In theaters now is the sequel to the superhit film Yamla Pagla Deewana and it once again features the wonderful iconic Dharmendra as well as sons Bobby and Sunny Deol. Yamla Pagla Deewana 2, directed by Sangeeth Sivan, though a sequel, is not a continuation of the story. It is in fact a completely different film. Produced by the Deols, they say this film is very entertaining. Cineworld Cinemas Bollywood Editor, and BBC London/WM Indian cinema expert Ashanti Omkar was lucky enough to chat with all three of the stars and we have some great quotes from her interviews! Check it out!
Dharmendra revealed that the path that led them to making both YPD1 and YPD2 was to make the audience laugh, “After Apne, a thought came to us that Apne was such an emotional picture. People loved it and I felt that they loved me in it and when we were watching in the cinemas we stopped at, I could see their reactions through their tears. When people came out of the theatres I asked a few how they liked the picture and they said it’s very good, but you made us weep and weep and cry. So I said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll give you something nice – some comedy to make you laugh and laugh and laugh’, without knowing if we would get a subject or not. So Sunny, Bobby and I decided to look for a good script for a comedy, of course with a tinge of emotion in it. Then this idea of YPD 1 came and luckily it clicked; and after that we started to think about Yamla Pagla Deewana 2. It’s something that happens in the industry – to continue with the same title and different scripts. YPD 2 is not the sequel, but a totally different script. Our characters are the same. Two con-men and one nice gentleman!”
Bobby added, “People enjoyed our chemistry and characters, so it was a good idea to give them a different setting and new storyline.”
The film was shot extensively in the UK and Dharmendra talked about the shoot, “We picked England, as we wanted something different; the last movie was set in Punjab, with green fields. Our prey this time is a very rich UK-based Indian – we’ve come all the way to con him. The UK shoot was lovely, despite it being very, very cold. The locales and the warmth of the people kept us going. It is beautiful countryside and I love the UK! As there are so many South Asian people here, we never felt that we were away from India.”
About filming on location in the UK, Sunny said, “I always wanted to do something in the UK and this gave me the opportunity. We have shot everything in Birmingham and Leicester and it was tedious, but exciting – as it was our own home production, we had to run around, doing and fixing various things. We had three months in the UK and irrespective of the weather we still managed to complete our shoot.”
Bobby revealed that he really enjoyed the cities of Birmingham and Leicester! “London is a place I usually stay at on my trips to the UK. But after this film shoot, I got very attached to Birmingham and Leicester also and I enjoyed things like street markets, shopping…Wagamama in Leicester was like a canteen to me, I’d go there nearly every day! And there were so many South Asians in these areas, so it was like home.”
One of the biggest hits, even before the film released, was Dharmendra’s number to ‘Tinku Jiya’. Talking about that dance Sunny said, “I was sitting and analyzing why audiences love my Dad’s dance – I realized that he enjoys it so much, it is infectious! Most people like to enjoy the rhythm and just dance, and not think about perfect steps or choreography. It’s all been such fun!”
To Dharmendra Ashanti said, “You believe strongly in the concept of infinite love and sharing joy…” To that he gave this amazing reply, “It all comes from the response of the people. I’ve given them love through my films and they have reciprocated. In my personal life also, I am born to love and to be loved. That’s my nature – I give and get it back. It is the strength of my soul. Everyone likes to be admired, I guess. I believe that you all own me and that I own you all – our relationship is such. Sometimes it feels like it’s thicker than real relationships in life. Even if you’re so far away from me and I’m so far away from you, I feel it and that reflects in me. God bless all of you!”
