Celina Jaitley spoke with Subhash K Jha about 20 years since her Anees Bazmee film No Entry, which starred Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan, Fardeen Khan, Bipasha Basu, Esha Deol, and Lara Dutta released.
How do you look back on the experience?
20 years ago, No Entry walked into people’s hearts and never left. This film was more than just a blockbuster comedy, it became a part of our lives, our laughter, our memories. Grateful to have been a part of this journey with such an incredible team and blessed to still receive so much love for it even after two decades. It is hard to believe that two decades have gone by since this film first lit up cinema halls and still continues to bring smiles across generations. No Entry will always remain special, not just for its incredible success but for the journey it gave me.
What was your camaraderie like with the rest of the cast?
With the men it was a great professional camaraderie limited only to the set. But with the women we had a blast. Bipasha Basu and I went back to our Kolkata days. She was my senior as a model and we caught up on old times. Lara Dutta and Esha Deol too, and that bond of sisterhood has carried on till today. We saw each other through babies, marriage even loosing near and dear ones. That is something I will always cherish deeply.
What was Anees Bazmee like as a director?
If I had to single out one person who made this journey truly memorable, it would be our director Anees Bazmee. He is a master of comedy and a master writer, and working under his direction was nothing short of a masterclass in timing, improvisation, and energy. His vision and brilliance are what made No Entry the timeless laughter riot it still is. There are two others I must single out.
Jee, boliye?
A very special mention of Anil Kapoor. Working with him was inspiring in every sense. His professionalism, energy, and sheer brilliance elevated every frame he was in. Watching him at work was a lesson in itself. And also to the incredible Boman Irani. I was in complete awe of him, not only as an actor but also as a personality. His presence left a lasting impression on me.
The sequel is on the anvil. But you are not in it?
I was deeply saddened to know that the original cast will not be a part of No Entry Part 2. I truly feel that the original cast, shown in the parallel timeline of the story so many years down the line, would have made a phenomenal impact on how the film is received. It would have been amazing to see how Sanjana and Sunny’s story evolved twenty years later, with hilarious comedy woven seamlessly with Anees Bazmee’s magical comic sense, writing, and direction. Lara and Anilji’s characters, which were also loved immensely, Bipasha’s unforgettable character, Esha’s charm, and of course Salman being Salman, the audience would absolutely have loved seeing the progress of these characters through another stage of life.
