Like Padmavati, Journey of Bhangover also got delayed because of CBFC: Director

Mumbai: Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Padmavati’ was refused a certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification for ‘incomplete application’, and the board also decided to enforce a 68-day rule to 'stall the film', forcing makers to indefinitely postpone the release.

However, the magnum opus is not the only film to face delays because of the censor board. ‘Journey of Bhangover’, a comic thriller about five youths, also faced a delay of a month due to the film certification body.

Talking about it in an exclusive chat, the director Mahinder Singh Saniwal says, “Our film was earlier set to release on 17 November. ‘Padmavati’ got delayed because of the censors, and due to that same process, we also could not arrive on the scheduled date. We have now got a U/A certificate.”

While hangover is a commonly used term nowadays, ‘Bhangover’ is a new term, about which Saniwal explains, “People talk about hangover, but Bhang can’t call be called intoxication as people consume it during Shivratri and other festivals. The new idea about the term is basically about how a person reacts after consuming Bhang.”

The film stars five youths, all newcomers and their adventure as they encounter a Suthradhar, played by Hemant Dubey, a cop, Yashpal Sharma and a funny terrorist, Jaideep Ahlawat.

Saniwal says that the three notable actors said yes to the roles immediately after hearing the script and Yashpal, despite apprehensions in playing a cop initially, put his life into the film.

One of the actresses, Prerika Arora, who makes her debut with the film, wanted to be an actor since childhood, having done theatre, but got the call to audition when she was an assistant director. Despite being in talks with Anees Bazmee for ‘Mubarakan’, the actress chose ‘Journey of Bhangover’ as the former was taking time to go on floors.

“Before joining films, I had kept big expectations for my debut film and with the way this film has been made, I certainly have expectations. We have been promoting in Delhi, Mumbai and Pune; hoardings would be put up soon and the response has been amazing. Looking at the way people have been liking the trailer, I’m sure people will come to theatres and watch it,” Prerika, who calls Yashpal Sharma her inspiration, shares.

For one of the heroes, Anmol Khatri, acting was always the passion, but for his bread and butter, he was a dance instructor. Talking about the shoot of the film, for which his audition at midnight got him elected, he reveals, “The experience was very good. We had to travel 100 kms in the hills and get up early and be ready with make-up by 5 am.

"There was also a sort of an accident when our boat kept moving on its own, and we realised there was a problem when ropes were thrown to pull our boat. I didn’t think too much before jumping into the water to hold it, after which people kind of thought I’m a hero. I also got to learn a lot from Yashpal Sharma, Jaideep Ahlawat and Hemant Dubey.”

Khatri got the opportunity to display his talent of dancing in the film, but admits that getting the comic timing right with all other actors was a challenge. Calling ‘Journey of Bhangover’ his best launch, the debutant is extremely positive about the film, which he feels will help him immensely.

The most popular star in the film is however, 'Bigg Boss' season 11 contestant Sapna Chaudhary, who was earlier set to play one of the roles, but has performed an item song. Saniwal says the response to the song has even left the music company T-Series surprised. “They had earlier taken the song very lightly, but when its teaser immediately made its way to trending videos, they wondered if Sapna has such huge fan following. They also then postponed the release of a ‘Padmavati’ song to a later release date.”

Will ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’, releasing a week after ‘Journey of Bhangover’, make audiences wait longer to queue up at the theatres for their movie? “There would be an impact as people see the budget nowadays. That film will also be impacted as people tend to leave with family during Christmas holidays on 20^th, but our film is coming before that, so we have an advantage. I’m 100 per cent sure that even in second week, we’ll get the screens we are looking for.”

Saniwal feels people are always keen to see new faces on the big screen and reveals that everyone would wonder when the film ends as it is interesting from start to end, because it is not just about comedy but also has drama and emotions.

‘Journey of Bhangover, produced by Meenakshi Iyer and Mahinder Singh Saniwal, also starring Aradhya Taing, Jimmy Sharma and Palash Soni, hits the theatres on Friday.