Lara Dutta Speak about her latest film: Chalo Dilli is a profitable movie: The unconventionally-paired Lara Dutta and Vinay Pathak speak about their upcoming film 'Chalo Dilli', which is also Lara's first as a producer.

Seated in the recording room of Mehboob studio since 1 pm, this writer met Vinay Pathak and Lara Dutta, the unlikely pair of Chalo Dilli (which releases on April 29), after a four hour wait. Vinay, full of energy and wit was simple dressed in a pair of jeans and a black shirt and Lara looked stunning in her short dress.

Despite having given several interviews since morning, the duo still looked very excited to talk about their film. Excerpts:

What is Chalo Dilli all about?
Vinay Pathak: Chalo Dilli is a story-oriented and content-driven film. It's a story that characters tell because the situations move them forward.

Is it an out-and-out commercial film?
Lara Dutta: Chalo Dilli has more commercial content than any other commercial film.

What are the various locations in which the film has been shot?
LD: The film starts with two people trying to get from Mumbai to Delhi. We've also extensively shot in Jaipur, the Shekhawati region including Jhunjhunu, Sikar and that entire belt.

The two of you make for quite an unconventional pair. What do you have to say about that?
LD: That's what the story is all about. In the film, we're two as-different-as-can-be people on a journey together, but on a personal level, we are not that different. Not as different as the characters of Manu Gupta and Mihika Banerjee (played by Vinay and Lara respectively).
VP: (Interrupts) Yes, we're not like chalk and cheese in reality. For example, we're both vegetarians.
LD: (Laughs)

How did you get into the creative side of producing the film?
LD: I always wanted to produce a film and the opportunity presented itself with the perfect script that was suited to be Bheegi Basanti Production's first film.

Chalo Dilli has an item number 'Laila Main Laila'. Is it a gimmick to attract the audience?
VP: (Immediately) Not in this one!
LD: (Clarifies) The item song has been part of Bollywood for decades. If there is a possibility within a film to have a song in the music score that adds a little bit of zing to the music album, then why not utilise it?

But don't you think there's already too much criticism about reviving the classics?
LD: We are not the first ones to remix an old song and we won't be the last ones either. I think this song has picked up really well among the audiences.

(To Lara) How different is life after marriage? Do you miss being single?
LD: It's not much of a difference. In fact, Mahesh and I work a lot more now than we used to. I don't miss being single at all.

You think Bollywood is biased against giving married women work?
LD: No. It's never been biased and now especially I think the line between married and unmarried actresses has blurred. All the recently married actresses are working today at the same pace as before marriage.

There is a popular sentiment that exists in the industry – 'actors who don't get work, start their own production house.' Please comment.
LD: Are these the people who never started their own production house and therefore look at the people who did start and then point fingers? I would advise them to start a production house and then tell me what their reasons are for starting it.

Is it true that Akshay Kumar has done a cameo in the film?
LD: The film has many cameos. I can't reveal the truth. You need to watch the movie to know that.

(To Vinay) You had to gain 12 kgs for playing Manu Gupta's character. Was it easy or difficult?
VP: The easy part was not exercising and eating. The difficult part was gaining weight, getting tired and losing stamina.

Are you being typecast in comedy roles after Bheja Fry?
VP: I have done serious films like Manorama Six Feet Under, Johnny Gaddaar and Khoya Khoya Chand. The reason is Bheja Fry became a huge hit and people don't want to see my other films. But I am thankful that Bheja Fry happened to me as it also gave me an opportunity to do a film like Chalo Dilli. It's the character and the story that appeals to me, if it tends towards comedy then I don't mind.

How was the experience of working together?
LD: The major reason why I wanted to do this film was because I knew Vinay was associated it. It's very gratifying to work with an actor like him.