Click to play videoThe young boy of Masoom Jugal Hansraj now returns as director of Yashraj's new animation film Roadside Romeo. The film which has stars like Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor lending their voice to animated characters for the first time releases this Diwali. Jugal Hansraj talks more about the film with CNN-IBN's Entertainment Editor, Rajeev Masand.
Rajeev Masand: What were the influences for the plot and the story of Roadside Romeo?
Jugal Hansraj: Lots actually. I have grown up watching a lot of mainstream Hindi movies like Amar Akbar Anthony, Don and later Hum Aapke Hain Kaun Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayeinge. I just love the good Hindi masala film concept. And I said lets just combine that with a lot of animation that I have seen and just have fun.
Rajeev Masand: In the West the practice of hiring movie stars to voice animated characters is a fairly standard practice. Here you hired Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Javed Jaffery to voice the principal characters in the film. What was the process like? It must have been a new experience for the actors.
Jugal Hansraj: When I was writing the characters, I was thinking I hope I can get Saif to do this character, Kareena to do the other character and Javed Jaffery for the third one. Luckily for me all three agreed instantly. When they used to come for dubbing I kinda explained that this is the scene and this is what seems to be done and then left them free. Of course and then we shoot them when we dub so their performance actually becomes a base for the animated character's performance.
Saif was really busy, but when he would come, he was really into the character and he would act and we are really fortunate for that.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter and Google+)
displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of CNN-IBN does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them.