COURT MARTIAL - Danny Denzongpa

I liked the script of 'Phir Wahi Raat'. I didn't want to spoil it by creating an outstanding role for myself. It would've shaken the balance and after all, it is the totality of the film that is important. As a director, I was more conscious of the film as a whole. And while I didn't neglect my role, I didn't concentrate much on it. Actually, I didn't want to do the role. I only wanted to direct. Hari bhai (Sanjeev Kumar) was supposed to do it. If he'd done it, we would've changed the conception and the character to suit his image and his capabilities! But at that time Hari bhai was doing a film called 'Shaan' and there was a problem of dates. That's why I did the role.

I don't think so. I still get my quota of films a year, and I get a quality of roles. In any case, I'm not interested in grabbing all the roles. I like to do a single shift, go to the health club in the evenings, jog... When you do double shifts, you have no time for yourself. By the time you pack up, come home, have a bath, take a drink—it's, already 11 p.m. And the next morning you again have to  wake up at seven o'clock. You're like a machine. You don't need more than three-four films a year to make enough to live comfortably. After that, you look for something that satisfies you, roles that you enjoy doing. I still think that Amjad and I are very different kind of actors. Even if a role which he rejected came to me or vice versa, it would have to be changed before the other could accept it.

Not at all. Amjad and I are doing four films together. I turned down Dev Anand's 'Loot Maar' not because I was scared to work with Arnjad, but because I couldn't digest the basic idea of Dev hitting Amjad or me! I'd felt the same thing even in 'Des Pardes'. I thirnk the film would've been a big hit if Dev hadn't made Amjad come out the villain in the end. His was such a loveable character. And to see Dev saab hitting him... It goes against his image. Dev saab is a romantic star. He can't be a fighter. The audience won't accept it.

A good performance is a good performance, no matter how many years pass by. Isn't Amjad still spoken about in 'Sholay'? Though I think he was much better in 'Des Pardes'. No doubt, ' Dhund' made a strong impression, but it's mainly the press that keeps harping on it all the time. The others also talk about 'Devata' and in my fan mail they even mention 'Charon Ki Baraat' ! I have very good roles in 'Abdullah', 'Bulandi', 'Mera Dost, Mera Dushman'. Maybe these will make the press also forget 'Dhund' ! I don't think my status has deteriorated, I would say it has become established. As regards price, I get much more now. I get more mature roles these days. The flocking of producers etc., happens when a newcomer makes it. Then, the news is hot. But today, everybody knows there's a good actor, they accept my talent -and they fear to approach me unless they have the right script, properly written, which they are sure I will accept.

I have worked with Mr. Sippy in five-six films, and I knew that he was the right kind of producer for me. I knew I would get all the facilities, and there would be no compromises on the subject. Mr. Sippy is a real good producer who understands his responsibility. He's interested in making a good—film  not just the money, which in any case, comes automatically if the film is good. Initially, Mr. Sippy was present every day during the shooting. Half-way through the film, he started coming sometimes. And towards the end, he stopped altogether! When I was shooting the climax, he was never there. He gave me a free hand completely. In fact, when I was acting in front of the camera, I wanted him to say 'start' and 'cut'—but he said 'no' . He insisted that my associate director should do it! However, I think that if a producer wants to come to his own sets and watch his own shooting—it's wrong to call him bossy.

Jeetendra didn't refuse 'Phir Wahi Raat' . In fact, he liked the script and was also pleased because at that stage, Sanjeev was also supposed to be in it. He said that most of his and Sanjeev's starrers had been hits. But we wanted to start the film early. Kim's father had given her an ultimatum that if she didn't start a film by November, she'd have to pack-up and leave. But Jeetu couldn't accommodate us till next March! So we weint to Rajesh Khanna. Actually, I'd wanted Kaka for the role. I felt Jeetu would look too young and that his image didn't suit the role. But Mr. Sippy wanted Jeetu because he was doing very well commercially, and Kaka was quite low. Anyway, after Jeetu fell through, I again insisted on my choice. We took a vote at the office and the role went to Kaka. He immediately adjusted the dates and we were able to start the film in November.

I fell out with Shashi Kapoor? Don't say this to him, please. Shashi is the most respected! man in the industry—at least I consider him so. He's an extremely fair person—perhaps that's because he's a Pisces like me! He didn't walk out of 'Phir Wahi Raat'. He was so fair that when we met him he showed us his position of dates. He was so occupied with so many films. He said that his relationship with Mr. Sippy was so good that he didn't want anything to spoil it, should something happen to delay the film during the shooting. I am the one who backed out. I thought it might hamper my work. Like, if I wanted Shashi to shoot for five hours and he could give me only two—I wouldn't be able to manage. However, there has been no rift between me and the Kapoors. This is the family I'm friendliest with in the industry. Dabbo was very angry when I didn't go for two of his parties recently. He said he would not invite me again. But I just couldn't make it because I was doing double-shifts and I didn't have the time. And frankly, I don't like the idea of coming home at 11 o'clock and then going to a party to get boozed up! But I have been there at other parties, at Rishi's wedding, etc. I get along very well with Daboo, Chintu—even with Raj Kapoor. Raj Kapoor is like a baby—from inside he is a child who wants the moon! Once, we were to shoot a scene for 'Abdullah' in which I had to abuse him. When he came on the sets, I went up to touch his feet. He moved away. I was so annoyed, I told myself I'd never do it again. I was really boiling up inside and when we shot the scene, I really hated him. And after it was over, Raj Kapoor hugged me and said that I'd done very well. All credit for that scene should go to Raj Kapoor. That's the kind of a person he is.

You can ask Zeenat—I haven't seen her once or even spoken to her on phone after their break-up. That's their personal problem. I don't believe in interfering—especially since they were married. Sanjay and his wife Zarine have always been, and still are very nice to me. We liked each other, we did things together, like horse-riding etc. But earlier we were working together—I did two films with Sanjay, 'Dharmatrna' with Feroz Khan—so we met more often and we discus~ed the projects we were involved m. I went to their parties and on other occasions. Sanjay lives nearby, so I'd go there. But once the films were finished, we've not been seen together. Sanjay and Feroz are busy with other projects. I am busy on my own. That's the main reason why I don't get to meet them. It's the same even with the rest of my friends (from the Institute, etc.). They also have the same impression that I have dropped them.

Would you say that Parveen Babi was a sort of a status symbol for you? Didn't she do more for your star personality than any of your films did?

When I met Parveen, she was a newcomer and she didn't have a house to live. She was a P.G. For me, 'Dhund' had been released and I had already become a mini star. (I've always been a mini star, anyway!) When producers were flocking after me, Miss Babi was a nobody. It was only after she made it that people started saying that Danny is sticking to her because she's a big star! Still it's only the .1 or .5 percent of the people who read magazines. I'm more bothered about my audience than what comes out in print. Besides when I did 'Dhund', I had no girl!

There are rumours that Parveen is trying to revive vibes with you so that she can make use of your 'director' status and return to the industry. Would you allow yourself to be the Babi's bakra a second time?

Thanks for informing me that Parveen wants to get me back. She does come to my house. Unfortunately I have a video and she doesn't—so she comes to see films. She is friendly with Kim, she is friendly with me also—what's wrong with that? Perhaps, we see more of each other because we live in the same building. But that doesn't mean we are reviving history again! It takes me a long time to decide something. But once I decide, there's no question of going back. Of course, I still have a soft corner for Parveen. I have a soft corner for all those who've been associated with me. I was with Parveen for four years, she lived with me as my wife. Just because we've broken up now doesn't mean we've become enemies. I was hurt and bitter initially, but once I got over t hat, we became friends again. Kabir used to come here with Parveen after we broke up. When she was sick, I felt like going to see her and I did. As regards her career, I don't think she wants to get back. I think she's come only to complete her films. Besides I know Parveen very well-having been with her for four years. She's not that kind of character who becomes friendly just because she wants something out of you.

Is there something brewing between Rishi Kapoor and your girlfriend Kim...? Are you 'professional' enough about these things as all actresses' husbands/boyfriends are expected to be? How did you react to the Kim-Manmohan Desai affair'?

In that case, Rishi and Manmohan Desai must be having fights over her! And why just these two, Kim has also been linked with N. N. Sippy, Rajesh Khanna and Ashish Roy. But seriously speaking, whenever a struggling newcomer gets signed up, she is automatically linked. In fact, it's a good sign when people start talking against her. It means she's coming up and is important enough. Kim is not my wife, but I don't think I'd be 'professional' enough to take such things if they really happened. But in a relationship, you have to know and understand each other, have faith in each other. The mud-slinging goes on, the linking goes on. It happens. to me and it'll happen more now because I have become a director. But I know my girlfriend. I know what to believe and what not to believe about her. Incidentally, I have seen some songs of 'Naseeb'-and Rishi and Kim do make a good pair!

This article was published in 'Stardust' magazine's September 1980 edition.
The images are from the orginal article.