Theatre is his first love, but movies have kept him busy for
years. Recently he returned to the stage after a gap of 14 years
with "Bas Itna Sa Khwab", his fifth theatrical work.
Starring his actress wife Shefali in the lead, it is a Hindi
version of the famous Marathi play "Dhyanimani".
"Action Replayy", on the other hand, has been based
on his 1994 Gujarati play by the same name.
Penned by Kapadia and with Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai in
the lead, it is a time-travel comedy capturing Mumbai in the
1970s. Produced and directed by Shah, it also stars Neha Dhupia,
Randhir Kapoor and Rajpal Yadav in pivotal roles. It is releasing
Friday.
So are there any sci-fi elements in the movie to support the
time travel?
"No. It is fantasy, not science fiction. That's the biggest
difference. Indian audiences are not very keen to see science
fiction. Fantasies work. If I have to give a reference point
to 'Action Replayy', it would be 'Mr. India', which was not
a sci-fi but a fantasy," said Shah.
" 'Action Replayy' is a fantasy in the world of romantic
comedy and a romantic comedy in the world of fantasy. It is
about what happens if you get an opportunity to relive your
life. The film starts in 2010 and goes back in the 1970s,"
he added.
Romantic comedies are Shah's forte - he gave hits like "Namastey
London" and "Singh Is Kinng" with his favourite
actor Akshay.
"Camaraderie with Akshay has grown with time and it has
become bigger and better. I hope to continue my relationship
with Akshay and make some really fantastic cinema with him."
With "Action Replayy", the filmmaker presents Akshay
and Aishwarya for the first time as a romantic couple.
"In 'Khakee' (2004), they were not a romantic pair, but
in this film they will be romancing each other. They bring a
lot of freshness and terrific chemistry on screen," said
Shah.
He is tense about his movie's fate at the box office.
"Apprehensions will be there till the audience gives its
verdict. We will be tense, nervous with sleepless nights while
waiting for the release. But our expectations are high. We have
really worked hard and tried to make a product to entertain
the people. There is a festival bonanza on Diwali and that is
the expectation that we are hoping to fulfil," he said.
Shah's future projects are "Kuch Love Jaisa"; a remake
of Tamil hit "Kaakha Kaakha" with John Abraham; an
outing with Abhishek Bachchan; another with A.R. Murugadoss
and "Singh Is Kinng 2" with Akshay.