Writer-producer Kanika Dhillon has been associated with films across genres that often become a talking point. One such film that she was a part of was Haseen Dillruba (2021). It was released directly on Netflix and got a huge response. The romantic thriller also ended at a significant juncture and it prompted the makers to come up with its sequel Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Kanika Dhillon talked about the film and a lot more.
EXCLUSIVE: Kanika Dhillon talks about Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba; reveals “Taapsee Pannu took a script from me during her wedding as shagun”; also reacts to uncanny similarity to Rashmi Rocket and Imane Khelif Olympics controversy
You and Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba’s lead Taapsee Pannu are like the Jai and Veeru of Bollywood! On Taapsee’s birthday on August 1, you posted a video that showed how you both and your friends had a lovely musical evening. Could you tell us what you gifted Taapsee on her birthday?
(Smiles) Taapsee Pannu took a script from me during her wedding as shagun. Aur birthday mein bhi woh mere se kahaniyaan hi leti hai! She’s very smart. She knows that the most valuable things I have are stories. She goes for the pot of gold (laughs)!
What a month it’s going to be for both of you. It was Taapsee Pannu’s birthday on August 1. Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba would release on August 9 followed by Taapsee’s other release, Khel Khel Mein, on August 15. And then it’ll be your birthday on August 25…
Oh, you remember. And yes, it’s going to be an action-packed month for us (laughs).
Usually, when filmmakers come up with a sequel, they add the word ‘2’ or ‘Returns’ after the original time. But Haseen Dillruba’s sequel has been named Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba. Why so?
When we were planning the sequel, we used to say ‘Phir se aa rahi hai Haseen Dillruba’. Even while talking to Taapsee, we used to say ‘Phir aa rahi hai Haseen Dillruba’. This is how we decided to name the film Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba. So, it happened organically.
How tough or challenging was for you to write the sequel of a film that was widely watched and loved?
When I wrote the first part, I didn’t intend to write the sequel. But I had a ball writing the film and becoming Dinesh Pandit. Writing pulp is also an escaping feeling. Hence, I felt that I should pick up the pen with that tone and edge. Also, I was absolutely in love with Rishu (Vikrant Massey) and Rani (Taapsee Pannu) myself and I was not ready to let go of them. Hence, it was a personal thing to write the sequel. And the love we got from the audience was commendable. Netflix also informed us about how much viewers have loved it. When a film gets so wholeheartedly loved and accepted, it gives you a boost to go out and push the envelope. The camaraderie that Vikrant, Taapsee and I shared in part 1 was also a key reason for me to go ahead and make part 2.
Sunny Kaushal is an addition this time to the cast…
Yes, and he’s a fantastic actor. Watch out for him. He’s phenomenal and I think this is his best work! He’s going to surprise as well as shock you.
Was it difficult for Vikrant Massey and Taapsee Pannu to go back into the crazy world of Haseen Dillruba?
No, and in fact, they made it so easy for me. Vikrant is a brilliant artist because he truly surrenders. Also, he got a lot of love for Haseen Dillruba. I don’t think anyone else could have played Rishu the way he did. One day he came home and told me, ‘Kanika, whatever you are writing for part 2, I am on’! The faith he had was quite overwhelming. Taapsee spoke on the same lines. When such talented artists have so much trust, magic happens. They were my strengths. I didn’t have to convince anyone. They were geared up and hence, it was a beautiful journey.
Before coming on board for Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, you wrote Dunki (2023). What were the lessons that you learned from writer-director Rajkumar Hirani and actor Shah Rukh Khan?
Raju sir and Shah Rukh sir are institutions in themselves and are legends. Every day that you interact with them is a learning in itself. Hence, for me, it was a great experience. But the world of Dunki and Haseen Dillruba are so different that I took time to get into the zone of Dinesh Pandit. The pen moves in a different rhythm when you are writing pulp. It’s a little more wicked, arrogant and dysfunctional. On top of it, when I was writing Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, I was also writing Do Patti. Both are poles apart in terms of treatment and cinematic approach. Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba was all about going out and the other was all about reigning it in. Being a producer on both, I also had a say on what the final version is going to be, what its tonality would be, etc. It was a great challenge and exciting for me as a writer-producer and it was a beautiful year for me (smiles).
Have Rajkumar Hirani and Shah Rukh Khan seen the promos of Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba?
I hope they have.
Will Do Patti also release this year?
Yes. Netflix will be announcing the date soon. I am a producer on that as well. It is my banner Katha Pictures’ first production. Kriti Sanon is also producing it and it has phenomenal actors like Kriti and Kajol.
There were reports that you are planning a crossover of Haseen Dillruba and Do Patti…
(Laughs) Aaj kal lagta haicrossovers ka zamana hai. The world of Hasseen Dillruba and Do Patti are poles apart. Artists ka crossover ho sakta hai but not of these two worlds. It is difficult to do a crossover of the two and ideally, it should not even happen.
Will there be Haseen Dillruba 3?
Never say never. Whether or not part 3 is there, Dinesh Pandit will continue to thrive as he has tasted blood. I have enjoyed writing and producing pulp. So, I’ll be doing a lot of it. Maybe the characters will be different but the world will be the same.
You also wrote Rashmi Rocket (2021) and many remembered it after the Imane Khelif controversy erupted at the 2024 Paris Olympics (it was alleged that Imane is a male and hence not eligible to fight as a female). Rashmi Rocket had the exact same plot…
Yes. When Rashmi Rocket was being made and written, a lot of research had gone into it. What was depicted in Rashmi Rocket has been the actual experience of many athletes in India as well. Hence, I am not surprised by the real-life experience in the Olympics this year. I totally empathize with her (Imane Khelif) and I hope the situation changes for the better in the future.
You had a lovely cameo in Judgementall Hai Kya (2019). Any plans to act more?
I am a mom to a toddler, I have Katha Pictures to run and I am also writing. Amid all these activities, acting will be a bit too much. I was featured in a show about working mothers. Also, I write and produce much better than I act. Secondly, one requires a lot of patience to be an actor. And I am a workaholic; I can work 24 hours a day. I barely sleep. So, if I have to wait with my make-up on, I’ll drive everybody else on the set crazy. Hence, it’s safer for me to be a writer and a producer and not be an actor for everyone around me for their sanity (laughs)!
Also Read: Taapsee Pannu says, “I won’t invest my time, effort, or blood pressure on people I don’t care about” as Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba co-stars Vikrant Massey and Sunny Kaushal recall being scolded on set
More Pages: Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba Box Office Collection
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