"Madras Cafe" will turn tables for John, Nargis: Shoojit

Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar feels that his upcoming film 'Madras Cafe', based on the Sri Lankan civil war, will change people's perception about its lead actors - John Abraham and Nargis Fakhri - as he has extracted their best performance.
After being in the industry for close to ten years and being part of hit films like "Dhoom", "Dostana", "Housefull 2", "Race 2", and "Shootout at Wadala" among others, John has often been written off.
Nargis who made her debut in Bollywood with "Rockstar" was criticised for her dead pan expressions and failed to capitalise on the film's success.
But Shoojit feels that after "Madras Cafe" hits cinema houses this Friday, things are going to change.

"Every person has acting ability it depends how you use it. My film 'Vicky Donor' was purely about actor and characters. I don't leave any actor. I suck their blood and I make them act. I don't know how I do it but I manage. After this film whatever critical approach one has for John and Nargis it will change. That I can assure you in written format," Shoojit told PTI.
John was always on Shoojit's mind for this political thriller but he did not think of Nargis at least initially.

"Since beginning only John was there in the film. Nargis was never on my mind but I knew Nargis much before 'Rockstar'. I introduced her to the film industry because I did one commercial with her. Then Imtiaz picked her up. Though he received lot of criticism," the director said.

Shoojit calls this film as a re-launch for Nargis. He is confident that people will like her in the film and that she will be absolutely a new find.
With 'Vicky Donor' which was a commercial entertainer Shoojit attained box office success but he insists that he has not compromised on 'Madras Cafe'.
"I have said to the marketing people don't do anything which will take away the seriousness of the subject. We are talking about people who are suffering or have suffered. So we should not take undue advantage of the film to make a gimmick of it. The film is a thriller not a documentary," he added.