Screenwriter-director Farhad Samji has revealed that the Baahubali star Rana Daggubati will play a role in their upcoming film Housefull 4. Rana replaced Nana Patekar in the film after the veteran actor was accused of sexual misconduct by actress Tanushree Dutta. He started shooting for it in Mumbai in November.
Chennai:
“It would have been difficult for me had I not written the screenplay and dialogues of the film. Whenever I narrate, I do it like a stand-up act. All the actors... even producers make it a point that I am present on sets. I was in Jaisalmer while the shooting was happening there. So, it is not a big jump for me. But yes, as a director, there are many departments that I have to look up to like costumes, timing, actors and all. I had worked with Sajid Nadiadwala (producer) before in Housefull 3 so, he was also there with me,” said Farhad.
Housefull 3 was co-directed by Sajid Samji and Farhad. Talking about the pressure of directing all by himself, he said: “Had it been three directors, then too there would have been pressure. The same goes for directing solo. Pressure is there because it a big franchise. It is a period comedy — something we are doing for the first time. The look, clothes and scale of the film are done on a different level. That’s the challenge. For me, filmmaking is passion. It’s been about 17 years since I joined the industry. I have written for around 40 films. This is what I have been craving for... to get bigger films, good films with a good cast. I am getting everything on a platter. I have to do justice to it,” he added.
“I think it is too early to talk about his role though it’s an important one. He is playing the ‘threat’ in the film,” Farhad said in a telephonic interview about the movie that also stars actors Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh and Bobby Deol. Rana is not the only replacement in the film. In October, filmmaker Sajid Khan had to step down as its director after he was accused of sexual harassment too.
“It would have been difficult for me had I not written the screenplay and dialogues of the film. Whenever I narrate, I do it like a stand-up act. All the actors... even producers make it a point that I am present on sets. I was in Jaisalmer while the shooting was happening there. So, it is not a big jump for me. But yes, as a director, there are many departments that I have to look up to like costumes, timing, actors and all. I had worked with Sajid Nadiadwala (producer) before in Housefull 3 so, he was also there with me,” said Farhad.
Housefull 3 was co-directed by Sajid Samji and Farhad. Talking about the pressure of directing all by himself, he said: “Had it been three directors, then too there would have been pressure. The same goes for directing solo. Pressure is there because it a big franchise. It is a period comedy — something we are doing for the first time. The look, clothes and scale of the film are done on a different level. That’s the challenge. For me, filmmaking is passion. It’s been about 17 years since I joined the industry. I have written for around 40 films. This is what I have been craving for... to get bigger films, good films with a good cast. I am getting everything on a platter. I have to do justice to it,” he added.