Balki is a fan of Dhanush

Ad filmmaker-turned-director R Balki has helmed heart-warming stories like Cheeni Kum and Paa, and his upcoming film, Shamitabh stars Tamil actors Dhanush and Akshara Haasan alongside Amitabh Bachchan. He opens up to us about the genesis of the film, Dhanush, and why he would like to work with Ilaiyaraaja forever and much more.
How did this film happen?
I was heading to Amitabh���s 69th birthday party.I was thinking of getting him a gift for his birthday. Unfortunately, I got stuck in a traffic jam for a very long time. During that time, I was thinking about what to present to him. I cannot buy wine as he doesn���t drink, and flowers were not apt. Until I reached his place, I couldn���t think of any good gift. When I reached his party, I told him a story and he liked it so much. I told him that the story, which I intended to make into a film, was his birthday gift, and he will be acting in it. That���s how this film actually happened. After the narration, he asked me who the other person acting in the film was. I was yet to decide on it at that time. Shamitabh is one of the character���s names in the film.
Is Dhanush playing the role of a deaf-and-dumb person in the film?
Don���t believe any reports until I talk about my film. All I can say, for now, is that I decided to cast Dhanush because I have been a big fan of his acting since Kadhal Kondein. He is an original actor and he doesn���t remind me of any other actor. When you see the film, you will know why I chose him for the character. Filmmaking is a laborious process and I don���t feel like taking a project unless I find an interesting concept or a character.
Bollywood has an open strategy in promoting their films. How do you manage to target your audience by keeping everything under wraps? When audiences go to the theatre, they should be surprised by the film. When you talk everything about the film before the release, what is there to see in theatre? As a filmmaker, I believe that you must interest the audience about the film without talking much about it. I don���t want to force somebody to watch my film.
Being Kamal Haasan and Sarika���s daughter, is Akshara Haasan feeling any pressure on the set to perform well?
She is the coolest girl I have ever met. She acts as if she has completed 150 films. She was not nervous at all. Her mother, Sarika, has been her unconditional support. She visited Akshara a few times on the set. When she found her comfortable with her work, Sarika didn���t come to the set after that. This film is a three-hero subject, and Akshara Haasan is one of the heroes in the film.
Your equation with Ilaiyaraaja���
I feel good to work with Raaja sir, and as long as he is willing to work with me, I will continue to work with him. According to me, 50 per cent of a film���s impact relies on the background score. In that way, he adds more meaning to my films.
Dhanush, Akshara Haasan, Ilaiyaraaja, PC Sreeram, Abhinaya��� There is a bunch of people from Tamil Nadu on your team. Is there any Tamil connection in your story?
No, it is entirely a Hindi film. There is no Tamil connection to the story or the film, except the fact that these people are Tamilians.