Murad Khetani is having a great run at present. After backing blockbusters like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022) and Animal (2023), the enterprising producer is all set to release the big Christmas offing, Baby John. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, the very humble Murad Khetani spoke about his ‘baby’, that is, Baby John, collaborating with Varun Dhawan, Atlee and Salman Khan and a lot more.
EXCLUSIVE: Murad Khetani opens up on his nerve-wrecking experience while asking Salman Khan to do a cameo in Baby John: “While it took me an hour to gather courage, he took less than 10 seconds to give his nod”
This is the first time we have seen you go all out while promoting a film. You also showed your funny side at the Baby John press conference when you joked ‘Varun ko sab jaanna hota hai’. What is it about this film that motivated you to show this hidden side to the world?
I am going out because we have all seen the film and are confident about it. It has shaped up very well. Hence, automatically, you get confidence. As for Varun, he is like family. He respects me and we have that comfortable bond. Hence, I can joke about him. He’s a fun guy, I have a great equation with Atlee sir as well. He’s also like family.
You managed to partner with Atlee before Jawan (2023)…
Yes. Atlee and I planned this project before Jawan. We also signed Varun before (the release of the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer).
Was Varun Dhawan the first choice for the role?
Absolutely (smiles).
How did you manage to partner with Atlee? I am sure a lot of producers and studios wanted to collaborate with him…
I wanted to meet Atlee sir. A common friend helped arrange the meeting. From our first meeting, we clicked very well after which we met 4-5 times. In between, Atlee sir met Varun Dhawan for Baby John. Both wondered who they should collaborate with. Varun advised Atlee sir that he should produce this film with me. Varun was confident that I’ll help mount the film correctly. We then signed Varun. It was then that Jio Studios came into the picture as the studio partner.
You worked with Sandeep Reddy Vanga, a Telugu filmmaker, in Animal and Kabir Singh (2019). Baby John’s producer Atlee and director Kalees are from the Tamil industry. The common factor between all three makers is that their films are mass-appealing and showcase their heroes brilliantly. According to you, how are these South filmmakers able to get this aspect right?
They are simply doing what we used to do until the 90s. Their films are in the same zone as Prakash Mehra, Manmohan Desai and Mukul Anand – action, style, heroism, music, etc. Also, if you look at Kabir Singh, Animal or even Jawan, yeh saari filmon mein correct emotion tha. Kabir Singh was a pure love story in a way. That’s why the common man was able to connect with that film. In Jawan, the father-son’s bond appealed to the people.
The action, of course, is also important and that also is done well. Moreover, they make good use of the latest technology. As a result, their films seem modern, but the emotions are their core.
Do we lack commercial directors in Bollywood?
No. We do have filmmakers who can also make mass-appealing films.
How easy or difficult was it to get Salman Khan on board for the cameo?
Sir Atlee informed me about the requirement for a star for a cameo. He asked if Salman sir could come on board. I assured him that I’d talk to him. I met Salman bhai; we sat and started chatting. It took me an hour to gather the courage to ask him. Finally, I told him ‘Apni picture mein Varun ke saath ek din ka cameo shoot karna hai’. He replied, ‘Yes, done. Bata dena kab karna hai’. So, while it took me an hour to gather the courage to ask him, he took less than 10 seconds to give his nod! That’s how Salman bhai is; large-hearted and humble.
Varun Dhawan’s biggest solo opener is Judwaa 2 (2017) at Rs. 16.10 crores. Will Baby John be able to go past this number?
Fingers crossed; let’s hope for the best (smiles). We have worked hard a lot from our side. We have also promoted it well. We have got a good response for all the assets that we have put out. The title track with action cut has also been appreciated.
Will Sab First Class be your next release?
Yes. It’ll be directly released on Jio Cinema and would mostly arrive in the first half of 2025. I am producing one more film with Atlee sir, starring Vijay Sethupathi. It’s a Tamil film; it goes on floors in January end. We plan to release it on Diwali. It is directed by Balaji Tharaneetharan. Also, I am working on 2-3 more films and have signed directors for them.
More Pages: Baby John Box Office Collection
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