The film Boomerang, starring Jeet and Rukmini Maitra, has hit the box-office jackpot with its innovative story idea, humour and commendable performances. Directed by Sauvik Kundu, Boomerang’s story structure comes from the play Punoray Ruby Ray. Recently Jeet and Rukmini got together to talk about the success of the film as filmmaker Shiboprosad Mukherjee turned interviewer for t2! Excerpts from the chat.

Shiboprosad: Jeet, why did you think of Rukmini to play Nisha and Isha?

Jeet: We had first thought of Rukmini for Switzerland. We had a good experience of working with her. She is very committed.
Shiboprosad: This was a difficult role in Boomerang.
Jeet: Then we thought of Rukmini for Boomerang. Also, Sauvik shares a comfort zone with Rukmini after Switzerland. The same goes for us. She did a lot of workshops with Monalisa who played her role in the play.

Shiboprosad: Rukmini, did you have any hesitation when you got to know that you’ll be sporting a bald look (for a scene)?

Rukmini: When some people feel that something is my weakness, it becomes my strength. As a model, I have done many experimental looks. I am used to seeing myself in various looks. Growing up, I have seen many supermodels sport the bald look. Initially, the bald look was not a part of the script. It was added suddenly. I told Sauvik that I do not have any inhibition regarding that. But will you keep the scene, that was my question... since a ‘heroine’ was flaunting the look for a mainstream film. Sauvik said that he’ll keep it. On that day, maybe my model self took precedence over my acting self. I felt so comfortable and confident... we feel that in movies our fans should copy our most glamorous look. But in my career, Nisha’s bald look has been replicated the most by my fans.
Shiboprosad: It went viral.

Shiboprosad: Fas would love to know about a few funny incidents that took place on the sets of Boomerang.

Rukmini: I took time to learn how to cycle. It was just not happening. I avoided it for a long time. Finally, I did the scene and I rode a kids’ cycle with two extra wheels for support... it went very well with the scene (featuring Nisha, the robot). It was my last day on set and it was my last shot. While shooting for the scene I would fall constantly. Then we spotted a team of IPL players... all foreigners. They had stopped in their tracks. Initially, I thought they were looking at me! Then I realised that they were laughing out loud. They were floored. It was quite embarrassing for me.
Jeet: My character has a line in the film where he says, ‘Nisha r Bangla ta thik ashe na.’ And when Rukmini was playing Isha, she had a line that goes, ‘Bhaja maach ta ulte khete jane na.’ And (the irony is) she kept saying: ‘Bhaaja maach ulteo khete jane na!’
Rukmini: No, no. Maybe I was saying, ‘Bhaaja ulto maach ta khete jaane na!’

Shiboprosad: Your film Boomerang released on the same day as Prosenjit’s Ajogyo. Did you think of avoiding the clash? Did you have a word with him? Or was there an understanding between the two of you?

Jeet: Because this content is for t2, it doesn’t mean that you’ll behave like a journo! The answer is... there are thousands of films being made in India. Every Friday there are releases of 15 films or series. Two-three Bengali films are released in a week. During festivals, the numbers go up. This challenge will be there and this will stay in the system. We have to move ahead with this.

Shiboprosad: Did you wish each other on the day of the release?

Jeet: Yes... through text. The reality is that we have respect, regard and love for each other. Shibu is here because he feels that it is important to talk about Boomerang since it is a good film.
Shiboprosad: I believe that the time has come for everyone to come together and do something.
Jeet: True.

Shiboprosad: Why did you decide to release Boomerang in Nandan in the second week?

Jeet: We did not submit the film in the first week. We were contemplating... there were a few dialogues and we were not sure how people will react to that. But people have taken it very nicely, very sportingly. People enjoyed it. So we immediately decided to release it... so it is better late than never.

Shiboprosad: In the film, there is a scene where photographs of three popular Bengali actors are shown to Isha as part of a svayamvara sabha. Were there other actors on that list?

Rukmini: I don’t know what Sauvik had in mind but these three were there!
Shiboprosad: In the film, you didn’t have anything to say for the third one on the list. You avoided it.
Rukmini: Because he doesn’t fall in the svayamvara. And he is also not allowed to go to a svayamvara. The scene was done beautifully.
Shiboprosad: It was so well-thought-out. It was really a surprise.
Jeet: The writing has been nice there.
Shiboprosad: The script and the dialogues are beautiful. Rukmini is the surprise of the film. People will remember your performance.
Rukmini: Thank you.

Shiboprosad: Jeet, tell me something... the heroine has the main role in the film. Then why was your solo image used in the first poster?

Jeet: It was a director’s call... and I thought it was justified because I have a journey of more than two decades... there is a fan base who expect something from me... so I went with the director’s vision.
Shiboprosad: Jeet is a mass hero... the way he has created space for Rukmini is excellent.

Shiboprosad: Tell us about one boomerang moment in your life.

Rukmini: I never thought that I would become an actress. The irony is that I have become an actress and I am sitting here with Jeet Sir and Shiboprosad. This is a pleasant boomerang moment. The greatest love stories are born out of chance, which is acting for me. This is the best boomerang that ever could be.
Jeet: Life can surprise you every day. The fun of life is that we do not know what is in store for us. Life is unpredictable... sometimes it gives you happiness and you find yourself in a favourable space. If a film works it is fine. If it doesn’t work, then it is a boomerang.

Shiboprosad: Rukmini, I’ll give you the name of a film... Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and you are playing Aishwarya’s role... (if it were made again) which roles would you like to see Jeet and Dev play?

Rukmini: Jeet Sir plays Ajay Devgn’s character and Dev plays Salman Khan’s.

t2: What’s been the fave compliment so far?

Jeet: The best part was the hall reactions... they were so organic. Everything ranged from good to very good. The feedback has been 100 per cent positive. I went to Nandan and was there with the audience for a few minutes ... and when the audience gets engrossed, involved and then laughs at the right time at the funny scenes... that vibration gives a different satisfaction.
Rukmini: Every character was so well-written, well-defined and well-executed.

t2: Apart from mannerisms, and body language, what sets Nisha apart from Isha in the close-ups is the lower half of her face... something was different around Nisha’s mouth. What make-up did you apply?

Rukmini: Though Nisha is a robot, Sauvik wanted a life-like feeling. I was doing look tests at home with my team. We tried lip-plumping balms but it didn’t work out... then I tried an old hack which I had learnt as a model. We mixed peppermint oil, cinnamon powder and a little bit of red chilli powder. Readers please do not try this at home... it is very risky. I would apply it around my mouth at night, and then do my scenes in the morning. Later we drew a brown line around the mouth to give the appearance of a doll-like mouth.

t2: It seems the cost of production of Boomerang, with its VFX, falls in the premium range. At a time when people are wrapping up shoots in 15 days, how is it possible for your production house to shoot a VFX-heavy film for 20-25 days?

Jeet: Certain films require a higher number of days. Also, it depends on the scale, mounting and director’s vision. We thought we needed to give this scale to justify it. We had a unique idea... a person creates a humanoid robot that looks like his wife and then a comedy of errors follows. We decided to support the director’s vision. I am glad people are liking it.