Writer and director Manish Gupta, known for his gripping suspense thrillers based on true events, such as The Stoneman Murders, Rahasya, Section 375, and 420 IPC, is continuing his legacy of realistic storytelling with his upcoming film One Friday Night. The movie stars Raveena Tandon, Milind Soman, and Vidhi Chitalia. In an exclusive interview with ETimes, Manish discussed the casting process, his approach to developing screenplays based on true events, and shared advice for fellow Indian filmmakers.
Was One Friday Night originally intended for a theatrical release?
Not exactly. We initially made this film with the intention of a theatrical release, but considering the recent box office failures, we decided to explore the OTT route. However, even though the film is releasing on a digital platform, we have ensured that it maintains a larger-than-life cinematic experience. We have shot on real locations and incorporated drone shots to give viewers an immersive experience.
Several films have explored the theme of extra-marital affairs and infidelity in the past. How will One Friday Night be different?
One Friday Night offers two different perspectives on the subject. We have an affluent married couple portrayed by Raveena and Milind. Despite having a beautiful, intelligent, and sexy wife, Milind’s character falls in love with a much younger woman to fulfill his unsatisfied needs. The film also delves into a debate between Raveena’s character and the other woman played by Vidhi. Both share their own sides of the story, and the audience is left to decide who is right or wrong, or if both have their own justifications. It’s a complex and intriguing narrative.
Tell us about working with Raveena, Milind, and Vidhi.
For the role of Raveena’s character, I needed a woman around 49 years old who could also look glamorous, tall, and smart. The character is that of a leading senior gynecologist in Pune who is wealthy and well-respected in society. Despite all this, her husband is having an affair with a 22-year-old. To portray this contrast effectively, I chose Raveena Tandon. I have been a fan of her performances in movies like Shool and Satta. She was a perfect fit for the role.
When casting the husband character, I needed someone over 50 but also sophisticated and good-looking enough for a 22-year-old girl to fall in love with. Milind Soman was the perfect choice. I came across a video of him where he talked candidly about his own real-life relationship with his wife, who is 25 years younger. His views and persona aligned perfectly with the character, so I asked him to be himself and not act. The result was a phenomenal performance from Milind.
As for Vidhi, I had noticed her talent in my previous film, 420 IPC. She had a small role, but I was impressed by her electric performance and decided to cast her in a more significant role in One Friday Night.
You previously mentioned having creative differences with Raveena. Could you elaborate on that?
The creative differences had nothing to do with her acting abilities. It was regarding her makeup, lipstick, and earrings. Raveena comes from the world of glamour and big-budget commercial films, where prominent makeup and jewelry are common. She initially had some difficulty adjusting to my vision, which required a more natural and understated look. However, she was very cooperative when it came to her acting, always following the director’s guidance.
Did you face similar challenges with Milind and Vidhi?
No, I didn’t face any such challenges with Milind and Vidhi. They fully embraced and executed the vision I had for their characters, including their appearance and overall performance.
How do you maintain realism and authenticity in your films?
Keeping the films realistic and authentic is extremely challenging. For example, in One Friday Night, we featured Raveena’s character as a gynecologist, so we shot scenes in an actual maternity hospital and operation theater. We used real instruments, and even had a genuine nurse present during the operation scenes. I consulted with gynecologists and the experienced nurse to ensure accuracy and realism. Capturing this level of authenticity requires a lot of time, patience, and hard work. However, it sets my films apart and enhances the audience’s viewing experience.
Tell us about your journey as a filmmaker, starting from Sarkar.
I started my career as a writer and worked on the film Sarkar, which starred Amitabh Bachchan. After that, I ventured into direction with the anthology film Darna Zaroori Hai. Following that, I directed The Stoneman Murders, which was based on a true serial killer case. Rahasya was my next project, inspired by the Aarushi Talwar murder case. I then directed Section 375, which explored the Shiny Ahuja case. Recently, I directed 420 IPC, which revolved around an economic offense case. Throughout my career, I have developed a unique genre that focuses on real cases or incidents and weaves suspenseful narratives around them. Extensive research is a crucial aspect of my filmmaking process.
In conclusion, Manish Gupta is a highly respected writer and director known for his realistic treatment of suspense thrillers based on true events. With his upcoming film, One Friday Night, he continues to deliver an immersive cinematic experience. The casting of Raveena Tandon, Milind Soman, and Vidhi Chitalia adds depth and authenticity to the film’s narrative. Gupta’s dedication to realism and attention to detail sets his films apart, urging Indian filmmakers to follow suit.