Over the years Jeet has performed many eye-popping action sequences, which are strongly etched in the minds of the audience. In the past, when talking about the secret to pulling off dangerous action scenes, Jeet had told The Telegraph that it is important to stay calm. “I want to make it look authentic. I was hanging from a helicopter for a scene in Boss 2 and that was very risky,” he had said. This time Jeet takes the action to the next level in his April 29 film Raavan, which promises to be a feast for the eyes. “ The feedback is fantastic... people are showering a lot of love on the trailer and songs,” he says. The Telegraph chats with Jeet...
What made you say yes to Raavan?
The narrative. The director (MN Raj) had worked as an associate director in many films. He had conveyed his wish to direct. I had told him, ‘If you have something, let me know.’ He got in touch with us before the lockdown... we liked the story. Then we started working on it. In terms of production values we started thinking of scaling it up. We wanted to present a new set of visuals, which are stylised, to the audience. We got acclaimed technicians, a fight master and choreographer from the South. They are from the Kannada industry but they work pan-India. We had such a wonderful experience working with them.
When it comes to fight scenes, what do they bring to this film? What is their speciality in designing a fight scene?
We have many talented technicians in our industry but there is a void when it comes to churning out a steady stream of action films on a regular basis. We don’t see too many action films being made here. If they don’t get work, how can they prove their skill set.
For Raavan, we put in a lot of care and effort to develop the fight sequences. They were taking shots with so much precision. And they would never give up till they got their best shot. It takes a lot of time to get there. They worked so hard on the way it would look. They also designed the ambience.
You mentioned that it takes a lot of time to get there. So as a producer how do you deal with this aspect?
I only told them to take time so that we get the best result. It is very crucial. With the success of Raavan, we can take it up a notch higher in the next project.
How did you know that a new director will be able to pull off such an ambitious project?
I had seen him work. He is very hard-working. I liked his involvement towards his work. Of course our production house played a big role here.
But there is an outside perception that when there is a new director onboard, you actually direct certain portions of the film. Is it true?
No. I don’t direct. I have spent so much time in this industry... with this craft. I have learnt a few things... and I’m learning every day. And sometimes if I feel that my participation can add any value, then I add it.
What are your thoughts on the Bengali film industry right now?
It is in a good place... we have wonderful craftsmen, technicians and artistes. Ups and downs are there in every industry. People have their own definitions of mainstream cinema. But all of us know that mainstream cinema connects with the larger audience, and these films are the drivers of commerce, they drive the economy of the industry. It is our responsibility to restore that space.
The number of single-screen theatres has gone down...
Yes, but on a positive note, there is news that a bunch of theatres will be opening soon. That is a good sign. We have to operate with what we have right now. I am there for raising the bar of the industry, from content to infrastructure. We’ll try to crack it.
We also hear that your production house is currently focused on creating big-budget mainstream films...
I have a responsibility. We know that these genres of films have a wider audience. During lockdown, we were having these discussions at our office. Someone suggested that we bring down the budget. But I felt that would be the routine way of looking at things.
I feel when I make a film, the film has to be big. We can’t close budgets. If we have to spend on the budget, I’ll figure out a way. Everyone came on the same page and we decided to go big with Raavan. That’s why we got technicians from outside. The positive sign is that cine-goers are flocking to the theatres to watch films. The footfall has been humongous. We have seen how pan-Indian films like Pushpa, RRR and KGF Chapter 2 have rocked the box office.
How do you define this huge South wave at the box office?
For many years the South industry has been making an impact with their work, dedication... they have taken cinema to a different level. And I bow to some of the makers... for the way they have transformed the regional industry to a pan-India term. The gates have opened... and it is good for us also. We also have an opportunity to get a pan-India release.
Can we expect a pan-India film from you next?
I am working towards it. The market has opened. There is an opportunity right in front of you.
It can be dubbed in different languages...
Yes. If we can get those visuals, it is not so difficult. The first thing you need is the vision. That picture. We have to escalate it with our expertise.
Have you seen the three blockbusters?
Yes, Pushpa, RRR and KGF Chapter 2. I am a Rajamouli fan. But I also love Prashanth Neel’s films (KGF). I loved his vision. Yash and Neel have taken the Kannada industry to a different league.
In the future, can we expect a big-budget film where you, Dev and Prosenjit come together?
I am looking for the content. I am open to the idea.
How did you arrive at your look in Raavan?
There is Ram and Raavan in the film. We needed a contrast. We brain-stormed and came up with a reference from my own photographs. Finally the beard, the eyebrow-cut, lenses... everything came together. For the outfits we had initially thought that Raavan would arrive in separate outfits every time. But then we decided that he would appear in black.
There is a key sequence on the Howrah Bridge...
It was memorable. I shot for an action sequence on the Howrah Bridge for the first time. I had shot for a song sequence many years ago.
In the last two years, we have seen you venturing into television... being a celebrity judge....
It is part of the business. I enjoyed the experience... maybe I have added some value to it.