Prabhudeva is a multi-talented personality and no one should have any doubt about it. He holds command over many crafts. Be it dance, acting or filmmaking, he has conquered many genres of creativity. Prabhudeva will shortly be seen in a silent thriller film called Mercury. Helmed by South Indian filmmaker Karthik Subbaraj, the movie enters cinemas on 13th April. Right after the release of the movie, he will team up with superstar Salman Khan to direct the third instalment of his super-hit film franchise, Dabangg. But before all this happens, our Mumbai correspondent, Mohnish Singh, catches up with Prabhudeva to know more about Mercury, Dabangg 3 and why, despite being an accomplished dancer himself, he has never made attempts to direct a dance film. Excerpts…
Tell us something about your character in your upcoming film Mercury.
This is the first time when I am doing a role like this. It’s very different from what you have seen me doing before. It’s a negative role. A villainous role. There is no dialogue. I don’t know how much more to reveal. You can ask the director. I just want to say, I was very eagerly waiting for the film’s shoot to begin.
Was it challenging for you to portray a villainous character?
I would say it wasn’t at all challenging doing this role because my director was very good. He made it easy for me. Whenever I did anything wrong during filming, he would say ‘one more take’ and just it.
What was your first reaction like when the script was narrated to you?
When the director told me that it’s going to be a silent film, I was a little surprised, because how can someone make the audience sit for two hours if there are no dialogues in the film? But when he told me the story, I was convinced with what he was making. When I asked him how he thought of taking me in the movie, he said, ‘You’ll do it’.
Director Karthik Subbaraj revealed that you said ‘yes’ to the film in the first go itself, after 15-20 minutes of narration.
Yeah. We all know Karthik very well. I have seen his 2-3 films. He is a well-known director. He has a very good reputation down south. If he had told me some other story, I would have done that too.
Did you miss dancing while doing this film?
No. I am doing many other films for that.
What was your preparation like to play your part in the movie?
No preparation at all! I directly went to the set, my director told me the scene and that’s it. We didn’t even do any rehearsals. It had to be spontaneous. I didn’t want to plan anything for this role.
There is one promotional song in the movie. Whose idea was to keep it?
Yeah, they told me there will be one promotion song in the movie. It was my director’s idea, of course. He did everything in the film.
Is Mercury basically a horror or a thriller film?
It’s a thriller film based on a real story. Rest of the things you will know when you watch the film.
Remo D’Souza has just announced another dance film with you. Could you tell us more about it?
They have just announced it and, frankly speaking, that much only I know. Remo is there and I blindly believe him.
Have you seen Mercury?
Yes, I have seen it. It’s too good, one of the best films of the year.
Are you nervous before the release of the film?
Not at all nervous! When the teaser came out, the response it got from the public made it clear that they are ready to watch the film. When the teaser released and the audience saw me in the film, everybody was appreciating. It means people are ready to see it. No one said, ‘There is no dance.’ Nobody has complained till now. Everybody is interested to see the film.
Being a director, did you ever think you could have directed this film?
I don’t have that much brain. I wish I had not directed this film (laughs).
You are going to helm the next instalment of the Dabangg series. How much progress has been made on the project?
It’s progressing only. I don’t know how much should I talk about it. If I tell something, Arbaaz (Khan) Sir might ask me why I said so. So, I think I should be more loyal to the producers at this time.
You being an accomplished dancer haven’t directed a dance film yet. Why?
It’s very tough to direct a dance film. It’s not at all easy. It’s not easy to bring so many actors and people together. If you are already telling the audience that it’s a dance film, they expect more from you. So, yeah, it’s very tough.
You last directed Salman Khan in Wanted and now you are teaming up with him again for Dabangg 3. How has the superstar changed over the years, according to you?
There has been no change in him. He is the same. That’s why the God has given him everything.
