From Indiafm.com:

It was a challenge for me to maintain the standards of Mani Ratnam style of working - Vivek Oberoi speaks about Yuva

In an exclusive interview to IndiaFM, Vivek Oberoi speaks about his forthcoming movie Yuva.

You are working with so many stars like Ajay Devgan, Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee. Tell us something about your experience while working with them?

My interaction in the movie was more with my co-star Kareena, my director Mani sir, Ajay and Abhishek. I, Mani sir, Ajay and Abhishek enjoyed while working in this movie creating a light atmosphere full of fun. Ajay, Abhishek and Mani sir supported me morally just like real brothers would when I was being rushed to the hospital after having met with an accident. Even with a fracture in my leg, I continued flirting with the beautiful nurses of Calcutta and managed to fool the doctors with loud expressions of pain, which they thought was a result of head injury (When they saw my head totally drenched with blood.) But that was actually artificial blood, which was applied during the shoot before I met with an accident. Mani sir, Abhishek and Ajay made fun of me and continued to mimic me. It was only later when the case turned complicated and I was moved to Mumbai, I realized that my bone-marrow had shifted from its usual position into my lungs resulting in the collapse of my left lung. At that time I found it really difficult to breathe and it seemed as if I was drowning deep inside the pool. That experience was really very traumatic and full of pain. I still fear the moment when I was in I.C.U for nine days and nine nights. They called me often and visited me frequently when I was undergoing the traumatic phase of my life. They would make the atmosphere so lively that the entire hospital would brighten up with their presence. They showed a very genuine concern for me with the result that I saw our bond going stronger with each passing day. The discovery of this relationship is very special to me and shall always remain very special.

Mani Ratnam is said to be a tough nut to crack. Was it really very difficult working with him?

In physical sense it is difficult working with Maniji but at the same time you get immense satisfaction when you successfully accomplish the challenge he poses to you. At the same time working with Maniji provides an opportunity to an aspiring actor like me to prove myself. His inspiration provides you the thrill to enjoy thoroughly what you are doing. It provides you the high that is often required. As an actor, I feel there are two ways to perform. One is the common way of performing that we are all comfortable with and the other one is the Mani Ratnam style. He has always taught us that no amount of planning or practice shall suffice if the character you play has nothing unusual to attract the audience. He strongly believes in performing the same character in a new style that shall at the same time look natural and different from the usual stuff. We have even worked for 22 hours at a stretch. I remember the first schedule in Madras when we all were supposed to be on the sets by six. We got up at four and the shoot started exactly at six and continued till three at night. When I reached home, I was thrilled to receive Maniji's call apologizing for the last day's hectic schedule. I was dancing with joy when he told me that we would start the next day's shoot a little later than usual. But I received a strong blow when he further informed me that the shoot should start at 9 a.m sharp in the morning. It was also a challenge for us to work non-stop and maintain the standards of Mani-Ratnam style of working.

The markets nowadays demand multi-starrer film. What are the pros and cons of working in a multi starrer movie?

I do not believe that multi-starrer films are to be made just to fulfill the demands of the market. The screenplay and the style of this movie attempt to represent the different facets of the youths that form the masses. All the three different actors and actresses are a strong requirement of this film. Even a solo starrer film like Munnabhai M.B.B.S turned out to be super hit while many other multi-starrer films proved to be disasters at the box-office. As far as the pros and cons are concerned, working in a multi-starrer film is an experience that is really enjoyable be it while working with Ajay and Abhishek in Yuva or while working with Aftab, Ritesh and Ajay in Masti. On a personal level I feel, working with your friends is real fun that only multi-starrer movie makes it possible for you. Otherwise on business front, multi-starrer films do not gain much.

Do you find any difference between a star and an actor? Which one excites you more?

I have always believed that there is a demarcation between a star and an actor. From the very beginning with the choice of debut that I picked, I made it clear that I always wanted to be an actor. The stars belong to the skies whereas an actor feels better on earth. I enjoy the fact that each film provides me an opportunity to do something different without myself being trapped in any sort of image. I don't have to live up to certain expectations. In fact that provides me the liberty to break any mould and keep performing in different film and in different style. People were very skeptical for Saathiya after they saw my work in Company but Saathiya was a success. Next, they were not ready to accept my work in Masti and then all of a sudden even Masti picked up. So as an actor, my repute keeps growing exposing me to different challenges, different genre and different filmmakers.

Tell us something about the music of the film.

The music of Yuva is really wonderful and that's really obvious with the superb combination of A.R.Rahman' s music and Mani Ratnam' s excellent picturisation. My favorite song in the film is Anjaana Anjaani. The other songs of the movie mainly Fannah and the title track are equally superb. We enjoyed thoroughly while shooting for these songs, which were beautifully picturised by Mani Ratnam in his new, fresh and unique style.

How will you define the film?

Yuva is the story of a young boy who has always been indifferent to the existing scenarios and least bothered about others. The story of this boy takes an interesting turn when life offers him two influences to choose from - positive and negative. The story is about how he decides to opt for the path that is really difficult to undertake and how he completes his journey in search of himself and successfully accomplishes his inner self.

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Vivek Oberoi: 'Yuva' has been a bitter-sweet experience!

From Indiatimes.com (by Dominic Ferrao):

Vivek Oberoi has been in the news for all the wrong reasons - three injuries on the sets of his films 'Yuva' and 'Kisna'. Yeah, okay, he's been through a lot, but he's come right back to the sets again, willing to give it another go. "I've been three times lucky" - that's how the actor puts it.

'Lucky' is putting it mildly. One can still remember the rumours flying fast and furious about the deteriorating state of his health when he was in the ICU after a motorbike crash in Kolkata during a 'Yuva' shoot. We catch up with him just before the release of the Mani Ratnam film, working on which has been not only been traumatic for Oberoi, but also given him some sweet memories. The incidents have left their mark on the actor but, like the proverbial phoenix, he's only emerged stronger from the experience...

Three injuries in a row within a short span of time - why does this happen so often to you? Do you think you are taking unnecessary risks on the sets?

I don't think any actor or any person of sane mind - which I think I qualify for - would want to take any kind of unnecessary risks. At least, for me, I listen to what my director tells me. I listen to what my action director tells me. They give me something to perform, and I trust them and go for it. It is not my responsibility to look at the safety angle, because I am not a stunt man or a stunt director. I am not a technical person who understands the danger in it.

Did you have to push yourself into performing the same scenes all over again when you got back on the sets?

No, that was the beautiful part of it. Starting with Mani sir, and Abhishek and Ajay, they were so jovial, that they completely diffused the situation. Ajay began mimicking how I had the accident, how I held my leg, how I was limping around, and Abhishek began making jokes about something else. At the end of it, we had a whale of a time. I completely forgot about the pain, and in the evening I was so touched because I was over all the trauma, I just went up to these guys and hugged them and thanked them. It was amazing!

So, in spite of the unfortunate accident, you had a lot of fun shooting for 'Yuva' and also made fast friends of its entire cast?

Yes, doing 'Yuva' was a bitter-sweet experience. I enjoyed it, too. That's normally how I am. I make a lot of friends with every film I shoot for. I get friendly with the whole unit and it was no different with 'Yuva' - right from the director to the cameraman to the rest of the crew, and all my co-actors. I had a great time with Ajay, Abhishek, Mani sir, the female cast... And that is something I will cherish forever.

Talking of Mani Ratnam - he is known to draw the best from actors. How different is his style of working from that of other Bollywood directors?

When you talk about acting, I'd like to say there are two ways of acting - one is the normal way and one is the Mani Ratnam way. It's a world apart. It's brilliant. It's fantastic working with him. After you've done all your homework, you've worked on the lines all night, done your scene translations, rehearsed your performance... and then next morning when you go to him, he says, 'That's very good. But Vivek, now keep all that aside and start from scratch!' And initially there used to be a lot of confusion and I used to say, 'Sir, I thought this is the way to do it.' And then he'd push you, give you another idea, make you think. And the beauty of it is, you do come up with something good at the end! That is when I realised that Mani Ratnam had taught me that there is always another interesting way to do the same thing. Always. You just have to work hard; you just have to explore; you have to walk the unbeaten path. You have to try something new, and it will happen.

With all that serious stuff, we also heard that you guys enjoyed pulling pranks on each other...

Oh my god, I've got one too many to relate. I've played a lot of naughty, badmaash pranks. Like fudging up lines. One day, when we were shooting, Kareena was all ready with her lines as usual and all gung-ho to give her shot. And then I went up to her and said with a poker face, 'Oh, don't you know? The script has been changed. These dialogues are no longer in it.' And this is right before the shot. So she's flabbergasted. She was like, 'What! What are you talking about? They can't do this to me!' She completely panicked. And then when everyone reassured her that nothing of the sort had happened, she gave me one of those mock-withering looks and said, 'You! You are not to be trusted!' I laughed so much, I almost cried, and so did the others.

Was working in 'Yuva' as challenging as playing Chandu in 'Company'?

'Company' was different. It was uni-dimensional. In that way, yes, it was more challenging. But the main thing about 'Yuva' is that it is the normal story of a normal guy. And you see such interesting things - you see how he grows from being completely nonchalant and uninterested in anything beyond himself into being something amazing. You actually see him evolving; you see him becoming stronger as a person, which is beautiful. I'm sure the audience will love it.

How would you rate your performance in 'Yuva'?

I'm very happy with my work in 'Yuva'. It looks easy, but it is so difficult to play a normal character and make it look real, interesting, fun, fascinating, exciting, vibrant - so many different things. At the risk of sounding immodest, I think it's by best work ever.

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Vivek Oberoi: Acting the Mani Ratnam way!

From Rediff.com:

'Mani Ratnam is a genius.'

'My role was challenging.'

'All three actors from the Tamil version are good friends of mine.'

'I hope Yuva will be memorable.'

'Kareena is fun to work with.'

The excitement in Vivek Oberoi's tone is hard to miss in his interview to India Abroad's Deputy Managing Editor Vaihayasi P Daniel. Excerpts:

Yuva has been a fascinating experience because of the master of cinema: Mani Ratnam. He [Ratnam] is one of the best talents that India has ever produced. It has been a great experience working with him.

I have never performed a character like this [Arjun Balakrishnan] who does not have any direction. He represents the masses, the youth in India, which is indifferent to most political issues. They [the youth] are not politically conscious [or] awakened. He [my character] is very self-serving and selfish. His whole drive is very individualistic. He does not think about what he can do for others, only what he can get for himself. He is not good. He is not bad. He is not polarised. He thinks he has got it all figured out. But the film reveals that there is a certain inherent goodness and nobility that comes out. How he polarises them. And, by the end of the film, how his stand on things, his perspective of things change.

It [playing the character] was challenging. It was different to do a film like Yuva. Because there are two ways to act - one way is the regular way to act and one is Mani Ratnam's way.

He is a genius. What is amazing is that he throws up a challenge all the time. You have practised something. You have been given a scene. You have worked it out for yourself. You have rehearsed it a number of times. You have worked on the lines. You have thought how you are going to deliver. You have thought how you are going to mechanically work out the entire scene in your head. Then you have gone there. You have done it. And he says, 'Great, fabulous, I love it. It is damn good. But now that we have this, how about trying something completely different? Whatever you have done, leave it all aside. Try something different from everything that you have done.' You have put in everything you have got into that [scene]. Now, you have to try and find something that is totally different and apart from what you just did. It is challenging. It is interesting. It gives you a fresh perspective on everything.

What is amazing about him [Mani Ratnam] is that he plans so brilliantly and executes so perfectly. What is amazing is that he still leaves enough room for spontaneity. As an actor, I love improvising. I love bringing stuff that was never in the script out. Try to add on stuff, you know? And to have a director who is so confident and assured enough to be able to decide what he wants to keep and what he doesn't. [He is not] somebody who is not insecure enough to say, 'No, no, let's go by the book, let's go by the book, by the rules. This is exactly how it has to be done.' He is not like that. In spite of being so well planned and well organised, he leaves enough room for spontaneity.

He is a wonderful human being, a great guy. I had so much fun working with him. He has different moods. He is a lot of fun. He has a great sense of humour. In spite of being so much older than I am, he makes me feel like we are the same age. The way he behaves, the entire attitude, the way he interacts, it makes you feel that the generation gap does not exist. He just thinks, behaves and acts. He is so hip and cool.

Mani Sir had seen Company. He really liked that. He had seen Saathiya, which was written by Mani Ratnam. He also produced the film. He was very impressed with my work. He had been telling me that he wants to do something [a film] with me. I said, 'It will be an honour.' He called me and gave me the script. I think I was the first actor on that film [Yuva] to be confirmed. That was the best part. I was really honoured to know that the first person to be picked for a part was me.

I was really kicked about the idea. He called me and gave me the script. I read through it. I freaked out on the script. I told him all the roles are so brilliant that I would do anyone of them. Then he told me which one he wants me to do. I loved it. I went for it.

I have met Siddharth [who plays Oberoi's role in the Tamil version Aayitha Ezhuthu]. I met him before too. He is a really cool and fun guy. All the actors [Siddharth, Surya and Madhavan] from the Tamil version, all three of them, are very good friends of mine. Madhavan is a very good friend of mine. Surya is a very good friend of mine. Siddharth is a very good friend of mine. They are all very good friends.

The Hindi film was shot and completed first. And then they [the makers] commenced the Tamil shooting. We hung out together. Every time we [actors] were down in Chennai, we hung out with a lot of the Tamil actors, which was great fun. They would drop in on the sets. We would say hi and meet up.

I hope it [Yuva] will be memorable for reasons other than the accident. I worked with Kareena [Kapoor] for the first time. She is fun to work with. She is a talented actress.

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From Sify.com (by Subhash K Jha):

...So after Masti, do you think audiences will accept you in the serious role of Yuva?

Most certainly. Why not? Audiences come to see characters, not stars doing specific things... or so I'd like to believe. My conscious effort has always been to break away from the boxes I'm put in. From Company I went to Saathiya which no one expected from me. When I decided to do a sex comedy like Masti everyone was aghast. I went by my own conviction. Again, in Yuva I'm completely different from what I'm in my next release Kyun Ho Gaya Na. I don't want audiences to say, 'Oh he's done that already!' It's convenient to fall into the image trap. But I hate to be summarized in one word, unless that word happens to be 'versatile'..ha ha.

What's Yuva about?

Like Masti, Yuva is also a three-hero film. It addresses itself to the youth's problems through three character. The first played by Ajay Devgan is the scrupulous conscientious kind who's looking at defining and galvanizing the nation's youth. The second character played by Abhishek Bachchan is the grab and-run ruthless kind. In the last segment comes me, Arjun Balakrishnan... the complete bindaas worry-shrugging happy-go-lucky guy who isn't serious about anything in life.

I'm so glad Mani Sir wanted me only for this character. There's so much energy in him. He has a lust for life and he's commitment-phobic. He'd like to believe he's a superficial dude. He believes looking out for one's own interest is the solution to all the world's problems. He wants to earn big bucks, and walk with a blonde and a brunette on both arms. I fell in love with my mast character. My character is very different from Ajay and Abhishek. I play a cool guy who undergoes a strange change. He suddenly discovers a selfless streak in himself. That disturbs him. I love the growth in my character. Incidentally I play a guy called Arjun in my next release Kyun Ho Gaya Na too.

Like Masti, Yuva is about male bonding.

Yeah. But then there are different kinds of male bonding. Shooting Yuva I discovered two brothers. Ajay and I go back a long way. And Abhishek is a cool dude. When I had my accident on the bridge in Kolkata a very special bonding happened among us, and our director Mani Ratnam. You know, after the accident there was a comedy of errors. The driver took us to the wrong hospital. When we reached there they said, 'Sorry, this a heart hospital.' I was laughing in my pain. I went into the right hospital joking with Abhishek, flirting with all the Kolkata nurses and pulling the doctors' legs. Then the rest... back to Mumbai, lung collapse.

The friendship with Ajay, Abhishek and Mani Sir who kept inquiring about my recovery, was the best part of Yuva. The most difficult thing for me was to go back to that bridge in Kolkata to shoot. It was scary. All the memories of trauma in the hospital came back to me. My co-stars and director eased my tension by mimicking my pain after the fracture. I couldn't stop myself from laughing. All my tension dissolved. I returned from Kolkata a richer man.

How's Mani Ratnam as a director?

It's such a privilege and honour to work with him. The first time he called was after Company was released. He said 'Good job.' Then he called to congratulate for Saathiya and said he'll call me again very soon. When he called for Yuva I was shocked. I was dancing like an excited school kid. I was the first guy to be called, to read the script. And the character I loved the most was mine. There're two ways to act. One is the ordinary way and the other is the Mani Ratnam way. He pushes you so hard to improve yourself. He'll congratulate you for a shot and then quietly say, 'Let's do it again.' And everything looks so different in a Mani Ratnam film. Mine and Kareena Kapoor's love story. It's so interesting.

Is there room for romance in Yuva?

I think the love story between Kareena and me brings in a lot of effervescence in the plot. Kareena is brilliant in Yuva. I remember the first day of shooting when Mani Sir calmly wanted her to be different from her usual self. But she didn't know what he wanted her to do! I knew exactly what she was feeling. I told her to relax. I knew Yuva would be her most outstanding performance to date, and I was right. She's so real and interesting to watch. She's done a great job. We shared a terrific comfort level. Kareena and I bonded immediately. When we shot at sea for the Anjaana song she was seasick half the time. I was taking care of her throughout, pulling her to the shore, and pulling her back for the shot before she threw up again.

Is Yuva a step ahead for you?

Definitely. I think Yuva is my best performance to date. I'm also looking forward to the release of Subhash Ghai's Kissna by year-end.

'I am today's woman -- very independent, very bindaas'

From Rediff.com:

Esha Deol is the only star from Yuva who is also acting in the film's Tamil version, Aayutha Ezhuthu. It began with a phone call from director Mani Ratnam's actor-filmmaker wife, Suhasini, who insisted on speaking with her in Tamil. Esha answered her in the same language. Then, she asked Suhasini about the choice of language. And was more than surprised when she replied, 'I wanted to offer you a role in Tamil and wanted to see how well you know the language.'

Esha laughs now as she shares the memory with Chief Correspondent Syed Firdaus Ashraf. 'But I was really taken aback when he asked me to do Yuva as well,' says the thrilled actor. Excerpts:

What was your first reaction when Mani Ratnam called you?

Actually, his wife [actor-director Suhasini] called me. She wanted to know whether I could speak in Tamil. I said yes. We chatted in Tamil for a bit. She then told me the reason: she wanted to check my Tamil because Mani Ratnam wanted to sign me for the Tamil version of Yuva. I was very happy; I promptly called my mom [actor-politician Hema Malini] to tell her what had happened.

Can you describe your role in Yuva?

I am playing a girl who returns to Kolkata after studying in New Delhi. I am today's woman, very independent. My character's name is Radhika. One of her oldest friends is the boy-next-door, played by Ajay [Devgan]. I have been in love with him since my childhood. He is the guy I want to marry. It is a very bindaas role.

What was acting in this film like?

It was a great experience because I worked with Ajay and Mani Ratnam together. It makes a big difference when you work with an experienced star like Ajay. And Mani Ratnam is like God for me. I have always been a fan of his. I have seen all his films. Doing this role is a dream come true. I am happy I had the opportunity to do the Tamil [Aayutha Ezhuthu] as well as the Hindi version, Yuva. Mani Ratnam pampers you and also brings out the best in you. You will only understand this if you work with him. That is why actors give such a natural performance in all his films.

You are the only actor doing the film's Hindi and Tamil versions.

I started working in the Tamil version first. We shot in Chennai for a month. At that time, someone else [south Indian actress Simran] was doing the Hindi version. One fine day, Mani Ratnam asked me whether I wanted to do the role in Hindi as well. I was so happy, I could not ask for anything more.

What's the difference in the two roles?

It is the same role. In Tamil, I am cast opposite Surya instead of Ajay. The only difference is the language (laughs).

Was there any difference in Tamil and Hindi film set up? Was one better than the other?

I am a south Indian. I have a house in Chennai. I have lots of friends there. Shooting for the Tamil version was just as good as shooting the Hindi one. I became great friends with Trisha and Siddarth, the other actors in Aayutha Ezhuthu. In Hindi, Abhishek is a good friend. So it was great to be in both films.

Wasn't it boring to shoot the same role twice?

Not at all. I would have loved to do the Telugu and Marathi versions with him [Mani Ratnam] as well.

What kind of interaction did you have with the film's technical team?

While filming Yuva, all of us -- the people behind the camera, Mani Ratnam and me -- would speak in Tamil and all the other actors on the sets would feel out of place (smiles).

What was working with Mani Ratnam like? You must have had to concentrate harder because you were working in two films simultaneously.

Actually, I finished shooting for Aayutha Ezhuthu before I began Yuva. It was like doing two different films. In Aayutha Ezhuthu, I had to speak Iyer Tamil; at home we speak Iyengar Tamil which is slightly different. So I had to work on certain pronunciations. Mani Ratnam's assistant, Mr Kannan, would sit with me for hours and explain the nuances of the language. A lot of hard work went into the Tamil version.

What is the difference between working with Mani Ratnam and working with other Bollywood directors?

I think it is the timing. He used to get up at 5 am. He is very disciplined compared to our Bollywood culture which is not very disciplined in terms of timing. Besides, he has a fabulous cameraman [see Ravi K Chandran's take on Yuva]. I did most of my scenes without make up and look at the way he made me look. It [working with Ratnam] is a dream come true for all of us.

Yuva is the story of three male characters who meet on Kolkata's Howrah Bridge. Their lives change from that point. Does that leave you with much of a role?

I am Ajay's girlfriend. He is into politics. I am his moral support and this is shown in the script. I have a montage song, Badal, and the title song, Yuva, which has been nicely shot.

Rani Mukerji and Kareena Kapoor are the other actresses in the film. Do you interact with them?

I only interact with Ajay, Ajay's mom and his sister. The only other actor I see in the film is Abhishek, but I don't interact with him either. In real life, he is a family friend. I have known him for long time. So it was very comforting for me to see him and we were happy in each other's company.

What does your dad [Dharmendra, actor-filmmaker and MP from Bikaner] think of you in the promos of Yuva?

When I showed him the booklet, he told me I look like a doll. I think only my father can say that to me at this age.

What will you be doing on May 21, the day Yuva is released?

I will be flying to Singapore for the IIFA awards if I can complete my shoot, which is happening in Goa right now. But I will nervous on that day, even though I am generally a very happy-go-lucky person. Every artiste feels that way. I hope the films do well. A lot of people are expecting a lot from me in these films.

Are you open to doing Tamil films now?

(Laughs) Right now I am concentrating in Hindi films only. But if Mani Ratnam approaches me again for a Tamil film, I will do it.

From Yuva's official website:

A.R. Rahman (music), Vikram Dharma (stunts), Brinda (choreography), and Robert Taylor (sync sound).

The Leo coffee ad took in a big way in the south. I ended up doing many more till boredom set in. I felt there was much more to music, surely. Mani Ratnam then tempted me with Roja. Initially I was hesitant... while I was in the orchestras I'd seen the world of films upfront. Mani prodded me to try composing the entire score of his film and so, here i am. May be if there had been no Roja, I'd still be striking up tunes for tea and coffee.

The Ratnam - Rahman relationship has gone beyond the mechanical. He is my friend, my mentor. A composer expects trust and he has given that to me in abundance. He doesn't tell me to do this or that, I know what he expects and I try to give it to him. Then he tells me if he likes it or not, so there is a two-way give and take.

--A.R. Rahman

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YUVA has a new trend of action. There is no flying in the air, no artifice, nothing implausible about the fight sequences.That's what makes it very special. The situations in which we shot them were very dangerous... amidst speeding cars on the Hoogly bridge, on busy roads, on electric trains but the underlying quality was realism. The chases were real, energetic and emotional.

The whole action to me was that much more effective only because of the expressions and reactions of the artists. The artists were so involved in their characters that the emotion they brought to the fight made it very effective I could only applaud the characters that were coming through.

--Vikram Dharma

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My brief was simple - the dances should be choreographed but not look like they are choreographed !

The song in the disco had a scene integrated into it and to choreograph a scene to music was a first for me. But to me the most challenging song was Lallan and Shasi's 'Kabhi neem neem'. To get that quality of romance and intimacy between a husband and wife on screen was very new. The song was completely based on emotions and expessions and those expressions were not usual. The whole song was shot in one room and that's not easy but I really enjoyed doing that.

Working with a six actors on on film was a great buzz because they brought their different styles to the dance and brought a separate energy to each of the songs.

--Brinda

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Obviously because sync sound was a new thing for this unit and no one was used to working that way we were trying intially to train the people around to work with this. It was a very noisy but happy crew.

Mani's very creative. I went to places where i could see nothing at all on the sets and he would enter and I could see him doing something brilliant with the place. I was trying to give the sound more presence and feeling than normal as the director was improvising as he went along and changing his mind and ideas after every setup so I was also doing the same and experimenting as I went along.

--Robert Taylor

From Rediff.com:

Surya, one of Tamil cinema's most successful stars, delivered two blockbusters in 2003: as a tough cop in Kaakha Kaakha, and as an illiterate villager in Pithamaghan. In Mani Ratnam's Aayitha Ezhuthu (Yuva in Hindi), Surya essays the part of a young idealist.

It was a 'dream come true' role for the actor, he tells Siddhu Warrier:

I owe my career to Mani Sir. He was my first producer [in Neeruku Ner]. He gave me the opportunity to act. It was a dream come true for me to work with him.

Mani Sir thinks in English. Then he translates his dialogues into Tamil. His dialogues are thus much shorter and crisper. He is totally different from other directors in the way he thinks about a scene. The way he explains things to the artist. The way the scene is made. The way the artist enters the frame. The way the scene ends. He always gives an actor the freedom to do what he feels is most convincing. He never pressured me to act in a particular way.

I am very different from the character I play in Aayitha Ezhuthu. I have a lot of friends, but I am not really talkative. In this film, my character is based on a real person in Andhra Pradesh. I read a lot of books and collected a lot of information before the shoot.

Usually, my performances are realistic and I try to avoid overacting or playing hyper. Mani Sir told me to underplay [my performance] even further. He felt that playing it [my character] mild would have a greater impact. It rings true [to me].

The film is a visual treat, thanks to [cinematographer] Ravi K Chandran. He is the most brilliant cameraman I have seen. This film will definitely stand out among all the other Tamil films being released.

I had almost finished shooting for Aayitha Ezhuthu and had began shooting for Per Azhagan. That's why I was unable to go on the sets of Yuva. I did meet Vivek Oberoi and Abhishek Bachchan, though I couldn't meet Ajay Devgan, who plays my role in Yuva. I am eager to see how he [Devgan] has acted and reacted to different situations.

Aayitha Ezhuthu used sync sound. Though pronunciation was never a problem for me because my mother tongue is Tamil, I had to ensure that the stress and modulation were perfect. I also had to speak a little louder, which was a little tough.

I have known Madhavan [one of the male leads in Aayitha Ezhuthu] for a long time, even before he started acting. He had accompanied me to the theatre for my first release. We have been friends ever since. Siddharth [the other male lead of Aayitha Ezhuthu] was already part of Mani Sir's unit. He assisted him on Kannathil Mutthamital. The atmosphere on the sets was fun. We were all friends.

But the youngest at heart on the sets was Mani Sir.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

From Rediff.com:

Siddharth was the star of Boys, a fun, young movie that released in 2003. He had assisted Mani Ratnam in Kannathil Mutthamittal and is one of the three stars of Aayitha Ezhuthu. Like the character he plays in Aayitha Ezhuthu, Siddharth also holds an MBA degree from a top business school in India. He describes what it is to act under Mani Ratnam:

Working with Mani sir is fun. Period. I probably enjoyed assisting him more because it entailed more work, and hence, more interaction. Acting is far more gratifying, though, essentially because you get to be a bigger part of the finished product!

I played a boy in Boys. I play a young man in Aayitha Ezhuthu. I must say it took ages for me to see common ground between my reality and who I was in Boys. But I believe the main reason I was cast in Aayitha Ezhuthu was that I looked, talked and behaved like Arjun.

Working with Maddy [Madhavan] and Surya has been a great experience. I have known Maddy a while now, and we get along really well. He is hugely talented and it was fun watching him perform. He was like a protective big brother on the sets, always watching out for my safety. We had a blast. As for Surya, he is one of those actors who makes you want to work harder to match his efforts.

The biggest thrill of this film is getting an opportunity to play along with these guys. It has also been an absolute pleasure working with Trisha [Krishnan]. I have another film coming up opposite her, so it is always a relief when you work well with a co-star.

I am not going to reveal what the plot of Aayitha Ezhuthu is. We at Madras Talkies pride ourselves on our ability to keep our traps shut. But I can tell you what you need to know at this point. I play Arjun, a young educated man who has made airtight plans for his future. He couldn't be concerned with the interests and problems of the world. He strives for maximum joy with minimum effort. His goal in life is to look out for himself and himself alone. For more details on who this Arjun chap is, catch the film.

I think sync sound [in Aayitha Ezhuthu] worked more for me than against me. I am from the stage, so live is always better! However, I tend to speak very fast, especially in Tamil. That small impediment notwithstanding, I really enjoyed working on a movie with sync sound. Bob Taylor, our sound recordist, really helped me get into the swing of this technique.

I knew I was headed the film way even before I signed up for business school. I have dreamed of making films since childhood. It was not acting, but writing and directing that interested me. So I completed my education as a safety cushion, and headed south [he grew up in Delhi and Mumbai] to be an assistant director. Three years have gone by. Now, I am an actor on the verge of a second release. I have no clue where I will take myself next. I am just taking things as they come.

I don't think Yuva and Aayitha Ezhuthu will turn out all that different. The theme of this movie is universal. The varied facets of today's youth manifest themselves in different ways in different places, depending on the individual. The facets remain the same. On a screenplay level, the films are identical, so the question of varied incorporation of nuances does not arise.

Making AE felt like living a dream. I was never in a frame of mind to pick and enjoy moments. The whole experience was a challenge, not to let down the faith that was shown in my abilities. Every moment of this challenge has been equally enjoyable, equally excruciating!

Although executed simultaneously, the locations and schedules of the two films were very different. The interactions were mostly informal. I am still intrigued by the prospect of watching both our performances back to back. I gave all my heart to this role. Vivek [Oberoi, who plays his Hindi counterpart] has done the same. I hope we have both done justice to our characters.

From Rediff.com:

It must be a rare occasion when a filmmaker holds a press conference post the release of his film, to say that said film is not a flop. Tuesday evening saw one such event, hosted by Mani Ratnam, arguably one of India's finest directors. For added emphasis, he was joined by stars of his latest film, Yuva: Abhishek Bachchan, Ajay Devgan, Vivek Oberoi, Kareena Kapoor and Rani Mukerji. The agenda was simple. The refrain being: Yuva is doing well. It is not a flop. They do not agree with trade magazines and box-office reports that have declared Yuva a flop.

Yuva released May 21. While most critics seem to have panned the film, Ratnam loyalists and fans and metro centre audiences seem to have loved the film. Bachchan, who played the rogue Lallan Singh in Yuva, declared, 'The Mumbai distributor of the film [Ramesh Sippy -- not the Sholay filmmaker, but actor Jeetendra's brother-in-law, and head of BRA Enterprises], told me he made Rs 3 crore [Rs 30 million] from Yuva. There must be some reason why he said that. So I don't agree with the statement that film is not doing well.'

Devgan added: 'I am here to say I have checked the collections and they are very good in Mumbai. The fact is, the film has done well in A class centres.'

Ratnam had only one mantra: 'Don't pre-judge the film,' he tells Senior Assistant Editor Syed Firdaus Ashraf: Is this press meet a damage control exercise?

(laughs) No, I don't think the damage is so severe. But now that we are here, we cannot leave without saying anything about the film. We are saying give the film a chance. The facts are there, figures are there, look at them.

What are the figures you have of the Yuva collections?

The distributors [of Yuva] are here. I have not come here with figures and facts. I have come here as a filmmaker. I don't carry figures with me. If I carry figures, I won't be able to carry scripts (laughs).

I can say this film has done very well abroad. It is doing much better than other films in smaller towns.

You say the theatre collections of Yuva are good. Trade guides and box-office reports say Yuva is flop. These are contradictory facts. Are you questioning the trade industry process?

That is not for me to say. I have not looked at box-office figures in trade magazines. I don't follow them regularly. That is not my cup of tea. If they say the film is not doing well, we will give it some time. Wait and see for a week or so.

What is the research you have done to say the film has done well in A or B centres and the NRI market?

It is evident by the second week after the film's release how it has fared in the bigger and smaller areas.

Have you called the trade journals to explain this?

I think the distributors will do that. This meeting is about a group of artistes and technicians who are meeting to say that we are happy with the film. We stand by the film. We are happy with the reaction of the audience.

Do you think there is a lobby working against Yuva?

I don't think so. I make one film in three, four years. Why or how would that matter to any lobby?

Would you cut the songs in Yuva -- filmmakers seem to do that after a film is labelled a flop.

No. If I had to cut the songs, I would have done so earlier.

Would you consider suing the trade magazines because this seems to have hurt your image and caused some financial loss to the film?

No, that cannot damage my image and money. A film is between you and the audience. The distributors are the ony people in between us. It is a straight equation.

But you say word-of-mouth about Yuva has been good?

That is what I am saying. People's reactions and word-of-mouth have been good. That is finally what matters for the film. Yuva will sell. If you say the film is not doing well, that will counter the word-ofmouth. Give the film a chance.

What do you think has gone against the film when word-of mouth is good? What in your opinion has worked for the film? What hasn't?

Why do you assume anything has gone wrong? Nothing has gone against the film. Word-of-mouth is good. The film is good, so everything is okay. It is also too early to analyse the film. If you ask a filmmaker to analyse his own film, it would take three or four years to do that, honestly. Because when you make a film, you have to be convinced about it. You are married to that film for a year.

I am very happy with the film. I am happy with the response I have got so far from the theatres. I am glad that we can make bold films, different films within the commercial market and still do well.

How do you feel when people criticise your film?

You want to hit them first. (laughs). After the anger has gone away, you try and find out whether there is a valid point in what they are saying. You know the ins and outs of your film. When I see a film, I have an opinion. Everybody has an opinion. If you wanted to make a film the way you want, you go ahead and make it. I am here because I feel I can make a commercial film from my perspective.

Do you think the Hindi film industry needs a system whereby box-office figures come from one common source, not many?

I am not here to talk about trade guides and magazines. All I have to say is, we will find out soon how the film has fared. Look at the film as a whole. I am not saying that because I am happy with what I have done. Look at the major areas and see how the film has done.

I am saying, don't pre-judge, don't anticipate that it will fall here and it will catch up in some other area. Facts are facts. Don't conclude in a hurry and hurt the film. This is an attempt to do something different that we believe in. Help it grow rather than kill it.

Do you think the Yuva trade status of 'flop' will change to 'average' or 'semi-hit'?

I hope it does not become a semi-hit (laughs). Why not a hit?

Reports say the Tamil version, Aayitha Ezhuthu, is not doing well either.

What can I say? If you have passed the verdict, why ask? For myself, I am very happy with the results of both versions. The overseas results, everything has worked for the film.

When Dil Se.. did not do well at the box office, you accepted the verdict quietly. Why this hue and cry about Yuva?

I will accept the verdict of Yuva too. If it doesn't do well, there is nothing you can do. The only thing I am saying is, don't pre-judge the film.

From Newkerala.com:

While Mani Ratnam's Yuva has done well in many centres, including Bihar where he and music composer A.R. Rahman are considered anathema by distributors, it has been ripped apart here -- and he is wondering why.

Why do you think this is so? the maverick filmmaker asks pensively.

He then chuckles: I've learnt not to get shaken by initial reactions and wait for the film to grow. Of course, I'm not jumping with joy at the criticism. It makes me wonder if I've slipped up. No point in getting worried about it.

Interestingly, now they say my first Hindi film 'Dil Se' was good. Maybe 'Yuva', too, will be praised when I make my next film.

Responding to the need to make a separate Tamil version, Mani says:

Shooting two separate versions wasn't tough since we finished the Hindi and then got into Tamil. At least that's how we planned to go about it. But then after 75 percent of 'Yuva', Vivek Oberoi had that accident in Kolkata. I suddenly had free time until he recovered. That's when I started the Tamil version 'Ayudha Ezhuthu'.

He said he enjoyed making two versions of the same story.

Getting both the films ready together was a tough task. But I must say shooting the two versions wasn't monotonous. The actors were different and there were variations throughout. The songs were shot identically in both.

Mani ponders about moviegoers' tastes.

Audiences everywhere are similar in their tastes. I still chose to make separate versions of 'Yuva'... now I wonder why! The Tamil version is more raw and violent. That's because of the Tamil actors. Their body language and their screen projection affords more intensity. Also, since I went into the Tamil version after shooting a lot of the Hindi version I wanted to go further the second time. I shot the Tamil version with more edge to it. No point in doing the same thing twice.

Dismissing media reports that claimed he had suffered a health setback during Yuva when Vivek Oberoi was injured in Kolkata, Mani clarifies:

It was wrongly reported that I suffered a heart attack. I just had a viral infection for which I was hospitalised. The very next day I was shooting on the very same bridge in Kolkata. My blood pressure had shot up because I ran up that bridge when Vivek had the accident.

Mani hasn't decided what he wants to make next.

I need to take a break. 'Yuva' and 'Ayudha Ezhuthu' have really exerted me. I haven't thought of anything about the next. I don't even know whether it'll be in Tamil or Hindi. It all depends on the subject. Maybe I should make another Hindi film so Bollywood will get used to me.

But versatility will remain his hallmark, no matter in which language he makes his film.

Each film that I make has to be different from the previous one. That's what keeps me going. 'Yuva' is totally different from my previous film 'Kannattil Muttamittal'. That difference is what keeps me creatively alive. It's like doing a first film each time. Instinctively, I choose a different theme every time.