Dinesh Vijan: Most important decision is which story to tell

'Hindi Medium' is a special film because it brought us so much love and appreciation. It’s important Part 2 lives up to expectations. The script is currently being fine-tuned. Irrfan is a close friend and he’s been very strong. It’s only fair that any announcement come formally at the right time. For now, it’s time for 'Luka Chuppi', a beautifully written comedy, like Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s films.

It’s a catchy title…
Yeah, well, India is a ‘connected’ country in that everybody in a family is involved with each other’s lives. In such an environment, it can be disastrous to lie. If you do, it results in a comedy of errors which may be funny for the world but dangerous for the ones involved. That’s the concept of our film.
Can a quirky family film make the cash counters jingle?
Last year, the audience made it clear that we are no longer aspirational about the West but just as proud of our own country. We want to see Indian stories and there are so many fascinating stories in the heartland which if executed well will definitely find takers. It’s not about a particular type of cinema, but about novelty as evidenced in the films that workeda diverse spectrum from 'AndhaDhun' and 'Badhaai Ho' to my own horror-comedy 'Stree'.
You must be relieved as a producer to see contentdriven films work irrespective of stars as that makes a project economically viable?
The most important decision is which story to tell and that’s determined by gut instinct. The logistics will eventually fall into place if you make the film sensibly. The so-called small films are no longer doing a business of just Rs 30-40 crore, they are earning big bucks. The script is the real hero of the film today.
Won’t 'Luka Chuppi’s' releasing during the exam period hamper its prospects given that its lead pair (Kartik Aryan, Kriti Sanon) and premise are targetted to the youth?
It’s a family film, but that aside, if not exams, there will be the IPL or something else. Last year,'Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety' worked during the exam period.
What’s your take on livein relationships?
(Laughs) I haven’t tried it and I am a married man now, so I shouldn’t really have a take on this. Also, this film is more a comedy of errors than a take on livein relationship. Personally, I believe in marriage, but in today’s time, it is important to connect with loved ones.
Next up, 'Arjun Patiala'
That’s a spoof in the cop genre with a beautiful supporting cast in Ronit Roy, Seema Pahwa, Zeeshan Ayyub, along with the leads, Diljit Dosanjh, Kriti Sanon and Varun Sharma.
And 'Made In China' with Rajkummar Rao?
That is a story of a struggling Gujarati businessman and his journey to becoming an entrepreneur. I saw the film recently and I am proud of it. The subject is relevant.
What can we expect from Ayushmann Khurrana’s Bala?
Well, he’s playing a smalltown guy who suffers from premature balding and the film underlines the need to love yourself for who you are. It is hilarious and will redefine quirk in our cinema. Not many understand the heartland as well as our director Amar Kaushik who gave us 'Stree' earlier.