Rishi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan have a great chemistry, says Umesh Shukla

Umesh Shukla made a rather strong impression with his debut directorial Oh My God. Now, he’s managed a coup of sorts by casting Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor together in 102 Not Out.

The trailer explores two vastly different sides of people in the last legs of their life. The unusual father-son story seems like a caper, and Umesh reveals that the casting was pretty smooth.

“When the writer and I went and narrated the idea to both of them, they said okay within ten minutes,” Umesh smiles. “Once they knew the essence is so good, beautiful and playful, and has a lot of depth and emotions, they liked it all.”

He adds that the mood on the sets was perfect. “As far as their chemistry is concerned, it was great. Not once did I think that I’d have to set the chemistry between them. They were both very comfortable with each other,” he says.

While Rishi plays an old man, who has come to terms with his 75-year-old self, his father played by Amitabh is a 102-year-old man, still young at heart. Umesh reveals that a lot of research went into their make up and look.

“We researched a lot and came up with a lot of references, like the kind of clothes Gujarati people wear, and their appearance. It took us a lot of work to get the right look for them.”

As far as the story of the film goes, Umesh says, “I want to tell audiences to live life to the fullest; one should live it kind size. Deal with whatever problems come your way. At the age of 80, you can live like a 20-year-old and vice versa. At any age, you can play and be a happy person. The film is very young and is a pure comedy. It’s an ageless comedy that releases on May 4.”