Jugjugg Jeeyo director Raj Mehta talks collaborating with ‘legends’ Anil Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor

In a recent interview with ETimes, Jugjugg Jeeyo director Raj Mehta shared his experiences working with Anil Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor. Raj earlier served as the Chief AD(assistant director) alongside Varun Dhawan in the films Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya and Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya . In his debut film, Good Newzz, the filmmaker collaborated with Kiara Advani.

The filmmaker explains the opportunity to collaborate with performers from two different eras in the same project. While mentioning his film and collaborated with Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor Khan on Good Newzz. Raj remarked"I remember thinking, 'Is this really happening?' I got that same feeling working with Anil sir and Neetu ma’am. They’re legends."

As Raj mentions, he must be grateful of the fact that they are renowned actors while simultaneously leading the crew.

Also read: Exclusive! Jugjugg Jeeyo: Varun Dhawan and Kiara Advani take yellow taxi ride, enjoy biryani, Galawati kebab and mishti doi in Kolkata 

The director went on to explain how Neetu entered the team. Raj is extremely grateful to producer Karan Johar. He was key in encouraging Neetu, who seemed hesitant and confused after her husband, Rishi Kapoor, passed.

“Karan told her that it was a good story and she should do it, all this happened before I went and narrated the script,” Raj added. The director also said “Thankfully, she loved the story after the narration. She took some time to think about it, simply because she had some apprehensions about whether she wanted to work or not. A week later, she said, 'I’m on'.”

The filmmaker continued on how he had previously worked with Varun and Kiara, but it was his first opportunity to work with senior performers like Neetu and Anil. He mentioned "I have realized that legends are easier to direct and they're more adaptable. Neither Anil sir, not Neetu ma'am had the attitude that they have done so many films."

Raj also mentioned the resemblance among the two generations of performers. He claims that "I think Varun is the younger version of Anil sir. They’re both so passionate about their work."

According to Raj, there is no distinction between performers based on their generation. As he stated, Anil used to spend a lot of time planning and practicing a lot with his script, but Akshay was more impulsive.

While wrapping off his interview, the filmmaker mentioned both of the couples in the film who seek divorces. Raj simply responded by quoting Neetu's dialogue from the trailer, "'Rishta tootne ki koi ek wajah nahin hoti. Bahut si adhoori ladaiyon ki thakaan hoti hai bas (There's no one reason why relationships break up. It's just the fatigue or countless unresolved fights)."