IANS
After an eight-month sabbatical, the irrepressible David Dhawan, who churned out hits like Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Biwi No. 1, is back in the swing of things and will direct two films.
"The layoff has done me good. I needed the break from direction, yaar! It's not as if I was sitting idle at home. I was a judge on a dance show ('Nach Baliye'). That I enjoyed thoroughly. I was finalising the scripts for my next two films and spending time with my family," Dhawan told IANS.
Dhawan is teaming up with Govinda for producer Vashu Bhagnani's next film. The duo has given successful films like Hero No. 1, Coolie No.1 and last year's hit movie Partner, which also starred the director's another favourite actor, Salman Khan.
"The first would be for my friend Vashu Bhagnani with my dear friend Govinda in the lead. It'll be an out-and-out David-Govinda dhamaka, the kind that audiences will expect from us," said Dhawan.
"This would be my sixth film with Vashu - can you believe it? We still continue to believe in each other! We're looking for an interesting title for the film. But my next Hook Ya Crook written by Rensil D'Silva is a complete departure from everything I've done so far."
In Bhagnani's untitled film, Dhawan is repeating the Govinda-Lara Dutta pair after Ravi Chopra's Pappu Pass Ho Gaya. The film will also star Riteish Deshmukh.
While the Bhagnani project takes him into familiar territory, Dhawan has decided on a completely new team for Hook Ya Crook.
"Rensil wrote the full script for me immediately after Rang De Basanti. He's an amazing writer. His film for me is unbelievable. I've decided on John Abraham for the lead. One more major leading man has to be selected. This is a darkish film with violence in it. But nothing that would make the audiences alarmed, 'What's wrong with David Dhawan?'
Dhawan's son Rohit is also ready to turn director this year.
"In a couple of months, Rohit will be ready with his project. I'll most probably be producing the film along with a corporate house."
David Dhawan is back with two films
Govinda excited about working with David Dhawan again
(IANS) Govinda is excited about getting together with director David Dhawan and producer Vashu Bhagnani again.
'We've created quite a `dhamaal' in the past with 'Hero No 1' and 'Coolie No 1'. We'll definitely be creating a full-on entertainment again. Yes, it'll be a comedy. I'll try my level-best that we come back with a film that will do justice to all three of us.'
Govinda says he owes his entire comeback to David Dhawan. 'It's something I learnt from Bachchan. When he needed to make a comeback he called Yash Chopra for `Mohabbatein'. Similarly when I needed to come back I rang up David and he gave me `Partner'.'
Govinda has no qualms admitting that the Big B influenced him. 'Yeah, I copied Bachchan. I'm not anything like Bachchan. But why shouldn't I copy a man as great as him? If he could reach out to a filmmaker, why couldn't I? David is such a big man. One call to him and my career was re-made. Today, if he asks me to do another film with him I don't even need to think about it. I'd do it blindly.'
Govinda has never been more charged up about his career. 'I don't really care what people say about me. All I know is, I'm doing my work with sincerity. And I've become very punctual. I reach my sets on time.
'I'm not here to create any problems for anyone. If I'm doing my work quietly, why are some people getting troubled by it? But I'm not going to get rattled.
'I don't regret anything, not even my entry into politics. I respect politicians because they're doing their jobs very efficiently. But the fame and fortune I've got has come through Mata Saraswati and my art (movies). No one has the right to eye my career and try to ruin it.'
Govinda's 'Money Hai To Honey Hai' producer Kumar Mangat adds: 'A miracle happened during the shooting. We finished Govinda's work in 60 days when we had reserved his dates for 85 days.
'In Mauritius where we shot most of the film, Govinda was the first of the cast to be awake. In fact he'd wake me up and we'd have our morning tea together. I remember we had to shoot at a discotheque in Mauritius. We had to reach at 8 a.m. and all we saw were the janitors at work. That's how punctual Govinda has become.'
In fact Kumar Mangat is planning another film with Govinda this year. 'He's a pleasure to work with,' says the producer.
