The name Kajol brings out a lot of synonyms - beautiful, grace, poise, elegance, intelligence, talent and experience. But what if all the above would one day get replaced with - fun, crazy, humorous, unpredictable and a little bit silly? There is such a glut of films about superheroes and good triumphing over evil, that all the sugar coated one liner and happy endings has created an epidemic of nausea. Move on
Superman, Spiderman, Batman because we have the Toon's from Toonpur, India's original super-heroes. What's more, we have Kajol and Ajay Devgn as well. That means 'live' super-heroes too. But more than just being a star wife, a star performer and a superstar, Kajol is the ultimate 'toon' too. She is one of those rare actors we have in our industry who can not only do a live action film and get thousands flocking to the theatre, but also be a part of an animation film, play a live action character and make people fall in love with her. Over the span of Kajol's career she's been known to tackle a wide range of characters. She's been the sweet optimistic girl, the careless free-spirit, and the beautiful lady draped in a red sari romancing the hero. Dump all this and you get an all new Kajol who gravitates to anything new and anything with a change. But for the most parts, she is a one woman show. UK's Harrow Observer columnist and
Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent chats with the actor, wife, mother and somewhere deep down, a kid. Over to Indian Film Industry's cutest, sweetest and the most lovable character with a 'K', Kajol.
"Toonpur is a very busy and a hectic place to live in" I can't fully agree to the fact that Toonpur is a far better place to live than Mumbai (laughs). Toonpur is a very hectic place. They have their own problems, issues and interesting moments.
"I should thank my director Kireet Khurana for making this animation world come to life" This is my second animation film after
Kuchi Kuchi Hota Hai. Though it's not released yet but I have lent my voice to that film. In
Toonpur Ka Superrhero, I'm playing a live character. The film is a combination of live action and 2-D. It's a really interesting film to watch. It's a great technique and I should thank my director Kireet Khurana for making this animation world come to life. It's a film for all ages. I play a star wife in the film who is obsessed by all sorts of things such as 'vaastu', etc. It is a funny character which I haven't played since a long time.
"I loved Tom and Jerry, Superman, Batman, Spiderman and the whole fantasy world" When I was in my teens and even younger, I used to love comic books and all my super heroes. I loved Tom and Jerry, Superman, Batman, Spiderman and the whole fantasy world. There is always a child within you and even today and that's why
Toonpur Ka Superrhero is an attempt to re-live that childhood in us.
"Nysa is really looking forward to watching the movie" The fact that each of the toons from Toonpur are identifiable is what makes this animation film interesting. They are the same funny people who may be living in and around your area. Each one of them is different and their parameters are very clear. Nysa is really looking forward to watching the movie.
"To shoot for an animation film is tougher than shooting for a live action film" To shoot for an animation film is tougher than shooting for a live action film. A normal scene becomes so tough that it all depends on the technical nuances and how you get that right. It really is difficult to work without anything in front of you. You can't predict anything because you don't know what that invisible character is behaving like in front of you.
"The kid inside Ajay rarely comes out" My husband didn't try to become any one of the toon's (laughs) but he tried very hard to distract me (laughs). Ajay has a kid in him somewhere. The difference is that the kid within him doesn't very often come outside (laughs). We were all really having a lot of fun doing it. On the sets, everywhere I looked was green. So when I came out of the sets, I felt a little bit of vertigo.
"We underestimate our kids today" We underestimate our kids today. More importantly, we underestimate their intelligence today a lot too.
Toonpur Ka Superrhero isn't a kiddie film. The humour isn't restricted only for a three year old kids. This film isn't targeting one age group. It's a complete, overall entertaining film. It's meant for any age.
"People will try and want to experiment with new stuff if Toonpur works" Animation future in India depends a lot on how this film does. It depends on what the economics of the film are. If Toonpur does well, it will create so many jobs in this country. The software industry will itself be booming. It's got to do with a lot of things. People will try and want to experiment with new stuff if Toonpur works.
"I guess it's time we at least start to respect directors who try and make animation films" Recently I saw
Despicable Me and it was so much fun. My kids enjoyed it too. We laughed not on the Tom and Jerry humour but on the humour which is shown in today's type of animation films. Teenagers and even adults have loved watching animation films made down the West. I guess it's time we at least start to respect directors who try and make animation films in India.
"I supported the film, Ajay supported it too and now we need your support" I support change and anything new. If animation industry booms in our country, I'd definitely want to contribute whatever little or more I can towards supporting a thought like this, the director included (laughs). Kireet had everything ready and that's what impressed us. He had the story boarding ready, bound script and we were seeing the film in front of our eyes. So yes, I supported. Ajay supported and now we need your support. Kireet deserves a standing ovation.