd make my listeners comment on that. But yes, the music of Anjaana Anjaani is nothing like you've heard before in a love story. You'll never expect these kinds of tracks or arrangements that Vishal-Shekhar have managed to pull through. That was my initial discussion with both these talented music directors that I never wanted to have popular tracks that sound like nursery rhymes. I wanted something that will compel you to think to put the track on again. I wanted all tracks to be addictive, and that's what Anjaana Anjaani songs are all about.

The chilly winter of New York

Anjaana Anjaani is set in New York's Christmas time. The film is set in the Christmas period in the run up to the New Years. It's really cold in the winters especially in the East Coast. Anjaana Anjaani doesn't have any sex appeal. It isn't sexy and all. I wanted people to disassociate me with all I've done in the past. This is love story which is a bit subdued. Everyone is going to be covered up in scarf's and mufflers and over coats and boots. This is a rare instance that you'll see Indian actors dressed full up without skin show.

Watch this space for Part 2 of conversation with Siddharth Anand