Siddharth Anand reveals what he'd change about 'Salaam Namaste'
On Monday, director Siddharth Anand celebrated the 19th anniversary of his debut film Salaam Namaste. In an exclusive interview with Times Now, he reflected on his journey from this 2005 romantic comedy to his latest project Fighter. He credited producer Aditya Chopra for recognizing and nurturing his directorial talent and said, "Adi (Chopra) for believing in a young kid in me who was a reluctant director...Gave me freedom and the budget."
'I would not change the tone to slapstick...'
When asked about any potential changes he would make to Salaam Namaste if given a chance, Anand expressed dissatisfaction with the film's climax. He stated, "The climax. I would not change the tone to slapstick. And stay with the situational 'Friends' type of humor and emotion." "The rest of the film has so much spontaneity and aesthetic that is tough to replicate. The magic just happened."
Anand praised Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta's contribution
Anand also acknowledged the contributions of lead actors Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta to the film. He stated, "Saif, being the big star he was, showed faith and came on board. Same for Preity." The director further credited his entire crew for their input in making Salaam Namaste a success. He is currently working with Khan again after many years on an upcoming project titled Jewel Thief.
Anand's emotional journey from 'Salaam Namaste' to 'Fighter'
When asked about his most emotionally challenging film, Anand named Fighter. He explained that he has been consistent in terms of emotional quotient throughout his career. "I think emotionally Fighter has been my most sensitive and strongest," he said. "So I think I've been quite consistent where the emotional quotient is concerned. And that comes from the person I am."
Anand's transition from 'Salaam Namaste' to 'Pathaan'
Anand also discussed his transition from the gentle storytelling of Salaam Namaste to the more aggressive filmmaking style in Pathaan. He emphasized that he remains a sensitive director, with Pathaan carrying a lot of emotional depth. "Whether it's Pathaan and Nandini's track or even Jim's backstory... But it's actually what you feel emotionally that engages you through the film too," he said.
