"There’s so much more to Anil Kapoor; ‘Savi’ will be a revelation"

A crime thriller, ‘Savi’, has Divya Khossla and Harshvardhan Rane playing important roles in the film. But the interesting highlight of the film is Anil Kapoor. The actor is seen essaying a role in which he has sported different looks and lit up the screen with his presence. During the unveiling of the trailer of the film, Divya and director Abhinay Deo spilled some beans on Anil Kapoor’s role, which has been kept secret by the producers.

Divya reveals that her film is based on the age-old story of Savitri and Satyavan and said, “I had heard the story of Sati Savitri, in which Savitri fights with Yamraj to get her husband back. That story is of courage and determination. It is about what a woman can fight with the entire universe for the love of her life. I am proud to say that our film Savi is a modernised tale of Savitri, and that’s what we are showing to Indian audiences. I think every woman will relate to this film; every woman is going to see Savitri in herself.”

Abhinay explains his reason of making this film and said, “Usually, we see male-centric films being made, here there was an opportunity to tell this story of a regular normal family comprising a husband, wife and son, you feel that the woman is leading a normal life but when her husband gets entangled in a problem and to what extent she goes to save him. The most important part for me to make the film was that it is a women-centric movie, it is a film about a simple woman, and Divya is seen as a vulnerable and simple woman, leading a simple life, but she does such an important thing in order to keep her family safe. That was the exciting thing for me in the film. The film has a depth, and I have seen women who are way stronger than men.”

In the film, Anil plays an important role and is seen donning different avatars. Elaborating on his role, Abhinay said, “It is an interesting and a flamboyant role. When we were discussing this role, we felt that Anil would be the best option. I have worked with him on two seasons of ‘24’ series, it was easy to approach him, and easy for him to say yes as he had a relationship with me, T-Series and Mukesh sir. It was a no brainer for him as well. It is a very different role in which you’ll see Anil Kapoor. It was not a difficult task to convince him.”

Abhinay and Anil are collaborating in this film after a long time. Talking about it, Abhinay said, “I worked with Anil in ‘24’s first season, which came in 2013 – eleven years back. I must say about Anil Kapoor that after eleven years, he has become eleven years younger! I am not kidding because he looks the same that we all know, but his energy level and zest to give a better shot is the same. When a director says I have got the shot, he says please let’s do one more take for me. So, this is rare because very few people have the energy to deliver something better and better. I guess if I work with him after eleven years, he will look the same or may be more energetic than this. That is Anil Kapoor for you. He is incredible.”

Remembering their first encounter on the sets, Divya said, “I have met Anil sir in the past many times, but when I met him on the sets, I had an action scene. The action person picked me up and threw me on the iron bar and I badly hurt the left side of my face. It was the tenth day of the shoot and I shot the entire film like that. I am a cry baby and I was crying loudly, Anil sir walks in on the sets. I felt comfortable looking at him as I felt that he is just like a member of my family. I started crying more, I was thinking that this scar will remain on my face and I won’t be able to work again. However, Anil sir said ‘I am 68 years old and it is my life experience that whenever the hero or heroine of the film gets injured, that film becomes a hit!’. I was surprised to hear that. But I have a lot of scenes with him and when you see the film you will know that we have an interesting chemistry. He is so passionate and inspirational. His role is a surprise package.”

‘Savi’ is co-produced by Mukesh Bhatt and it will feature a last song sung by late singer KK. The film is slated to release on May 31.