Superstar Amitabh Bachchan and Balki have made three movies together
as Cheeni Kum, Paa and Shamitabh. First two were successful, third was not. But,
that didn't impact the personal as well as professional relationship between
the two men. Instead, it was Amitabh himself who pegged Balki to go ahead and
begin his fourth movie pronto.
"I did ponder for a while over Shamitabh. However
Amitji along with Jayaji forced me to go ahead and kick-start my next. They
told me that there was no point sitting and analyzing about what happened with
Shamitabh. My producer Anil Naidu joined them as well. Together, they made sure
that I begin to write pronto," discloses Balki.
As the germ of an idea that of a married couple with a role
reversal of sorts came in it turned out to be a happy narrative experience for
the filmmaker.
"When people complimented me for my work (in Paa -
2009), it took me six years to return with my next (Shamitabh - 2015). Now if I
started thinking too much about criticism, it would have taken me 10
years," giggles Balki, "So I just went ahead and put together Ki
& Ka. I met Kareena and Arjun and soon we were ready to hit the sets."
In the meantime, he made sure that the Bachchan connection
stayed on for his movie, despite the new 'jodi' of the two Kapoors.
Balki further reveals, "I said to Amitji that since he
and Jayaji had forced me to write the film, they now had to be a part of Ki
& Ka. They feature in a very special appearance. You would see that
eventually, they are in the center of the narrative."
Still, considering the fact that the three movies so far revolved
completely around Amitabh Bachchan, didn't Balki miss the legend's presence for
a large part of Ki & Ka shoot?
"Well, if you ask me about missing him then I miss him
all the time. It is not just on the sets but when I am in my car or even at home.
However, you adjust to that and move on. That said, I am sure you would love
what you see of him in the film," promises Balki.
We would indeed once the movie releases all over on 1st
April.