In a recent conversation with the media, actress Sai Manjrekar talks about her role & experience of working in Neeraj Pandey's first romantic movie, Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha. Saiee opened up on collaborating with stars like Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Jimmy Shergill & Shantanu Maheshwari & also revealed the reaction of her family and friends after watching her acting in the film.
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00:00What was so powerful about your film, that it took people to the theatres?
00:05What do you want to say? What do you feel about the film?
00:08I'm very happy. Whoever has watched it has lovely things to say.
00:13And I'm very happy that when you've made a film with so much love, honesty and hard work,
00:22and when people love it, it feels really good.
00:26I'm very, very glad that people are giving it the kind of love that you said they're giving.
00:33What I'm saying is, it was such a big film that you saw yourself on the big screen,
00:39and you saw it with such big people like Shah Rukh Khan, Tabu Ma'am, Ajay Sir.
00:43What did you feel? Did you feel proud?
00:46100%. When I saw the film on the big screen, I saw it for the first time.
00:52I hadn't seen it before.
00:54I was very excited about what was happening in the film. I was fully invested.
00:58So I think I need to go watch it again to focus on how I'm feeling after watching myself.
01:04Because when I saw it for the first time, I didn't know the climax properly.
01:09So I was very excited and my friends asked me, what's going to happen now?
01:14I was like, I don't even know. It was really funny.
01:17But it was a lovely experience to watch myself on the big screen again.
01:22You mentioned about the screening. Was there a response that was special for you?
01:28My most special response was from my parents.
01:32They were in the US. They saw the film and called me.
01:37They were very happy.
01:39So I think that was a very special response.
01:42My guru, who I used to go to when I started off acting,
01:47saw the film and praised me a lot.
01:51So I was very, very happy. So I think these two were top.
01:55I just want to know, how did you get this film?
01:58I remember I got a call from the casting.
02:05And they said that this film is being made and would you like to test for it?
02:13And I said, of course, I would like to test for it.
02:16And I remember when I went to give the test, Shantanu was already there.
02:21And after that, for 2-3 months, I didn't hear anything.
02:25So I thought, you know, I was a little sad.
02:30And before I could get really, really sad, I got a call.
02:35You know, you're being locked and you have to come meet me.
02:37So I was very happy.
02:39This film was in my destiny.
02:41I saw you in this film.
02:44So I waited, but I got it.
02:46Yes, it's late, but not late.
02:48Actually, do you believe in everything?
02:51Yes, I think everyone has their time.
02:55And I feel like when your luck is good and your time starts,
02:59then everything happens in life, as long as you're working hard.
03:02Exactly. And if I talk about Neeraj sir's film,
03:05which is a patriotic action film.
03:07So did you feel like this is not an action film?
03:10I got a call when you called.
03:12No, no, no. I was told on the call what type of film it is.
03:17More or less, the synopsis of the story.
03:19So I knew what the film was before going in.
03:22All right. I just want to know that you had to play the role of Tabbu ma'am.
03:27How tough was it for you?
03:31I was very nervous in the beginning.
03:33And a lot of people told me not to be so nervous.
03:38Like Samja, Samja, chill.
03:40So I was like, you know, I'm a little nervous because it's Tabbu ma'am at the end of the day.
03:45But when we started the workshop with Neeraj sir.
03:49And, you know, he took our rehearsals.
03:51We were practicing the scenes.
03:53I think that's when all the pressure went away automatically.
03:57Because he was so clear about what he wanted from us.
04:01And how he wanted us to play such a role.
04:05So I think he was so clear in his vision that it made our jobs much easier.
04:10Who did you have the best experience with on set?
04:14I think I spent the most time with Shantanu.
04:16So I have to say Shantanu.
04:18We had a lot of fun.
04:20And I talked a lot.
04:22I think at one point I must have annoyed him by talking.
04:25So yes, I think him.
04:27How was the chemistry on screen and off screen?
04:32Would you like to share something?
04:34Shantanu, because there are a lot of jokes.
04:36Yes.
04:37But there were no such moments.
04:40Like this happened or that happened.
04:42There's no like story.
04:43But it was just a lot of fun.
04:44We used to keep bantering and having fun on set.
04:46So I think this is how our time pass started.
04:49But work time, when like the shot was ready and all.
04:53Was everyone working in peace on set?
04:59No, it's a very very calm set.
05:01And everyone does their job very very well on that set.
05:04And I think it's such a great pleasure that I got a chance to work with everyone.
05:11I think he's such a great director.
05:14And you know to see his set and to be on his set and be part of his film.
05:19It's just all amazing.
05:21And I'm so glad that I got the opportunity to do that.
05:23That's great actually.
05:24And the film is looking really good.
05:26I want to know that when you were shooting on set.
05:30Was there any difficult scene where you felt like you have to give up?
05:35How can we give up?
05:37It's such a big film.
05:38How can we give up?
05:39But there was a time when my toenail was sticking out.
05:44And that was the time when there was like the holy sequence and everything.
05:49So at that point I was like.
05:51I was in so much pain that I was doing everything with so much pain.
05:55But I think that was the only difficult physically taxing part of the shoot.
06:00You just talked about Neeraj sir and the shoot.
06:03Is there any director with whom you have a dream to work with?
06:07Yes, there are so many.
06:10There's obviously the Sanjay Leela Bhansali sir who I've grown up seeing.
06:15How he shows his women on screen.
06:18It's just beautiful.
06:19It's mesmerizing.
06:21Then my favorite film's director is Ayaan Mukherjee.
06:24There's so many.
06:25The list goes on.
06:26But with whom do you have a dream to work with?
06:28Sanjay Leela Bhansali sir.
06:30Everyone wants to work with him.
06:32He gives a classical film.
06:34I want to know from you.
06:37On which set have you worked with Ajay sir?
06:40And have you worked with Suleman sir?
06:42So is there anything in common between the two?
06:44And what was the way of working with both of them?
06:47The way of working with both of them is very focused.
06:51Hardworking.
06:52They work with honesty.
06:54It's really inspiring to see that.
06:56And I think the biggest similarity that I have to say is both of them are really kind people.
07:03And I think after a point in life when you reach a certain point.
07:09At that point kindness becomes a choice not something that you have to do.
07:12So to keep making that choice everyday is very inspiring.
07:15This film was a romantic film.
07:17After a long time there was no rom-com in Bollywood.
07:20Which people liked a lot.
07:22Especially our generation liked it.
07:25But the people of earlier generation also liked this film.
07:28There was a very positive response.
07:30But in real life what type of romance do you watch?
07:34Like old school romance or the ones that are going on now?
07:37In real life my favourite movie is Jawaani Hai Diwaani.
07:42Since I was in 6th grade when that film came out.
07:49Since then I watch it every time something goes wrong in my life to feel better.
07:54So I think that's like a movie that feels like home to me.
07:57And I think I love old school romances.
08:00Whenever a film is being re-released I really enjoy watching it.
08:04You know go and buy popcorn.
08:06And watch a movie that you have seen in your childhood.
08:09That's a very cool experience to have.
08:11In real life what kind of partner do you want in your life?
08:18What kind of partner?
08:19He needs to be a good person.
08:21Funny.
08:22Kind.
08:25Loves to eat.
08:29And...
08:31He has to be good to my parents.
08:34Boys.
08:36Perfect.
08:37You are very famous in the media.
08:39You are a big fan of Peps.
08:41Why is that?
08:42Even I don't know.
08:43I don't do anything.
08:47But whenever there is a snap spot.
08:49Peps is always like come on let's go.
08:53That's so sweet.
08:54I think it's also that...
08:59So many of them are Marathi so I talk to all of them in Marathi.
09:02So it just feels like home.
09:04So I think it could be that too.
09:06I don't know.
09:07It's just really sweet of them.
09:09You want to say something about Peps?
09:12I think they are really sweet.
09:13And they have always been very accepting of me.
09:18And very kind to me.
09:20So thank you.
09:21Thank you for everything.
09:24That's so sweet of you.
09:25I just want to know that apart from this film.
09:28What are the upcoming films?
09:30There are two upcoming releases next year.
09:33I don't know if I can talk about them.
09:36But two releases next year.
09:38Which I am very excited for.
09:39I am shooting for both right now.
09:41And I just hope that people love and accept me.
09:46The same way that they have in this one.
09:48In all my future projects.
09:50I wish you all the best for that.
09:53You are such a sweetheart.
09:54Thank you so much.
09:55Thank you so much.