The cameras are rolling and the laughter is set to begin. Director Umesh Shukla’s latest creation, “Ek Chatur Naar,” hit theaters today. This film brings together Divya Kumar Khosla and Neil Nitin Mukesh in a story packed with laughs and suspense. They recently sat down with Amar Ujala to spill some secrets from behind the scenes.
The movie follows Mamta, played by Divya Khosla, a single mom living with her son and mother-in-law. Neil Nitin Mukesh takes on the role of Abhishek, a man involved in embezzling government funds. The cast discussed everything from the challenges of comedy to how they dealt with online comments.
The Tricky Art of Making People Laugh
Neil Nitin Mukesh shared his thoughts on comedic acting. He admitted that making people laugh is truly tough. He had worked in a film like “Golmaal” before, but his role as a villain didn’t let him explore much humor. This time, in “Ek Chatur Naar,” he got to dive headfirst into funny situations. He explained that mixing comedy with suspense to create humor takes both skill and effort. Both he and Divya had a blast during filming, especially since they had the freedom to improvise. This made the whole experience even more enjoyable.
The film’s title, “Ek Chatur Naar,” might ring a bell for many. Neil mentioned that hearing it didn’t scare him at all. Instead, he felt it had great recall value. He believes that audiences still connect with old movies. Even in today’s world, people remember classic stories, songs, and characters. He pointed out that “Padosan” is a film still fresh in people’s minds, and its song “Ek Chatur Naar” is an absolute classic. Because of this, he wasn’t afraid to give the title a fresh spin. He feels people can instantly connect with it after seeing the trailer. Sometimes titles are just for curiosity, but this one truly connects to the story, making it perfect for the film.
Stepping into a Difficult Role
Divya Kumar Khosla opened up about her character and the demanding shoot. She plays a young woman from the slums, living by a drain. She recalled a particularly scary moment when Director Umesh Shukla told her to stand right next to a drain. She was terrified of falling into the dirty water. Despite her fear, she went for it. When everyone else cleared out, her expressions were genuinely real because she was truly scared. Luckily, she didn’t fall in.
Divya also talked about getting into character. She said every role in the film has many layers; no one is completely good or bad. The director used to jokingly call her a “big cunning girl” on set. Learning the local dialect was also a big hurdle. Since her Punjabi accent is quite strong, she had to work hard to adopt the Uttar Pradesh accent. Slowly, she managed to adapt. She even shared that the smell from the drain was strong at first. But after a while, she became so immersed in her role that she stopped noticing it.
Dealing with the Online World
Both actors spoke about facing negativity on social media. Neil mentioned that people will always have something to say. He used to feel he needed to reply to every comment. He remembered a time on Twitter when someone would abuse him daily. He got angry and replied, asking why they were so abusive. He told them not to watch if they didn’t like his work. The person then replied, saying they just wanted attention and were a big fan. That’s when Neil realized he was letting it bother him too much. His confidence was being shaken by just one person. He then decided not to take such comments seriously. Now, he stays less active on social media, only sharing important updates about his family or work.
Divya shared her own strategy for handling harsh comments. She simply blocks anyone who posts very bad comments on her Instagram. She used to wonder why people said mean things. But then, John Abraham gave her some great advice: never read comments. She found this advice very helpful. She knows there are many people out there, and they will always talk. Divya trusts her own inner confidence, knowing that no one can shake it.
Future Dreams and Box Office Hopes
When asked about her dream role, Divya said she used to wish for a comedy film. She is thrilled that “Ek Chatur Naar” gave her that chance, as female actors often get fewer such roles. Now, she hopes to get an opportunity to star in a period film.
The film’s first day at the box office didn’t quite hit the mark. It reportedly earned only 50 lakh rupees on Friday. However, there’s hope that the numbers will pick up over the weekend.