Renowned Indian film producer Sajid Nadiadwala celebrates his 57th birthday on February 18. Reflecting on his Bollywood journey, he shares insights and opens up about the infamous 'Jaan-E-Mann' controversy in a captivating conversation with senior journalist Bharathi S. Pradhan.
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00:00 Why do you use Shahrukh Khan only in guest appearances?
00:03 You have made such big films.
00:22 You have made Hey Baby which is your latest big hit.
00:25 But I believe you started your career as a spot boy for Dharmendra.
00:30 You also did driving for Sangeeta Bijlani.
00:34 So can you tell us something about that?
00:36 In 1981, I had passed my graduation.
00:40 I wanted to apply for IAS.
00:43 I went to my uncle and he said...
00:46 You mean you were academically inclined? You were not interested in films?
00:52 No, not at all.
00:54 We used to watch Dharam's films 50 times a week.
01:00 I was a big fan of Dharamji.
01:02 I came to know that my uncle was making Ghulami.
01:04 He gave me the opportunity to be an assistant.
01:07 I had a list of films that I was 9th or 10th.
01:11 So the work of the film was very formal.
01:14 I used to get tea leaves.
01:17 I used to check whether Dharamji's room was clean or not.
01:20 I used to check if the air-conditioning was working.
01:22 And if the driver was not there, I used to do the work of the driver.
01:25 So you did all this.
01:27 So you know what production actually is.
01:29 Actually, I am a spot boy.
01:31 You are a spot boy.
01:33 Yes.
01:35 I believe you started your career as an independent producer.
01:39 You started in 1990.
01:41 How was that experience?
01:43 You were an assistant, a spot boy and a driver.
01:49 How did you feel when you became a producer?
01:53 In 1990, I was an assistant because Dharamji was there.
01:59 I was a big fan of Dharamji.
02:01 My dad had made a film with Dharamji.
02:03 My grandfather and uncle had made a film with Dharamji.
02:05 So I had only one condition.
02:07 If I make my first film, it will be with Dharamji.
02:09 So in 1990, I approached him.
02:13 And that was the first film with Dharamji and Govinda.
02:15 Zoon Ki Ukmat.
02:17 It took 2-3 years.
02:19 A new producer takes time.
02:21 But it was a very good campaign.
02:23 And did you make money also?
02:25 Money?
02:27 First 10 years, I didn't make any money.
02:29 Still you kept making films.
02:31 Yes.
02:33 I made Andul and then Vakth Hamara with Akshay and Sunil Shetty.
02:37 This is Vakth Hamara.
02:39 It was a very controversial film.
02:41 Actually, Akshay's Khewari was not released.
02:45 And Sunil Shetty's film was my first film.
02:49 Akshay was in my school.
02:51 And Sunil was in my college.
02:53 And it was a clash between the two.
02:57 So the school people thought I was taking the side of the college people.
03:01 And the college people thought...
03:03 But it was a big hit at that time.
03:05 It was a big hit.
03:07 And the combination was also...
03:09 First time, it was a fresh pairing.
03:11 Akshay and Sunil.
03:13 And after that, they made many films.
03:15 So this is your record that you bring very fresh teams in films.
03:19 Since then, I have tried.
03:23 Whether it is Sunil Govinda or Dharmendra Govinda.
03:27 Akshay Kumar and Sunil Shetty.
03:29 After that, my first combination was Sunny Deol and Salman Khan.
03:33 Then Loni and Kareeti came for the first time.
03:35 Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega.
03:37 Akshay Kumar and Salman again.
03:39 So all my films...
03:41 USP has been a new casting.
03:43 Even in Hey Baby, Akshay is working for the first time with Vidya.
03:47 With Ritesh for the first time.
03:49 I try to keep this team and the combination away.
03:53 When you made Vakth Hamara Hai...
03:57 Don't you think you had a lot of...
04:01 Between Akshay and Sunil Shetty...
04:03 We used to hear that there was a lot of tension.
04:07 Because both of them were action heroes.
04:09 Both of them wanted the best.
04:11 And I don't think they were getting along.
04:13 No, no. It's not like that.
04:15 When actors did 10 films...
04:21 There were 10 producers for a set of actors.
04:23 And 10 for the other.
04:25 So there was a lot of tension between the producers.
04:27 Because their genre and the film has to be the same.
04:29 So the media was more creative.
04:33 Then slowly slowly started creeping into the film also.
04:35 By the time the film was over.
04:37 Then after that there were so many films.
04:39 So there was one film left.
04:41 Till today they are doing Hira Pheri and all these films together.
04:45 So it was like that.
04:47 After 6 months.
04:49 Tension.
04:51 That didn't affect the film, the shooting?
04:53 No, no. The film was made in a very record time.
04:55 6 months, 5 months we finished the film.
04:57 You made your first film with Salman Khan.
05:01 Where he did Double Rule.
05:03 Joodhava.
05:05 What was that like?
05:07 Because I think Salman had a very different image with him.
05:09 Aashish Bhai. Prem.
05:11 And David was from Goan school.
05:15 And the combination of Prem and David.
05:19 Was very unacceptable on the script level.
05:21 He was very unsure of doing the film.
05:25 David has always worked with Govinda that time.
05:29 So when I went back.
05:31 There was a lot of thought.
05:33 That in the industry this combination won't work.
05:37 Because that was very timely acting.
05:39 Very relaxed.
05:41 And this is a hot film.
05:43 So how will the combination be?
05:45 And what if I am kind of like.
05:47 Pemple were not sure.
05:49 During the shooting.
05:51 Because Salman's style was different.
05:53 I was different.
05:55 But when I did Hum Aapke Kaun.
05:57 I did Pyaar Kiya.
05:59 So it was very different from the school.
06:01 But while making we had problems.
06:03 Because we had a different style.
06:05 Because we had a different style.
06:07 Because we had a different style.
06:09 But I think the first 15-20 days.
06:11 We had to reshoot some scenes again.
06:13 But then the film took.
06:15 3 months.
06:17 3 months.
06:19 3 months.
06:21 I think all the people around.
06:23 Were not sure.
06:25 About the film.
06:27 Except me.
06:29 I thought the film.
06:31 Will do well.
06:33 Salman was not sure.
06:35 But the final copy.
06:37 Was something else.
06:39 And from there.
06:41 David and Salman.
06:43 Became a good team.
06:45 Because the way Salman works.
06:47 And the way David shoots.
06:49 There can't be a better combination.
06:51 But I have heard.
06:53 That you.
06:55 Generally you get along with people.
06:57 For up to a point.
06:59 Like you made a lot of films with Salman.
07:01 But since you.
07:03 Married me with Akshay Kumar.
07:05 After that you have.
07:07 Repeated them in Jaane Man.
07:09 But you didn't take Salman in Hey Baby.
07:11 You didn't take him.
07:13 In Guest Appearance.
07:15 What is the reason?
07:17 I make my films.
07:19 In December.
07:21 With Salman.
07:23 Actually this film.
07:25 Was made in 6 months.
07:27 So Jaane Man was extended.
07:29 That's why people had this thought.
07:31 I had discussed this film.
07:33 With him.
07:35 And told him that I am making a film.
07:37 And Sajid Khan is the director.
07:39 And Jaane Man was delayed.
07:41 I told him that the pressure.
07:43 Is increasing on him.
07:45 He never refuses any film.
07:47 Which I tell him.
07:49 I wanted to give him another reason.
07:51 There were so many films in queue.
07:53 Because of this Jaane Man took.
07:55 1 and a half year.
07:57 He was doing my film only.
07:59 Okay.
08:01 And the partner was waiting.
08:03 To be completed.
08:05 There was one more film of his.
08:07 Babu was there.
08:09 And people would have suffered.
08:11 Which is not right.
08:13 I mean.
08:15 There are so many pressures.
08:17 Here you get the name.
08:19 Which are not right.
08:21 Here the pressure comes.
08:23 Till 14-15 years.
08:25 We have worked together.
08:27 There are people speculating.
08:29 What is it?
08:31 We have moved ahead.
08:33 We will not do it now.
08:35 People have work.
08:37 We are starting.
08:39 We were making a film.
08:41 Now it is released.
08:43 There is a film.
08:45 His film.
08:47 Now it is released.
08:49 So imagine the pressure.
08:51 So it is not right.
08:53 Okay.
08:55 So now.
08:57 Whenever I am in a camp.
08:59 I am tired.
09:01 So both of you decided to take a break.
09:03 It is natural.
09:05 I make a film.
09:07 I tell him what I am making.
09:09 Your favourite number is 9.
09:11 According to numerology.
09:13 Your name is also 9.
09:15 And I think Akshay Kumar.
09:17 And Salman Khan are also 9.
09:19 That is why you are with them.
09:21 With Farah Khan.
09:23 But not her husband.
09:25 I do not know.
09:27 I do not think so.
09:29 Because from the way.
09:31 Your equation has been with Sirish.
09:33 I think he is number 9.
09:35 I do not think he is number 9.
09:37 My sister.
09:39 My daughter.
09:41 I am number 9.
09:43 I am talking professionally.
09:45 Because I.
09:47 Whatever you have.
09:49 In the film.
09:51 We have never heard any controversy with you.
09:53 Personally.
09:55 I have heard that there was a problem between Akshay and Sunil.
09:57 But never with you.
09:59 But in the time of Jane Man.
10:01 There were many controversies.
10:03 You gave a break to Farah Khan's husband.
10:05 Sirish Kundal.
10:07 But he.
10:09 Before the release of the film.
10:11 He gave an interview.
10:13 He will never work with you again.
10:15 He did not like this experience.
10:17 Working with you.
10:19 What will you say about this?
10:21 Actually.
10:23 I will show you later.
10:25 Before this interview.
10:27 I was a squad.
10:29 I did not get any clarification.
10:31 But you know how clarifications are.
10:33 But what happens.
10:35 I have worked with this new generation.
10:37 20-25 years.
10:39 We are people working from 1980s.
10:41 So it can happen.
10:43 But it is not such a big thing.
10:45 That there was an issue.
10:47 Or there was a fight.
10:49 Or something happened.
10:51 Absolutely not.
10:53 The film was up and down.
10:55 Because the film got delayed.
10:57 Because of water problem.
10:59 Or set issue.
11:01 Or other issues.
11:03 Salman's hair issue.
11:05 New generation.
11:07 They want to work 24x7.
11:09 And they.
11:11 They get very tensed.
11:13 They are so involved creatively.
11:15 So where is our production.
11:17 I feel.
11:19 Where is the shortcoming.
11:21 Tomorrow my son grows up.
11:23 He will also have the same problem with me.
11:25 So we have to.
11:27 Update ourselves regularly.
11:29 But do you think Jane Man.
11:31 Your good records.
11:33 That you will marry me.
11:35 Was a big hit.
11:37 Jane Man.
11:39 Got a flop.
11:41 Do you think that is because.
11:43 You and the director were not getting along.
11:45 I was doing the making.
11:47 Absolutely till that article.
11:49 Which came out.
11:51 We were not getting along.
11:53 The biggest.
11:55 Highest in my life.
11:57 We said.
11:59 We have to get Farah married.
12:01 To get Farah married.
12:03 So that was my.
12:05 And Sajid Khan's dream.
12:07 And that came true.
12:09 We saw her hall.
12:11 Her mehendi.
12:13 Her saree.
12:15 Her small dishes.
12:17 Everything.
12:19 We supervised everything.
12:21 For us to have problems.
12:23 With her husband.
12:25 Impossible.
12:27 Nothing can come between Farah.
12:29 And us.
12:31 Not even Farah.
12:33 It's a film.
12:35 It's not the end of the world.
12:37 But she means a lot.
12:39 The 10 years we have shared.
12:41 Our life.
12:43 That cannot come back.
12:45 But Farah Khan.
12:47 Did choreography in all your films.
12:49 Yes.
12:51 With all my heart.
12:53 She did it with all her heart.
12:55 But Hey Baby.
12:57 Which was directed by her brother.
12:59 Sajid Khan.
13:01 She did not do the whole choreography.
13:03 She did two songs.
13:05 Her film was being made.
13:07 Om Shanti.
13:09 And we were finishing the whole film.
13:11 In Australia.
13:13 She was not there.
13:15 She did the rest of the songs.
13:17 She did the whole choreography.
13:19 So it is not like.
13:21 After Janne Man.
13:23 There is tension between you and Farah.
13:25 And she will not do your choreography.
13:27 Not at all.
13:29 Can you tell me.
13:31 With Shah Rukh Khan.
13:33 We hear.
13:35 That he had a major problem with you.
13:37 Because.
13:39 He has done a guest appearance.
13:41 This was the second guest appearance.
13:43 He did with you.
13:45 And now.
13:47 He did a very good guest appearance.
13:49 In Hey Baby.
13:51 But when you.
13:53 Did the trials of the film.
13:55 You did not show his promos.
13:57 What is the problem?
13:59 I did not know.
14:01 I read it.
14:03 I spoke to him.
14:05 There was nothing like that.
14:07 There were two or three papers.
14:09 Two papers.
14:11 In the morning.
14:13 I have to bring new movies.
14:15 And then.
14:17 You keep clarifying.
14:19 It started two years ago.
14:21 And.
14:23 There was no print number.
14:25 In the first one.
14:27 The copy of the censor.
14:29 What you send for the censor.
14:31 That does not have a trailer.
14:33 Because that is not allowed.
14:35 The trailer is made in that censor.
14:37 Someone must have caught the point.
14:39 I did not see the trailer.
14:41 I copied it.
14:43 And then.
14:45 I got the news channels.
14:47 I got the daily and monthly.
14:49 You are putting all the blame on the media.
14:51 That means.
14:53 There is no problem at all.
14:55 If there is a court.
14:57 Then there is a 100% thing.
14:59 Like you asked me about Farrah.
15:01 If there is a court.
15:03 I can make like that.
15:05 But from my sources.
15:07 It is done to that.
15:09 So you are saying.
15:11 That between you and Shah Rukh Khan.
15:13 There was no problem.
15:15 There is no tension at all.
15:17 But Shah Rukh Khan.
15:19 Such a good favor he has done to us.
15:21 Take a copy.
15:23 My film's print will be around 1100.
15:25 In 1100 print.
15:27 Till the time the trailer can run.
15:29 I will not sign.
15:31 So in 1100.
15:33 One copy of the censor.
15:35 If it does not run in 1100.
15:37 He is so above all this.
15:39 He will think like this.
15:41 And I will think.
15:43 I will print it in 10,000.
15:45 I will print it in 1,000.
15:47 It is so childish.
15:49 And the reason they are working.
15:51 They are very small minded people.
15:53 I will print it in 10,000.
15:55 But he took it out of me.
15:57 But why do you use Shah Rukh Khan.
15:59 Only in guest appearance.
16:01 Never thought of him.
16:03 You have not even thought of him.
16:05 I would not think.
16:07 But for a special appearance.
16:09 He did it for me.
16:11 In this special appearance.
16:13 I had no role at all.
16:15 I didn't meet him on that.
16:17 Shah Rukh Khan's dream was.
16:19 When he made that film.
16:21 At least one day.
16:23 He will work with Shah Rukh.
16:25 Yes I have discussed it with him.
16:27 That was how the whole thing came.
16:29 I was nowhere in the picture.
16:31 Because I am not ashamed of myself.
16:33 You can't again and again.
16:35 Go to the same person.
16:37 And.
16:39 He is such a big actor.
16:41 Which company will I like to work with him.
16:43 And.
16:45 To.
16:47 Sajid.
16:49 You have given break to many new directors.
16:51 Can you tell me a little.
16:53 Why do you take this risk.
16:55 See.
16:57 Filmmaking itself is a risk process.
16:59 Scripts.
17:01 You can play on your hands.
17:03 Like.
17:05 Surah.
17:07 Saar.
17:09 The genre is very limited.
17:11 You can only change.
17:13 Like if you see Haini.
17:15 You must have seen Bibi's film before.
17:17 Because the new director.
17:19 His originality.
17:21 That comes out different.
17:23 Even if you see Jhaneman.
17:25 Jassi media film.
17:27 It's a different story.
17:29 You can see the perception of directors.
17:31 It's different.
17:33 You won't see that in other directors.
17:35 So that gives a freshness.
17:37 Actors I am not good with.
17:39 I am not good with newcomers.
17:41 I have given.
17:43 Akshay when he was new.
17:45 Priyanka when she was new.
17:47 Satsuni.
17:49 All the girls.
17:51 When Preeti came new.
17:53 But still I am not very.
17:55 With absolute newcomers I am not good.
17:57 Subed for developers.
17:59 I am very good.
18:01 And where do you think.
18:03 Jhaneman went wrong.
18:05 As a film.
18:07 I felt.
18:09 I should have come as an independent.
18:11 Release.
18:13 My company.
18:15 I take that blame for it.
18:17 Because I feel that film.
18:19 Got shadowed because of Don.
18:21 It is one of my favorite film.
18:23 And I think.
18:25 Everything was fine.
18:27 But I felt.
18:29 I should have come as an independent.
18:31 Didn't you feel.
18:35 About that film.
18:37 There was a lot of negative energy.
18:39 From the film.
18:41 Yes.
18:43 Salman also had problems.
18:45 During the film.
18:47 Salman.
18:49 In spite of all the problems.
18:51 I had completed the film.
18:53 It was a very big thing.
18:55 I kept aside all the films.
18:57 And saw to it.
18:59 That I don't have any problem.
19:01 Nature has a problem.
19:03 You can't blame anyone.
19:05 What will you do.
19:07 But.
19:09 There was something.
19:11 From the beginning.
19:13 There was a problem.
19:15 The first set was financial.
19:17 The second set was financial.
19:19 It had its own problems.
19:21 I released it.
19:23 I can't take.
19:25 An escape route.
19:27 I gave up.
19:29 I shouldn't have.
19:31 Had a.
19:33 Salman's release.
19:35 With any other film.
19:37 I hear that.
19:39 Apart from producing films.
19:41 You have made so many films.
19:43 I have heard.
19:45 You have become a peace broker.
19:47 Between Priyanka Chopra.
19:49 And her ex secretary.
19:51 They had a lot of problems in the court.
19:53 There were a lot of court battles.
19:55 But I heard.
19:57 You have made their compromise.
19:59 Both Priyanka and Jaju.
20:01 I knew them earlier.
20:03 And their problems were solved.
20:05 I didn't go into it.
20:07 Who was right and wrong.
20:09 And I was away from it.
20:11 Because Priyanka.
20:13 Had a big break.
20:15 She got married to me.
20:17 But I kept away from it.
20:19 I thought it was her personal problem.
20:21 It was only when.
20:23 Her dad was not well.
20:25 I thought I should.
20:27 Interfere.
20:29 And with respect.
20:31 In my decision.
20:33 I thought I have done my job.
20:35 It was not a big deal.
20:37 I thought.
20:39 You have a problem with your personal.
20:41 I will not interfere.
20:43 But when it becomes something.
20:45 To do with somebody's health.
20:47 I felt I should have.
20:49 Sajid you look.
20:51 Very simple.
20:53 But you have had a very colourful life.
20:55 Personal life.
20:57 You were married to Divya Bharti.
20:59 And you were engaged to Tabu.
21:01 But you got married to someone else.
21:03 So you have also had a very colourful life.
21:05 Isn't it?
21:07 But those were colourful times.
21:09 Those were my 20s and 30s.
21:11 After 30, 33.
21:13 I started becoming.
21:15 Domesticated.
21:17 Vardaan has made you domesticated.
21:19 Life.
21:21 It had been everything at that time.
21:23 And now.
21:25 I am a very honest husband now.
21:27 But are you still friendly with Tabu?
21:29 Absolutely.
21:31 It was not one of those 16 year old break up.
21:33 We had a lot of fire between us.
21:35 It was an understanding.
21:37 She is very mature.
21:39 We meet and we talk on phone.
21:41 My wife is aware of it.
21:43 I go to her house now.
21:45 It's very.
21:47 But no film with Tabu?
21:49 I haven't made a film like that yet.
21:51 Very clever.
21:53 Is this correct?
21:55 That you are still friendly with Divya Bharti's family?
21:57 Yes of course.
21:59 You are still very friendly with your parents?
22:01 Yes.
22:03 I have also heard that you call them when you have a trial.
22:05 They are part of every occasion of us.
22:07 They have been a family.
22:09 I like the quote when his father told that time.
22:11 I lost a daughter but I gained a son.
22:13 That has got us more together.
22:15 Last 5 years we have been more closer.
22:17 And Sajidwala, Nadia Dwala.
22:19 Are you going to be turning director also?
22:21 I don't think.
22:23 I am little lethargic that way.
22:25 I am a little lazy.
22:27 I can't do anything.
22:29 I am a little lazy.
22:31 I can't do anything.
22:33 I am a little lazy.
22:35 I can't do anything.
22:37 I am a little lazy.
22:39 I can't work.
22:41 I have to work 9 to 9.
22:43 I am very happy.
22:45 When all the directors start having problems with me.
22:47 Then it is a different story.
22:49 But now all my directors are very happy with me.
22:51 And they want to work with me again.
22:53 And they want to work with me again.
22:55 My last question.
22:57 If you have to choose between Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan.
22:59 Whom would you choose?
23:05 Good question.
23:07 Why do you want to put that?
23:09 You want that.
23:13 I won't work with one person.
23:15 Laughing.
23:17 Laughing.
23:19 Laughing.
23:21 Laughing.
23:23 Laughing.
23:25 (upbeat music)
23:27 [BLANK_AUDIO]