‘U-Turn’ Director Arif Khan: Mohit Suri Has Been Like A Mentor To Me And Karan Johar Ignited My Passion For Cinema

Arif Khan is here with the Hindi remake of ‘U-Turn’. The film has been remade numerous times in different Indian and foreign languages, and finally, the film has made its way to the Hindi film industry with Alaya F in the lead role.

Talking to Prateek Sur, Arif Khan opens up about ‘U-Turn’, how this film is different from the other remakes, how Alaya F came into being the lead of the film, why he didn’t take the theatrical route and decided to release it on OTT and lots more. Excerpts from the chat:

‘U-Turn’ has been made already in so many different languages in India and abroad. Had you seen any of the previous films before you decided to make the Hindi remake?

No, I had not seen the previous ‘U-Turn’s before until I read the script. After this, I watched the previous movies to make sure that I treat this ‘U-Turn’ in a unique style.

In the times of OTT, when people get to see content from all languages and all parts of the world, don’t you think audiences would have already seen ‘U-Turn’ in some or the other language on OTT?

Absolutely yes. It is a well-celebrated film and has been watched by audiences all over. But this ‘U-Turn’ even though it has the same plot, the story is different and viewers will be hooked on to it even if they have seen the previous versions.

Why did you decide to release the film on OTT and not take the theatrical route?

This was a call taken mainly by the producers but I feel currently the medium of the film doesn't matter and an OTT release will reach to wider audiences and that is an advantage for our film.

Hindi films are not doing that well in theatres unless it’s big stars or someone. Do you think OTT has a role to play in this? Considering films come on OTT after 5-6 weeks of theatrical releases. So, the audience also ends up waiting a bit more and watching the film from the comfort of their homes rather than spending in theatres?

I feel the industry is always evolving and right now there is a wave of good content available on various mediums including theatre and OTT. People have an option to decide how they want to consume this content and that's a positive thing.

OTT is definitely booming in India. But is there any downside to this new-age digital medium?

I think it's not a downside. In fact, it has given plenty of opportunities to actors, producers, and technicians to showcase their talents and stories and bring them forward to a large audience.

What’s new that you’re bringing into the Hindi remake of ‘U-Turn’?

Firstly, this ‘U-Turn’ is a different story. The characters are more relatable, the pace of the film is more gripping, technically the film is advanced and overall, it is an edge-of-the-seat thriller that will titillate the minds of the viewers.

Was Alaya F your first choice for playing the lead role? Or did you have someone else in mind before, but later on Alaya came on board?

Alaya was on board even before I signed the film. In fact, I remember when I was told that she would be playing Radhika, I was thrilled as I had seen ‘Jawaani Jaaneman’ and absolutely loved her performance.

You’ve been an assistant director for quite a long time. What stopped you from taking it to the next level and finally directing something of your own?

I think ‘U-Turn’ came at the right point in my career and it was very essential for me to have all the experience that I gained in my many years assisting. Also, a lot of factors need to align to direct your first movie and I'm happy that Ekta Kapoor ma'am took the chance to believe in me to direct ‘U-Turn’ and give me this opportunity.

You’ve assisted some of the biggest names in directors all these years. Who has been the best when it comes to treating his/her assistants or taking input from them?

I think I was very lucky to work with directors that have always treated me and other members of the team with respect and I have learnt a lot from each one of them. Mohit Suri has been like a mentor to me and Karan Johar ignited my passion for cinema.

Any director who has been the strictest of them all?

I wouldn't say strict but while working with Pankaj Kapoor Sir on ‘Mausam’ we were a very disciplined unit and everything had to be perfect since he is a perfectionist himself.

What next can we see coming from your end?

At the moment I am developing my own script, also reading new stories and shall announce my next project soon.