I Love You: Director Nikhil Mahajan, whose Hindi OTT film ‘I Love You’ starring Bollywood actress Rakul Preet Singh and Pavail Gulati releases tomorrow (June 16, 2023) at JioCinema.
In an exclusive interview with news24online.com, director Nikhil Mahajan shared some interesting information about his upcoming OTT film ‘I Love You.’
Nikhil Mahajan’s exclusive interview
Q1:- After watching the trailer, we can say that the storyline revolves around the psycho lover and his love interest. So, what makes it different from the rest of the films that have been already made in this line?
Ans 1:- “It is not term as a psycho lover film. I would rather call it a revenge drama because for me the story of the person who is getting oppressed and how she kind of gets out of it is also what defines this film. Also, I feel this film is a genesis of today’s time extreme exposure to social media, how social media has given access to a lot of people to very personal corners of our life and the protagonist of this film works, Rakul’s character Satya, she works in a corporate company which makes her a very relatable kind of a protagonist. “
“A lot of our urban Indian youth work in this kind of offices as this kind of a friend circle, this kind of a love life, all of that. So, I feel it is very relatable in that sense than the rest of the films that have been made in this genre where you watch them as stories that are happening to people. Here, I feel it is a story that can happen to anyone tomorrow or it is becoming a possibility that this can be anyone’s nightmare is what kind of sets it apart,” he added.
Q2:- Will you consider this film a fictional story? or something else?
Ans 2:- “I won’t say it is a fictional story but it is a cautionary tale. You can call it a cautionary tale of what can happen to any of us and irrespective of gender to be honest, like why a girl, like it can happen also to a guy. It can happen to any of us who are very vulnerable because of how much we share with others. How quickly we make friends, it is stuff like that all of it kind of.”
Q3:- What was your thought process before this film?
Ans 3:- “It is just like it is exactly about you. One, finding, and observing things around us about how we are more trusting. We are just very trusting people, make friends very easily, and put our lives out on social media very easily. Our lives have access for pretty much anybody can follow you on social media platforms today and they will have access to very private bits of your life.”
Q4:- It is the first time that Rakul and Pavali come together as an on-screen couple. so what made you pair both of them together?
Ans 4:- “I feel everybody wants to see a fresh pairing always. In terms of casting, I think all filmmakers will always think of getting together a pair, actor and actress combination which has not been done before because it always is a surprise their chemistry is unexplored, how they look together is never seen before. So it is very exciting to be the first person to make this happen, I feel that was enough and I think more importantly than this I think as far as I go, I always cast based on who fits the character the most I am not even actively thinking about Rakul and Pavel didn’t work together before, so take them it doesn’t happen like that I feel that only Rakul could be the girl and only Pavel could be the boy. Now the fact that they have not worked together is a bonus. but I think the fact that they are just correct for the character is what is more important.”
Q5:- How much do you think people would love this on-screen couple?
Ans 5:- “I feel people will love them I think they look nice together on-screen And I think their chemistry is very interesting It’s the kind of chemistry we don’t really get to see in films So I think in that sense, they look very good together And I think people will like them a lot.”
Q6:- Why did you prefer OTT over big screens?
Ans 6:- “No, honestly, I think it depends from film to film Some films are meant to be enjoyed with a big bunch of people in a theatre. Whereas sometimes a film is meant to be solitary or an experience that you have with your girlfriend or boyfriend or family. And you sit in your home and you watch on a TV I think this film is more suited to this medium because of its nature and a very intimate kind of personal kind of film. In terms of it has these two and it puts them in a very challenging situation.”
“So I think it is a kind of film that you will enjoy watching by yourself also at the end of a long day at the office You would love to come back, and grab your dinner I think it’s a nice thing to watch I think it’s perfect for OTT, this film whereas my last film, Marathi film, Gudaavari It’s meant for the cinema It’s made for the big screen So that you can sit with a bunch of people and feel the same emotions So I think this film is more suited for this So I absolutely always wanted it to be for this medium.”
About the film
Rakul Preet Singh, who plays Satya Prabhakar in the movie, is an independent working woman in Mumbai whose life undergoes a dramatic change just as she and the love of her life advance their romance. The plot develops in a succession of unexpected ways, displaying an exciting tale of retribution. Wait until June 16 to find out the secret!
The movie is produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Sunir Kheterpal, and Gaurav Bose and is presented by Jio Studios. It is an Athena & The Vermillion World Production, written and directed by director Nikhil Mahajan.
