Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo (2004) completed 20 years on December 24, 2024. The film didn’t work in cinemas as intended but it got noticed on satellite and digital due to its mass appeal, patriotism factor and treatment. It had a dream star cast – Amitabh Bachchan, Bobby Deol and Akshay Kumar – and it marked the debut of Divya Khosla Kumar. Sandali Sinha also featured in this film and it was also the launch vehicle of Anil Sharma’s brother Kapil Kaustubh Sharma. He played the role of Captain Trilok, a happy-go-lucky guy whose sacrifice forms a turning point in the story. As the action-packed wholesome entertainer completed 20 years, Kapil Kaustubh Sharma spoke exclusively with Bollywood Hungama about his debut film experience and a lot more.
Your IMDb profile states that you were a child actor in brother Anil Sharma’s Shradhanjali (1981) and Hukumat (1987)... Yes, I was in the lap in a scene in Shradhanjali. So, I had no dialogue; I was that small. In Hukumat, I did have a small role. I was around 7 years old at that time…
Do you always want to be an actor? I had always imagined myself working in films. I used to write. I used to watch movies and then enact the scenes of it once I was home. I would also give my interpretation that ‘story aisi honi chahiye thi’. I was also fond of dancing. When I was in college, there was a phase of 4 to 5 years when I became a bit snooty (laughs). I stopped watching Hindi movies and opted for Hollywood films. I also wanted to move abroad for further studies. But before passing out of college, I once again got inclined towards Hindi movies and that I had to be a part of them in some way or the other.
I soon trained myself in dance and action. I also got an offer from an outside producer. I can’t name the filmmaker but he was quite known. They happened to see me at my dance class and that’s how they selected me. Before that film could go on floors, my family informed me that they were starting Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo. My father and my brother Anil ji suggested that I should play one part in the film. That’s how I bagged the film.
As a newcomer, you expect a conventional debut, that you’d get the role of a college student and that it would be an urban character. But Anil ji told me that my character was a Haryanvi who has come from a small village. Moreover, he was married and is even a father. It was unexpected.
How was it working with Anil Sharma? Did you his different side as a director? (Laughs) Oh yes. He was not easy on the sets. Even the shoot was not easy. It was shot in Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Manali in real locations.
What was the original cast of the film? When I came on board, Amit ji was already finalized. To know that Amit ji will be there gave me a high. You’ll be surprised to know that originally, another actor was supposed to play the role which was ultimately played by Bobby Deol. That actor was almost finalized and it was Mr Shah Rukh Khan! Hence, when I was told that even he would be there in the film, you can imagine what my reaction must have been (laughs)! He is my all-time favourite actor and what’s more, I was told that I’d be playing his friend. I couldn’t control my excitement knowing that my scenes would be majorly with him. I told myself, ‘Main kitna bhi bad actor rahunga, but sharing screen space with him, things will be fine’. And that’s not all. Akshay Kumar also got finalized.
However, Shah Rukh Khan was going through a back problem. He was going to go through surgery and was advised not to do action. That’s how Bobby Deol stepped in.
For Sandali Sinha’s role, Priyanka Chopra was considered. She and Anil ji had worked in The Hero (2003) just a year ago. That also didn’t happen.
And who was the original choice for the role played by Divya Khosla Kumar? The original choice was Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. But she was too busy at that time. Then he started auditioning many girls. He remembered seeing Divya in a bridal ad. She also had some similarities to Aishwarya. That’s how she came on board.
Nevertheless, it was a big star cast and I was clear that I should not embarrass myself. Meri wajah se retakes na ho. I had to be totally prepared.
Anil Sharma and Sunny Deol have a close bond. Was he considered ever for the role that was ultimately played by Bobby Deol? No, he never approached because the character is shown as a brat in the beginning. Hence, Anil ji wanted someone younger.
How did you prep for the role? I went to an army cantonment in Ahmedabad for more than a month. The jawans there assumed I was one of the trainees. I was told not to reveal to my mates that I am an actor; warna ek alag atmosphere ho jaata. I had to wake up at 5:00 am and I used to hate it. I had to run 5 km. The first 10-15 days were torture. I used to be like ‘Kab mere din yahan khatam honge’ and ‘Kahan main fass gaya’! But later on, I got used to it. By the time it was time to go, I started missing it.
The experience helped me a lot. I understood how to correctly wear a uniform. They used to pinpoint, ‘Iss film mein iss actor ne galat pehna tha. This is how the shirt should be tucked inside’. I learned how to have a correct posture and how to say ‘Hello sir’ or ‘Hello madam’. We were trained on how to organize a party and a seven-course meal; I didn’t know it was part of the army.
Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo had a positive word of mouth but sadly, it didn’t work in cinemas. Looking back, what do you think was the reason for its dismal box office performance? I believe that there was an overdose of war films. Lakshya (2004) and LOC Kargil (2003) were released before our film. This was the last or one of the last films of that time which was in that space. The mood at that time probably was not there to watch such films.
But when it was aired on satellite, it became very popular. I had such a small role but I still get feedback. Just 4-5 days ago, a 17 or 18-year-old guy messaged me, ‘Are you Triloki?’! I can understand if someone older had messaged. But here’s someone who’s so young (and born after the movie was released). This also shows that the film is consumed widely.
It had many plusses. Akshay Kumar’s dialogues were loved. Even the songs were good. It deserved to do better at the box office.
Have you or Anil Sharma ever planned to re-release Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo? We never thought of it. But it’s a good suggestion (smiles).
The star cast is relevant even today… Yes, true. And now Bobby is a rage!
from Featured Movie News | Featured Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama https://ift.tt/8yH7fzo
