EXCLUSIVE: Superstar Siddharth Randeria assures his Gujarati film Bachubhai is not like Munna Bhai MBBS; talks highly of his Satyaprem Ki Katha co-stars Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani: “They are very down to earth and dedicated to their work. They had no starry airs”

He’s called the Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan of Gujarati cinema. One of his films has been running in cinemas for more than 4 years and will continue to do so for many more years, a la Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995). Just like Akshay Kumar is synonymous with the Khiladi series, he has the successful Gujjubhai series to his credit. And now Siddharth Randeria is gearing up for Bachubhai, which releases in cinemas today. The superstar of Gujarati cinema and Gujarati theatre exclusively spoke to Bollywood Hungama about his latest release, backed by Jio Studios, working in Satyaprem Ki Katha and a lot more.

You must be offered several films regularly. What made you choose Bachubhai? Yes, you are right that a lot of films indeed get offered to me. But I always insist that I want to hear the storyline. Even if the script is not ready, it’s fine. I had heard Bachubai’s idea in a nutshell almost 4 ½ years ago. Manan Desai of Comedy Factory had written it along with Chirayu Mistry and Om Bhatt. I realized that this can be an interesting project as it’s a little different. Then they started work on the script. Some changes were made. Once it was fully developed, we all went on floors.

Speaking about changes, was there an effort made to ensure that it doesn’t look like Munna Bhai MBBS (2003). After all, Bachubhai also goes back to college and has a confrontation with the principal... Bachubai is not like Munna Bhai at all. Also, there’s a misconception that our film is about education. It’s about how a common man’s life takes a turn when he is compelled to go to college to finish his education.

How was it sharing screen presence with Apara Mehta? I don’t think both of you worked together in a film… No, we have never worked together. However, we have known each other for 25-30 years. Hence, that comfort level was always there.

In a scene in Bachubhai, you have given an ode to Allu Arjun’s character in Pushpa (2021). It seems synonymous to what you do in plays wherein you keep updating dialogues to incorporate the latest trends… (Laughs) Yes, I do. When we were shooting, the craze for Pushpa was insane and hence it was added.

How do you react to the fact that you are called the Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan of Gujarati cinema? (Smiles) It doesn’t bother me at all. It doesn’t even go to my head. I just look forward to my next film or the next drama. I immerse myself completely in it. I get a lot of love from people, which is heartening. On my part, I ensure I don’t cut corners. I always try to give variety. My last release, Bushirt T-Shirt (2023), was also a very unusual subject but different from Bachubhai.

Which are your upcoming films? I have two more releases this year. Bushirt T-Shirt is out. It’s running well. After Bachubhai, I have a film with Everest Studio.

We have seen South cinema taking giant strides and its films being watched by people on an all-India level. What do you think Gujarati cinema should do so that its reach increases? Barring Malayalam, the other South industries make larger-than-life films. The reason why Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan has generated so much buzz is because it looks like a film for the big screen. but that’s possible when more than Rs. 200 crores are pumped into a film. Here, we are struggling to raise Rs. 3 crores! In such a minuscule amount, we try to give as much entertainment as possible. The figures don’t permit us (to go larger-than-life). Look at the Punjabi cinema industry. It has gone much ahead than the Gujarati industry. Their films are able to collect Rs. 50 crores. That’s because they have a huge market in India as well as internationally.

Hence, I feel that Gujarati audiences should show a little more enthusiasm. In a year, hardly 2 or 3 films have done extremely well. I agree that not all films are worth watching. But if 10 films are well-made and if all 10 of them get the love and success they deserve, the producers, too, will be motivated to think bigger. I see this happening with the Marathi industry. Baipan Bhari Deva (2023), for instance, is doing blockbuster business. Even the non-Marathi audience is going for it. We need that kind of support. The Gujarat market gets too segmented. From Vapi, our films are seen up to Porbandar. If all these centres show a little more love, we can come up with better films with better budgets.

You recently played the role of Kiara Advani’s father in Satyaprem Ki Katha. What feedback did you get for the role? The feedback was very positive. As a character actor, I did my work but for the lead actors, the figures matter to prove their worth, especially for Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani, who returned after Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022). That way, it has stood up to expectations.

How was it to work with Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani? It was a very excellent and pleasant experience. They are very down-to-earth and dedicated to their work. They had no starry airs. Bollywood has changed a lot. The new age actors are educated. They respect the script, their co-artists and directors. Also, the competition is quite cut-throat. No one takes things for granted. Earlier, Hindi film actors would sign 25 films in one go. Nowadays, we see actors working on just 1 film for even 2 or 2 ½ years.

Your 2019 film, Chaal Jeevi Laiye, is the biggest Gujarati blockbuster. It has been running in cinemas since 2019. Does it surprise you? Of course, it does. But I continuously wonder when it’ll release on an OTT platform.

Why do you say so? Because 10 times more people will get access to the film. I had spoken to the producers about it but it seems like they are not going to put the film on digital in the near future.

The Marathi remake of Chaal Jeevi Laiye is ready and Nana Patekar is going to reprise your role… Yes, and it feels great to know. I am a fan of Nana Patekar’s work.

Like Gujjubhai, do you think Bachubhai can also transform into a successful series? If the studio decides, then yes, why not? Bachubhai, like Gujjubhai, also represents a common man. Gujjubhai, nevertheless, was never planned. But later, it became a brand over the years with 12 dramas and 2 films to its credit (smiles).

 

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Also Read: Kiara Advani reveals her early connection to Satya Prem Ki Katha” before Covid; says, “It was in my destiny to be Katha”

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