FTER four years, Shraddha Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor will be seen as a lead pair in Batti Gul Meter Chalu. Shahid plays the role of a lawyer while Shraddha will be seen as his love interest. The film is directed by Shree Narayan Singh of Toilet: Ek Prem Katha fame. Batti Gul Meter Chalu, which deals with the issue of inflated electricity bills, also stars Yami Gautam and Divyendu Sharma and will hit the theatres September 21. Sunday POST spoke over the telephone with Shahid Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor to learn more about the film.
Shahid said that the film’s trailer had received a good response. “People are curious as they have heard that it’s a different kind of movie and they want to know more. It is always good to tickle people’s curiosity. I hope they like the movie.”
Shahid shed some light on what the movie is all about.
“This is a commercial entertainer. The core issue comes to the fore towards the second half of the movie. So, when you enter the theatre and the movie begins, it will have songs, fun, friends, parents and other aspects; but when you leave the theatre, you will remember only the issue it sought to raise. I hope the seriousness of the issue gets conveyed.
“There is a misconception among people that this movie is about electricity theft, it is not. It’s about the conspiracy behind exorbitant electricity bills. I think this is something we all face at different levels. For people who are self-employed or in small jobs, it’s a real issue. And I think most of them feel frustrated that they can’t fight the system and are eventually bullied into paying those bills, as electricity is a fundamental need. That’s what we discuss in the film,” Shahid said.
Shahid also shared some fun moments related to power cuts from his childhood days.
“During power cuts, the first thing I used to do was stop reading and then eat the chocolates and ice creams stored in the fridge. I also used to play the game ‘chuppan–chuppai’,” he recounted.
Shraddha Kapoor, who describes Shahid as her good friend, is excited to be a part of Batti Gul Meter Chalu.
Shraddha said, “Before this film, Shahid and I worked together in Haider and so we have that comfort zone while working together. But it’s not only about comfort zone; it’s also that we are a part of an exciting project. I am really excited that we are back together for this project.”
Shraddha is also familiar with electricity problems.
“While growing up, I have faced power problems too. Now that I am financially independent, I contribute to paying electricity bills,which has made me realise the real value of electricity. I also try to save electricity whenever possible. Whenever I forget to switch off the lights, my father reminds me to do so,” she said
Asked what other issues need to be addressed through films, she replied, “There are many like equality, women’s safety and others.”
“There are many friends of mine who have faced gender inequality issues; for example, they are not allowed to go out at night as it not safe for them while for boys there are no such rules and regulations. I call myself a humanist and I support equality, it’s not that men are superior to women or vice versa, I believe both are equal,” she added.
The actress also pointed out that Batti Gul… is her first film with a social message and hopes that the movie will be able to make a difference.
Asked which actor she feels most comfortable with, Shraddha said, “I feel fortunate because the people I am associated with are good; everyone here is so professional and passionate that work becomes fun.”
Shabiha Nur Khatoon, OP