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‘I don’t believe in convincing an actor’

Accused of glorifying gambling, the film has caused a fair amount of controversy but Leena insists it is more an insight into life in general. Here she tells us more.

Taking a sabbatical of four years after Shabd:

It was not a sabbatical at all. I was around. But that’s the kind of time I require to come back. There’s no fixed plan as to when would be the appropriate time to start a venture. When I have a subject that I like myself, I take time writing the script and getting the things in place. So it could be six months to a year or four years.

Thinking of Big B while scripting:

Generally while scripting I don’t think about casting a particular actor. But yes after the script was done (first final draft), the first person we wanted to cast was Mr. Bachchan. We thought he was the best guy to play the role of Prof. Venkat.

Convincing Amitabh Bachchan:

Honestly I don’t believe in convincing an actor. I think the actor looks at the script, characterisation, set up and obviously the director should be someone he can trust then he agrees to be a part of it. We read the script to him and he agreed to be a part of it.

Difficult part about making a film:

I don’t find anything difficult about it that’s why I am in this field. There are a lot of challenges but I think that’s what gets the adrenaline flowing. I think due to my well wishers’ support, the challenges never became difficulties.

Why Ben Kingsley was cast:

The prerequisite was we needed a western actor and the kind of role it was, it needed a very enigmatic kind of presence and a really good actor to play it. The role was of a mathematician that Mr. Bachchan’s character really admires a lot. I think because of the impact of Gandhi and many other great films, Sir Ben was our first choice.

We approached him through his agents and we sent him a translated (to English) script. This was so that he gets a feel of the complete film and not just his character. He liked the film, he liked the role and luckily for us the dates also worked out. That’s how he became a part of Teen Patti.

Copy of Hollywood film 21:

I think it’s been perceived as that because we have a college backdrop and a gambling backdrop. Other than that there is no similarity whether in the plot or the characterisation. And instead of giving out any clarifications I would leave it to the audience to go and watch it.

A new star cast:

In the film they are all in the age group of 20 to 25-year olds. So we wanted people who catered to that age group and secondly we thought this was an instant platform to get some fresh and young talent.

Not using established actors to avoid ego clashes:

I don’t think you think of such things. You just want to get the best suited cast for your film to play the appropriate characters. These things are made up; if you are making a film and people are onboard for the right reasons then such things do not happen.