'I am the cheapest actor I can find'
Nagesh Kukunoor's day had been organised from the minute he got off the plane early in the morning -- and it was crammed with interviews. Finally, at 4pm, a thoroughly jet-lagged Kukunoor -- he had just returned from the US -- entered the Rediff premises, his nerves on the edge but his sense of humour intact. The bright young director had a lot of fun during the chat and even discovered a new cure for jet lag. Read on...
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 4:30 IST)
Hi... I made it, let's go... :-)
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Sumedha (Thu Jan 6 19100 4:33 IST)
Mr Kunnor: Why Rockford didn't click like Hyderabad Blues?
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 4:37 IST)
Sumedha: Where are you writing from? Just curious because, so far, the film is doing well in Bombay, Pune, Delhi and Bangalore. It didn't fare well in Hyderabad. Also, Hyderabad Blues did one theatre, one show in most cities, whereas Rockford is playing in multiple theatres. Seriously, it's hard to predict the box office. I can only make films the way I know and leave the public to decide for themselves.
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Ranjini (Thu Jan 6 19100 4:30 IST)
Nagesh: Hi, what made you make a film like Rockford. A film from adulthood to childhood?
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 4:33 IST)
Ranjini: My typing sucks, but I'll try. This was another story that I always wanted to tell. However, it isn't exactly a children's film. It is about children, yes, but I really wanted adults to take a trip down memory lane because most of us have been there at one point!
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utt (Thu Jan 6 19100 4:29 IST)
hi! how about a real light question from me? do u have a gf? :) and can u please lose that american accent?...although i know its not fake
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 4:40 IST)
utt: Interesting name. Do I have a gf? NO. Drop the accent? Sorry, that is the only way I can speak now -- a bastardised version of the Indian and American accents. But why should that bother you? It is just a stupid accent.
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Ila (Thu Jan 6 19100 3:54 IST)
Nagesh, what kind of stories excite you and why do u act in all your films?
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 4:49 IST)
Ila: You take chances and sometimes it pays off. Yeah, I was shit scared putting in my own money. But -- guess what? -- it makes you work that much harder. I guess I am the cheapest actor I can find. But, on a sidenote, both Hyderabad Blues and Rockford had specific roles that I figured I understood best. As the movies get bigger, I will stick to smaller roles and focus more on direction. But do u have a problem with my acting? :-) The stories are always the same, it's just the way you tell them. And I like every genre of of films like horror, comedy, action.... just depends on the mood I am in.
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ketan (Thu Jan 6 19100 4:43 IST)
hi nagesh any reason you opted for nandita das for the cameo role in rockford?
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 4:57 IST)
Ketan: Tell me which self-respecting male would not like to have Nandita walk by smiling!!!
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varsha (Thu Jan 6 19100 4:56 IST)
nagesh,we like it when u include some telugu wisecracks in ur movies ,wat makes u go bout tat?
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:0 IST)
Varsha: Since I can't read or write Telugu, I want to make up in someway hence the Teuegu comments!(I'm jetlagged and can't think straight so just bear with me!!)
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sumita (Thu Jan 6 19100 4:58 IST)
Did i touch a raw chord about padmini kolhapure? Would you rather talk about Manoj Shyamlan?
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:2 IST)
SUMITA: I honestly have no idea what you are talking about... but I shall be sure to ask Padmini about my not being here tonight! :-) What about Manoj?
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prabhu (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:0 IST)
WHY YOU CHOSEN A ENGLISH MOVIE RATHER THAN A REGIONAL MOVIE FOR YOUR FIRST MOVIE?
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:3 IST)
PRABHU: What is a regional movie? I'm only doing movies in the language I'm most comfortable with.
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Ridhi (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:1 IST)
u aren't answering my qs. at all. NOT FAIR!!!
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:6 IST)
Ridhi: What was your question? Please ask me again!
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Mikey (Thu Jan 6 19100 4:57 IST)
Nagesh, how you doing? No plans of returning to the US of A? What are you next films about? You need to get out of the autobiographic mould, pal?
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:9 IST)
Mikey: I still shuttle between the US and India. The next film, Bollywood Calling, is about an American actor who gets cast in a Bollywood masala film. Are the autobiographical stories boring?
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SIMRAN (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:2 IST)
WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDATE?
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:10 IST)
Simran: 30th March, Aries rule the world..
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sumita (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:7 IST)
well, i wanted to know what you think of Manoj and the Sixth Sense... i honestly think there's a huge gap between where Manoj is and where you and kaizad gustad are. Why do you think have you not able to sell a film to studios abroad?
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:14 IST)
Sumita: There are 10 million lukhas like me out there who are all trying to sell their films and scripts to the studios so the probability of me striking gold like Manoj are pretty slim. Still, we all have to keep trying... Someday we'll get there.
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ReelGenius (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:8 IST)
Nagesh, I really want to get some insight into what you did before HB esp. here in the US.
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:15 IST)
ReelGenuis: I was a boring chemical engineer. But, honestly, that job paid much more than these low budget films.
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cleona (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:11 IST)
Nagesh, I think you make amazing movies, and wish you all the best forever. And a great 2000 for now.
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:18 IST)
Cleona: Thanks... and you have a gorgeous name
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sips (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:18 IST)
Nagesh, please don't leave without saying at least a hi to me...
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:18 IST)
sips: HI and what kind of a name is sips?
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sheeba (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:16 IST)
Which is the next lukha movie you are making ( u just mentioned to sumita)
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:21 IST)
Sheeba: Bollywood Calling, that's the next film about an American actor working in a Bollywood masala film.
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karishma (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:22 IST)
nageshhhhhhhh are you there please say hi and can you give me your email address as well
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:23 IST)
Karishma... I can say Hi but do you really think it is wise for me to send out my e-mail address?
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krisnee (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:22 IST)
Under wat nick do i logon 2 get a reply from ya?????
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:24 IST)
Krisnee: I'm trying to reply to all you guys, THERE ARE JUST TOO MANY ARGGHHHHHH and my typing sucks! And I'm jetlagged and...
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karishma (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:24 IST)
hi angesh again well im sure you have some fan mail kind of email address when are you going to be in delhi?? i wanted to invite you for a talk to my college and that why i asked about for your email address im from the st stpehens college in delhi
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:25 IST)
Karishma: You can write to sicproductions@hotmail.com
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star (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:23 IST)
Hi! I just found out that Hyderabad Blues on video cassette. Is it complete version or edited?
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:26 IST)
Star: Every tape of Hyderabad Blues that's out there is pirated. PLEASE DON'T BUY OR RENT THEM! Let's kill the blackmarket guys.
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ally (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:25 IST)
see ur so popular? why r u complaining so much about that jetlag?
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:28 IST)
Ally: I NEVER knew that popularity or fame killed jetlag! I'm gonna have to think about that seriously! You have any more home remedies like that?
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ashok (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:27 IST)
Man, you dont want serious questions i think,like what cam did you shoot HB on?Why are prodn values so bad? You seem to getting more exicted about women's names in the chat here.
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:30 IST)
Ashok: Hey, that was a good way to get my attention. But why the same boring questions over and over again?
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Santanu (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:27 IST)
This is not fair..Why Karishma is getting all the attention :-(
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:31 IST)
Santanu: Can u ask your question again and I promise to answer your before Karishma's.....
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star (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:30 IST)
if it is pirated... it's got the manufacturers name on the back... as well as copyright... I bought it
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:32 IST)
Star: Send me a copy of the tape if you can... send me the manufacturer's address and I'll track them down. sicproductions@hotmail.com
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Akshay (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:31 IST)
By the way, why there so lil telugu content in rockford while Hyd blues was brimming with so much telugu velugu.
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:34 IST)
Akshay: Different movies, different stories. I'm not attempting to push Telugu through my movies.
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juliaa (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:31 IST)
nagesh when can ew expect to see ur next movie? r u there in it?
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:36 IST)
Hi Juliaa! The next movie should be out in June, I play a small, cheesy, philmi, badass villian, with bad hair and a bad moustache...
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Santanu (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:34 IST)
Don't you feel that your accent was bit out of tune in the context of your characterisation in the movie??
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:37 IST)
Santanu: What are you talking about, dude? I did not have an accent in Rockford.
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star (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:34 IST)
manufacturers: Excel Audiovisuals - Bombay Tel: 8216661 excelp@bom5.vsnl.net.in Is that sufficient?
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:39 IST)
Thanks, Star
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Nagesh Kukunoor (Thu Jan 6 19100 5:43 IST)
Sorry sorry sorry... I have to run. I'm in Bombay for just a day and I have to leave for Hyderabad. But will be doing a lot with Bollywood Calling on Rediff. I promise to come back when I'm more coherant and stay much longer. Bye
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