- विज्ञापन -
Delhi: As Loveyapa gears up for its release this Friday, director Advait Chandan admits to feeling the familiar nerves of an impending exam. However, he initially had no intention of taking on the project. When producer Madhu Mantena acquired the rights to remake the Tamil hit Love Today (2022) and offered him the opportunity to direct it, Chandan refused outright. “I said I didn’t want to do a remake.
After Laal Singh Chaddha [2022], I had decided to work on something original. I was writing my own script,” he recalls. However, after being persuaded to watch the rom-com—centred around a young couple who exchange phones before marriage—he changed his mind.
The Casting Dilemma
Although the storyline intrigued him, Chandan was initially unsure whether Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor were the right choices for the lead roles. To seek clarity, he turned to one of the industry figures he trusts most—his frequent collaborator, Aamir Khan, who is also Junaid’s father. “I told Aamir sir, ‘I’m considering taking on this film, but I don’t know if Junaid is the right choice.’ He said, ‘Take up the film. If you think Junaid isn’t suited for the role, then drop him. I won’t interfere or pressure you. Do whatever is best for the film.’ He advised me to conduct readings and auditions, and if they didn’t fit, I could let them go. That was very reassuring,” Chandan shares.
Over the following two months of script readings and rehearsals, both actors won him over with their dedication. While Loveyapa serves as the big-screen debut for Junaid and Khushi—daughter of the late Sridevi—the director is keen to emphasise that he never viewed the film as a launch vehicle for star kids.
“If a producer approaches me with a good script and budget, I’ll make the film with anyone who is talented. Junaid and Khushi never carried an air of being ‘Aamir Khan’s son’ or ‘Sridevi’s daughter’. They approached the project professionally. Khushi created a playlist for her character and even suggested colour palettes for her costumes. My responsibility wasn’t to launch star kids; it was to the audience, who invest their time and money. If the film entertains them, I’ve also done right by Junaid and Khushi.”
Facing Public Scrutiny
In the run-up to the film’s release, Junaid and Khushi have actively participated in promotional events. Junaid, a self-confessed introvert, has particularly drawn attention for his awkwardness in public appearances. Chandan, however, expresses immense pride in him.
“It takes great strength to stand in front of an audience that is quick to troll you. Yet, Junaid continues to put himself out there, repeating a dance step again and again, just to invite people to the cinema. That takes courage. It’s easy to perform when you’re naturally good at it, but standing on stage despite knowing your shortcomings is far more admirable.”
When asked whether it is fair to make an actor, who is visibly uncomfortable, engage in aggressive promotions, Chandan responds, “Did you feel sympathy for him? If yes, then my job is done. This is what makes an actor a star.”
Recovering from Laal Singh Chaddha
As Loveyapa approaches its release, it inevitably brings back memories of Chandan’s last cinematic outing—Laal Singh Chaddha (2022). While the Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor-starrer is now widely appreciated, it struggled at the box office upon release. Chandan admits he is still dealing with its aftermath.
“I went into a dark space. I took the failure to heart. Even now, I get emotional when someone tells me they liked the film. I read every comment on YouTube and Twitter. When the film didn’t land well for many people, it deeply affected me.”
Aamir Khan had previously suggested that his own performance might have contributed to the film’s reception, but Chandan disagrees. “Aamir sir has the grace and maturity to process it that way, but I didn’t. I completely shut down and questioned whether I could ever make a film again. But eventually, I picked myself up and decided to do better next time.”
Did he worry about his career prospects after the failure of Laal Singh Chaddha? “Of course. When a big film doesn’t work, a director always fears whether they will get another opportunity. But I’m grateful to Aamir sir. Without him, I wouldn’t have a career or the craft I have today.”
With Loveyapa, Chandan is ready to face the box-office test once again, hoping to win over audiences with this fresh take on love and relationships.
