The year 2001 was marked by blockbusters like ‘Lagaan’ and ‘Gadar: Ek Prem Katha’, but ‘Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai’ quietly achieved its success. The film, which he presented Tusshar Kapoor next to Kareena Kapoor Khanwon the audience with its simple and sensitive love stories and in May, it turns 25 years old.
Tusshar Kapoor on mobbing Metro cinema
Speaking to Variety India, Tusshar said, “The number of messages I have received from people on the film, which has completed 25 years, has been amazing. Many of them have told me how they used to watch it as a teenager or listen to the songs on their Walkman. They had vivid memories of watching the film three or four times in multiplexes. It was such a changing era, when it premiered and premiered at the Metro cinema. It was a packed house. I remember being mobbed after the show, so I had to go to the manager’s office and wait for the crowd to disperse. We didn’t expect such a reaction.”
Tusshar Kapoor and Ahmed Khan reunited decades later
That visit to Metro Cinema was not a solo trip, she was accompanied by Tusshar Ahmed Khan, the choreographer behind the memorable songs of ‘Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai’. The two share a bond that has only grown stronger over the years, and are now collaborating again with Khan in the director’s chair. “We’re feeling nostalgic now because I just finished ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ with Ahmed. We’ve been in touch lately, first during the shoot and now during the promotions. While I was shooting for Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai, I would hold back and work on my character. He was one of the few people who would talk to me,” recalls Kapoor.
Tusshar Kapoor was strong before the giants arrived
‘Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai’ had barely been in theaters for three weeks when two of Bollywood’s biggest juggernauts hit, ‘Lagaan’ and ‘Gadar: Ek Prem Katha’ arrived on the same day and immediately dominated the conversation at the box office. However, by then, Tusshar’s debut had already made a mark. “When the movie was coming out, I wanted people to see it once, but it got this big opening, and then it just kept going. I think it was over 25 weeks in many theaters. ‘Gadar’ and ‘Lagaan’, which released three weeks after our film, were also huge hits. Had they not released so close, ‘Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai’ would have been even better. I think the ‘Gadar’ wave, above all, took over. But, fortunately, by that time the film had done a lot of business,” he reflects.
Tusshar Kapoor on meeting Kareena Kapoor
Much before sharing the screen in the ‘Golmaal’ franchise, Tusshar and Kareena were first seen navigating an unfamiliar dynamic on the sets of ‘Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai’. The off-screen equation was much more comfortable than what the audience saw. “We weren’t really friends before the movie. I sometimes saw him at parties because of mutual friends, and we met once or twice when we were kids. So I knew him, but I wasn’t very close. We only met each other while making this film. I wasn’t very outgoing on set, so I don’t blame Kareena or myself for not getting to know each other. Even during the shoot, I held back because I was very scared of Satishji (director Satish Kaushik). He was very strict and wanted me to immerse myself in the character. I wouldn’t socialize at all on set. I would be in my make-up room or with Satishji. The time I started opening up was when we recorded a song in New Zealand. But as long as the chemistry is there on screen, it doesn’t matter. People loved us in the film,” he recalls.
Tusshar Kapoor on the Unpredictability of the Film Industry
In retrospect, Tusshar admits that the film industry is too unpredictable for anyone to fully control. “I don’t think you can change much in this profession because, like most professions, things aren’t entirely at your whim or command,” he says.The only thing he wishes he had done differently is take on more films early in his career. “I wish I knew before I wanted to become an actor, then I could have planned better, once you are in the industry, you are constantly there and doing your best, the rest is not up to you. I wouldn’t change anything, but I would probably do more films. I was very new, so I was very cautious. I didn’t want to be selective. But now, when I look back, I feel that it would have been okay if I had made more mistakes. I was right not to do certain films, but if I had, I would have more films to my credit; even if they did not do well, they would have their value. There is no harm in working harder and then learning from your mistakes. I should be a little less selective,” he concluded.
