Actor Rahul Roy, who made his debut with 1990’s blockbuster Aashiqui as its leading man 23 years back, wonders why he was not invited to see Aashiqui 2 by film’s producer Mahesh Bhatt. “I have not seen the film; maybe it’s because I am no longer that close to Mahesh Bhatt sahib,” he said.
Roy once enjoyed good ties with the film-maker, but feels that he doesn’t have the same closeness with him anymore. “During the last 12 to 13, years we just drifted apart. If I had seen Aashiqui 2, I would be in a better position to comment on it,” he said. “As things stand, when I’m asked about it I can only guess. As far as I can see, there is very little connection between my Aashiqui and the remake, except that the shot of the lovers’ faces hidden in the coat. But the impact of that moment is so great that people immediately connected the two films. However, in my opinion nostalgia is impossible to beat. And like it or not, Aashiqui is in the region of nostalgia.”
Aashiqui 2, which released on April 26, stars Kunal Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor.
Roy believes the magic of his Aashiqui with actor Anu Agarwal can’t be recreated. “It’s bizarre; Aashiqui’s magic can’t be recreated. The music of Aashiqui by Nadeem-Shravan was unbeatable. However, I like the songs in Aashiqui 2.”
Talking about Bhatt, Roy said: “I’ve always treated him [Bhatt] like a father-figure. But I am no longer the 24-year-old boy I was during the making of Aashiqui. Fifteen years ago, I was deeply attached to Mahesh Bhatt and his banner Vishesh Films. I did five films with them; they were like my home turf. Every time I had a career low, I could go back to them. My dependence on Vishesh Films is gone. But that doesn’t mean my love and respect for them has also diminished.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2013.
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