Tusshar Kapoor: Aunties love films like Mastizaade and Kya Kool!

Tusshar Kapoor turns 39 today. The actor who has bowled the audiences with his stellar comic acts in different films is all set to turn up the heat with two back to back adult comedies- Mastizaade and Kya Kool Hai Hum 3. Before his birthday, we corner him for a quick chat. Excerpts:

Many actors have inhibitions about acting with Sunny Leone. Did you ever apprehend something similar?
I was very fond of Sunny right from the SAW (Shootout at Wadala) days when we filmed the Laila song together. In fact, I was the one who told Ekta and Sanjay Gupta to see to it that she only does the song. I always thought she will be one of the most popular faces here. I cannot talk of other actors but I feel Indian audience is the most liberal and accepting for anyone who's good on screen. Sunny is beautiful and a camera friendly face. I almost spearheaded the promotion of Ragini MMS 2. She is where she needs to be. People try to pull down everyone. Whether you are a Sunny Leone or you are a starkid, if you come with a lot of hype, people will try to pull you down. Audiences care about what they see on screen so there was no question about doing Mastizaade as well. Of course, I was offered the film first and I did it because Milap was the director. Sunny and Vir came in shortly but it's been a riot.

Do you somewhere feel these kind of films which were considered risks before are now more of a norm in Bollywood?
They have! People keep saying our audiences are not ready for it. But ever since Kya Kool 1 came, it has been ten years and there has been a huge audience for these kind of films too. You will be surprised to see the amount of people who like these films. They might not go with their families but they go in groups to watch these movies. Women especially love such films. The aunties, the young girls, in addition to the youth and masses, will go to a multiplex to watch a Masti or a Kya Kool Hai Kum. They will love films like Mastizaade and Kya Kool Hai Hum 3 as well. And I believe just one thing. No matter how shocking something is, it won't work if the thread of the story isn't there. You cannot run a film purely on jokes. You need to have the performance, the storyline, everything. Otherwise it won't work.

And the audience too is becoming more accepting of the same…
We have had adult comedis before too which weren't full on sex comedies, maybe. We , as an adueince, are very liberal. It's just that we aren't ready to face or see what we really enjoy doing when we are not being watched by others. India isn't a backward race because we are the land of Kamasutra. We are just too political, watch our words, do something and say something else. Audience has always been ready but it took us time to gradually come out and accept it as a society.

You've always been appreciated in your comic avatar. Is it the reason why you veer towards these films?
I enjoy doing films like Mastizaade or a Kya Kool Hai Hum because it's in a very happy space. Also, I know I've been liked in this zone so it makes me feel happy. It gives you a high. These are stress-buster kind of movies.

Given the Censorship today is much talked about, because of his strict guidelines, weren't you guys anticipating an issue with the film's bold content?
It's an adult comedy and it's in the American Pie zone sure. We always anticipated the fact that the Censor will have certain issues with certain scenes, which is part of their job and they are doing what they have. So we filmed extra material, we had shot for 5-10 minutes more presuming that there will be a few cuts. And like we thought, there have been a few cuts and the time that it has taken is only because of the process that goes into it. The film is amazing and I think the audience for a Grand Masti or a Kya Kool Hai Hum will lap it up with open arms and won't be disappointed.

Also there have been a lot of disparities in the way the Censor has been functioning. While they allow words like bastard, they are chopping off saala. Your take on the same.
I don't think so because each film has to be looked at individually. The little that I know from what I have heard at the screenings, they are following certain guidelines. The Censor is doing their job and I respect their job. There's so much thought going into what needs to be censored and what doesn't. After all, at the end of the day, the CBFC is also doing it for the benefit of our society, our culture and I'm sure they have a lot of pressure. So I wouldn't compare it like that. It depends on the requirement of such lines in the context. It's very easy to say but very difficult to be in the chair and take decisions.

So finally Mastizaade has been censored?
Mastizade has been censored and the producers are planning a good release date for the film now. That's the work that's going on.

It took a lot of time for you guys to get the film censored!
We are happy we have received our Censor certificate. Der se ho but durust ho. It's a process eventually and it does take a bit of time. The CBFC has not interfered with our creative vision. Whatever CBFC has done is done keeping the benefit of the film in mind. They have been very fair and we are thankful they worked with us.

Does Grand Masti's stupendous box office success give you more confidence to try out something like this?
Obviously, our film is of a similar genre and we have one huge advantage. So this time we have boys like we have in Grand Masti. But we have a huge heroine in the form of Sunny Leone. It's two strong things coming together. I don't know if one film really helps the other but the poster and promo will tell you it belongs to the same space. That recall value will help for sure.