Aishwarya is pillar of Fanne Khan, can't see film happening without her: Anil Kapoor

Mumbai: After just one release last year and none a year before that, Anil Kapoor is having one of his busiest years, with four films lined up this year, ‘Fanne Khan’, ‘Race 3’, ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga’ and ‘Total Dhamaal.’

While Race 3 brings him back to the franchise, the interesting bit about the other three releases is his reunion with leading ladies Aishwarya Rai Bachchan after ‘Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai’, Madhuri Dixit Nene after ‘Lajja’ and Juhi Chawla after ‘Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate.’

Talking about it in an interview to DNA, Anil said, “I am very happy that all of them agreed to do the films. I can’t see ‘Fanne Khan’ happening without Aishwarya. I have done 'Taal' and 'Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai' with her earlier. Both were successful and appreciated. In 'Fanne Khan', she is not opposite me, but she is the pillar of the film.

“Madhuri and I are chhapa and kaata in ‘Total Dhamaal’ — two sides of the same coin! Madhuri alone will not be correct for the comedy and I alone will not be the same without her.

“As far as Juhi is concerned, I feel I should have done more work with her. When I used to meet her, I would say ‘Juhi, main tere saath zyaada kaam nahin kar saka, mujhe teen-chaar aur films karni chahiye.’ It was so much fun working with her. I did a few films with her ('Benaam Badshah' and 'Loafer' to name a few), but none of them became big hits. So, when she agreed to do ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha’, I got really excited, because her smile, voice and comic timing is very special. We have few scenes in the film, but hopefully after this I’ll act in more movies with her.”

“I am fortunate I got an opportunity to work with these beautiful girls, who have made a mark in their personal and professional lives. They carry themselves so beautifully that working with them is an honour. They will make these three films special by being in them.”

Meanwhile, his children’s films ‘Veere Di Wedding’, starring Sonam and produced by Rhea and ‘Bhavesh Joshi Superhero’ featuring Harshvardhan both released this Friday.

“Yes, it was wonderful. This month has been quite exciting. Earlier in May, there was Sonam’s wedding and June 1 saw both 'Bhavesh Joshi Superhero'(BJS) and 'Veere Di Wedding' (VDW) releasing on the same day. Both are different films. What I am happy about is that both have a made a mark in a different way. One (VDW) has got critical and commercial success, while the other (BJS) has got critical acclaim but not the box office numbers. The most important thing is people have appreciated Harshvardhan’s work. He has an entire lifetime left to do more films and achieve success,” he replied.

Both of Harshvardhan’s films ‘Mirzya’ and ‘Bhavesh Joshi Superhero’ have not been out-and-out commercial ventures. Will Anil advise him to venture into that that space as well? “I also did exactly what he is doing. I did 'Vamsa Vruksham' (Telugu) first (1980) and Mani Ratnam’s Kannada film 'Pallavi Anu Pallavi' (1983). I also did MS Sathyu’s 'Kahan Kahan Se Guzar Gaya' (1981). 'Woh Saat Din' came much later. Similarly, Sonam started with 'Saawariya' and then did 'Delhi 6.' She was appreciated in them, but they did not get box office numbers. The scary part is when you are not being appreciated and it doesn’t do well commercially, either. That gets tricky. However, if people say aapne zabardast kaam kiya, but the movie doesn’t fare well, it’s not in your hands. You’ve to do your work with conviction. So, whatever Harshvardhan does next will hopefully get the numbers. We, Sonam and I —  are all improving ourselves as actors and doing better films. It’s an ocean, there is room for improvement for all of us, why only newcomers?”

Anil will next be seen in ‘Race 3’ that hits the theatres on 15 June.