Life came full circle with Kesari: Director Anurag Singh

For Kesari director Anurag Singh, helming a movie that features Akshay Kumar has been a dream come true. “As a filmmaker, you seek creative and aesthetic growth with every project. That made me nervous and excited at the same time,” says the filmmaker, who has his fingers crossed, as he speaks about his upcoming war drama. The movie marks his return to Bollywood after over a decade.In a candid chat with TOI, Anurag shares why working with Akshay was a delight and the kind of cinema he wants to be known for. Excerpts...
Your first Bollywood film, Raqeeb (2007), was made 12 years ago. Do you see Kesari as a comeback of sorts?
When I made Raqeeb, I was young and more of an outsider (he used to work in the Punjabi film industry). The movie didn’t fare well at the box office and I was sitting at home for a while with no work. I started working on some Punjabi films post that and honed my craft throughout the journey. The beauty of the journey is that you learn from your mistakes. That’s what I did. I hope the audience connects with my work in Kesari.
So, how did Kesari happen to you?
I was approached for this film when I was planning to work on another project. Kesari’s co-producer Amar Butala called me in December 2016, and offered me the film. When I was told that it will feature Akshay Kumar sir in the lead role and is being backed by Karan Johar sir’s production house, I couldn’t contain my excitement. The film went on floors in December 2016, and we finished working on it recently. It’s been a long journey, indeed.
What motivated you to direct a subject like this?
Being a Punjabi, I knew about the Battle of Saragarhi (in which an army of 21 Sikhs fought against 10,000 Afghans in 1897). Making a film on a subject that holds a lot of relevance in Indian history was the greatest motivation. Since Akshay and Karan sir were part of the project, I was sure that I would be able to do justice to the subject. I wanted the world to know about this story of valour. I feel that self-doubt is the greatest strength and weakness of a creative person. The responsibility of doing justice to the subject of Kesari was challenging. I had to ensure the right mix of drama and reality, so that the story doesn’t seem unbelievable. Striking that balance was hard.
How was your experience of working with Akshay?
It was phenomenal. Since I was the assistant director of his 2003 film, Andaaz, we knew each other. I remember, while working with him back then, I had hoped to direct him someday. When I was offered to helm Kesari, I felt that life has come full circle after 16 years. Akshay is an easy actor to work with. What’s special about him is that he hasn’t changed over the years. He remains grounded and has no starry airs. What I love the most about him is his discipline. If I called him on the set at 8 am, he would say, ‘Saat baje hi aa jaata hoon. Jaldi kaam shuru kar lenge!’ When he is on the set, he doesn’t get distracted. He never uses his mobile phone or meets outsiders. The best example of his dedication was that when we were shooting for the film in Wai (Maharashtra), he wouldn’t go to his vanity van despite donning a heavy turban, beard and costume. He used to have trouble eating, but he wouldn’t remove the beard or turban, because he believes in finishing things in one go. Despite the rigorous action sequences and high temperature, almost 40 degrees, he would only eat lunch post pack-up. I was amazed by his dedication.
Compared to the kind of Punjabi films you have done, the Jatt & Juliet series, for instance, Kesari is a serious subject. As a filmmaker, what kind of films do you want to be known for?
As a creative person, you always want to attempt something different and new. My 2014 Punjabi film, Punjab 1984, was also based on true incidents. As a viewer, I enjoy all genres of films — be it out-and-out commercial movies or arthouse projects. But as a filmmaker, I want to make movies that have relatability and commercial elements at the same time. It’s a challenging mix, but that’s what I want to be known for.