EXCLUSIVE: Sparsh Shrivastava, Pratibha Ranta and Nitanshi Goel reveal that even after watching Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies a hundred times, Aamir Khan cries every single time

It was early Friday morning when Bollywood Hungama exclusively met Sparsh Shrivastava, Pratibha Ranta and Nitanshi Goel to talk about their upcoming flick, Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao and produced by superstar Aamir Khan. The trio were visibly excited as they opened up about the film and a lot more. There was also a child-like enthusiasm in all of them which made for a fun experience.

How did you all bag the film? I am sure it must have not been easy as a lot of people must have auditioned for these parts… Sparsh: Whoever you can think of auditioned, had for this role (smiles). As for how we bagged the role, I think we acted well (laughs)! We conveyed the honesty of what the character demands. The common factor between all three of us was that we were really excited about the role as we knew that it would move us in the right direction as an actor as well as a human being. Pratibha: Surprisingly, all three of us knew after the audition that we had gotten the part (Sparsh and Nitanshi nod). Sparsh: Romil Jain, the casting director, called us and offered the role. We read the four pages of the film’s plot. It was so well written that we knew that film bhi achchi hi banegi. In 30 minutes, I sent the audition video. Romil called and asked me ‘Kaunsi teri train chhutne waali hai ki tune aadhe ghante mein bhej diya?’! Then, there was a lull of two months. I was getting desperate and you can’t even ask as the casting people can get irritated. Finally, Romil called and told me that I had bagged the part. Then Kiran ma’am called us and she asked us the feedback about the script. We sat in this very room.

How is Kiran Rao on the sets? Is she a taskmaster? Pratibha: Ma’am knows what she wants and how the actors should deliver. Aur aise mein taskmaster hona zaroori hai. She was not that difficult as a taskmaster. She would very sweetly convey what needs to be done. Sparsh: Her level of human management is insane. This applies not just to the actors but also to the crew. She created a lovely environment that was very supportive of us actors. On her sets, sab shaant rehte hai, chillana nahin hota. As a result, our performances improved. Pratibha: I remember I was on a set and an associate director used to talk rudely to us. As a result, meri energy down ho jaati thi. On the contrary, everyone on the set of this film would talk so lovingly. Nitanshi: We were given liberty to explore the characters but at the same time, there were certain rules. It was unsaid but you know ki yeh cheez aise present karni hai. Ma’am would ask how we’d like to do the scene and accordingly, she’ll guide us.

Laapataa Ladies was filmed more than 2 years ago, in early 2022 and it’s releasing in March 2024. What was the waiting period like? Did you guys ever get frustrated? Pratibha: Sir, pucho mat! I’d call Nitanshi and she’d call me. We’d only discuss, ‘Bhai, film kab aayegi?’. Nitanshi: The film was going to be released in March 2023 when my board exams were going on. I still remember it was going to release a day before my Science exams. I was like ‘Kaash dates idhar udhar ho jaaye’. I wouldn’t have been able to see the film at that point as my crucial exams were going to be held. Fir thodi aur postpone hui. Aur postpone hote hote it’s now finally coming a year later (laughs). Sparsh: But I feel waiting for two years was worth it. Aamir sir himself got involved with the film’s editing. The way he understands the pulse of the audience is incredible. I used to tell myself, ‘It’s ok that the film is getting delayed. Jab bhi aaye, sahi time pe aaye’. Nitanshi: And this is indeed the best time. Pratibha: During the trailer preview, Aamir sir was with us. He just saw the trailer once and said ‘Do frames sahi nahin hai’! We were so stunned. We were like, ‘Sir aapne kaise aur kab notice kiya?’ (laughs).

What did Aamir Khan say about your performance in the film? Nitanshi: Jab bhi woh bolte hai, hamare aankhon mein aansoo aa jaate hai. Woh itna accha bolte hai. We recently attended the film’s screening in Bhopal. Suddenly, we were told that Aamir sir wanted to meet us. He met us and said, ‘Kya perform kiya hai tum teeno ne’. He then pointed to the scenes that he loved. Pratibha and I looked at each other and asked in unison, ‘Ro le?’ (laughs)! Everytime he sees the film, he has some positive feedback for us. After all, who isn’t a fan of Aamir sir? Sparsh: At times, I can’t believe (when he praises). Main toh blank ho jaata hoon. As actors, it boosts us that we have done a great job and now we have to grow even more. Pratibha: Sir has seen the film a hundred times and sau baar dekhne ke baad, it’s not necessary ki aap har baar ro lo. But since he’s so sensitive and unka dil itna saaf hai, everytime he (gets teary-eyed). I wonder ‘After seeing the film so many times, how does he talk with the same emotion?’.

Sparsh, you played a villager before in Jamtara but Laapataa Ladies is set in a different space and even genre. How did you prep for it? Sparsh: I am glad you said that. Since I come from an acting school, I could have played it like I did in Jamtara, which would have made my work easier. People wouldn’t even have minded either. However, I shaped my part according to the feedback I got after discussing the role with Kiran ma’am. I came across a Zomato delivery person, Sanjay. His eyes had a lot of innocence. Deepak ki aankhon mein bhi kaafi maasomiyat hai. So, I was inspired by him. Nevertheless, I have tried making it different (from my earlier works). That’s what gives me a kick – to challenge myself.

How was it shooting in trains and railway stations that too at a place like Yeola where no film has been shot? Sparsh: Shooting on a train is a challenge. The director needs to tell the motorman to start the train when going for a take. If there’s a retake, the train has to go back which will take half an hour. So every take is risky because a wrong take will lead to a waste of time and money. Also, having 300 extras in the crowd was another challenge. And while shooting on the train, if you need to use the toilet, you can’t. Pratibha: Hum sab ne itna control kiya hai ki kya batayein (laughs).

Sparsh, there’s a scene in the film (also shown in the trailer) where you fall from the bicycle. How many retakes did you give and were you hurt? Sparsh: (Pauses) That’s a story in itself. Thanks to that scene, I had to go through a ligament surgery. I have this habit. Main ‘cut’ nahin bolta. I like the take to keep going. While filming, the chain of the cycle got entangled and I fell with a thud. I didn’t want to say ‘Cut’. So, I started running and that was a mistake. That aggravated the injury, resulting in surgery. Nevertheless, the take came out quite well. AKP took care of the surgery and expenses, for which I am really grateful. Pratibha: But he fell from the cycle one more time (laughs). Sparsh: Yes. It required me to ride the cycle with Nitanshi sitting on the ‘danda’ (frame). I was scared as Nitanshi was just 14 and is very delicate. Hence, I asked Ranta (Pratibha) to rehearse with me. Pratibha: Kyunki main girungi toh chalega! Sparsh: Well, yeah, yeh girti toh mujhe koi dikkat nahin thi (laughs)! I cycled with her thrice and there was no problem. Then, when I cycled with Nitanshi, we fell!

Interestingly, Laapataa Ladies has already been shown to many people across the country before the release… Pratibha: I believe that when actors go for city visits, they present the trailer of their film and talk about it. We, on the other hand, would screen our film! It’s a big risk to do so but the makers had that confidence. Otherwise, in today’s times, anyone can say anything on social media and try to harm the film. But I am so glad that only the good responses are pouring in. We are getting a lot of love. So, I haven’t seen the dark side of promotions and social media in this case. Sparsh: With this film, dark side hai hi nahin. It’s also Aamir sir and Kiran ma’am’s brilliance ki unko pata hai ki unhone kya film banayi hai.

Nitanshi, I believe that you are a part of Ajay Devgn’s Maidaan… Nitanshi (smiles): Yes, it’s finally releasing on Eid.

Were you also a part of Vicky Donor (2012)? What was your role? Sparsh and Pratibha (shocked): Really? Nitanshi (laughs): I was one of the 50-60 babies shown in the film’s climax. I was the cutest kid (laughs)! Jokes apart, there were many cute kids in the film.

Sparsh, you have another film in March, Ae Watan Mere Watan, co-starring Sara Ali Khan… Sparsh: Yes. We should meet again to talk about it! It’s a message-oriented film about the first radio station started by Indians.

Is there a possibility of a sequel to Laapataa Ladies? Nitanshi and Pratibha (excited): Yes, for sure! Sparsh: I want that humein iss characters ke upar films banate rehna chahiye!

Would it be called Laapataa Gents? Sparsh (laughs): Yes, I like it. Nitanshi and Pratibha: No, no. Ladies hi rahegi. Nitanshi: I have already thought of the plot. Pratibha: Maine bhi socha hai. Sparsh: You should narrate your ideas to Kiran ma’am.

What will you guys do on March 1, the day Laapataa Ladies releases? Pratibha: I’ll take time for myself, jo bade bade starts karte hai! Main woh feel lena shuru kar rahi hoon. I am not going to be tense just because it’s the release day. Hence, I’ll meditate and tell myself, ‘Aal izz well’ (laughs)! Nitanshi: I have no plans. I’ll go with the flow. Pratibha: You know what, we should all pamper ourselves. We should go for breakfast or brunch. Sparsh: I think I am going to sleep till late. Pratibha: Toh fir seedha brunch pe mil. Nitanshi: Sounds like a plan. Sparsh (tells the writer in a lighter vein): Aap bhi aa jaana!

Also Read: Aamir Khan strikes a pose with Laapataa Ladies cast in latest promo; watch

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