EXCLUSIVE: Akash A Kaushik reveals Rahul Bose left Udta Teer crew in splits: “We had to dub a few scenes as giggles could be heard!”; hails Ayushmann Khurrana for daring to play a Pakistani: “Don’t think many actors would be GUTSY enough”
Akash A Kaushik is on cloud nine. His debut directorial, Udta Teer, has been appreciated and is performing well at the box office. In the past, he has written films like FALTU (2011), Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022), Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (2024), Housefull 4 (2019), Bhooth Bangla (2026), etc. Humour has been his forte, as evident from his past work and also Udta Teer, for which he is one of the writers. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Akash A Kaushik spoke about the response to the film and a lot more.
Did you get a chance to visit cinemas to check the audience feedback?
Yes, absolutely. I have been shuttling from one screen to another! It’s so heartening to see people enjoy the film. When you make a comic caper, you get instant reactions. When people are laughing, it indicates that they are enjoying it. In fact, people were clapping during some scenes in the cinemas. We have put in so much effort, and when you get such love, it just feels great.
Rahul Bose is the surprise package of Udta Teer. We have never seen him in such a comic avatar. Was it tough to convince him to sign the film?
The other day, Rahul sir was asking me the same question, ‘How on earth did you think of me to play this role?’! However, that was the fun part. Had we cast some other actor who’s known for his comedy, you would automatically anticipate that ‘Ab kuch funny hone waala hai’. But Rahul sir’s aura is such that when the film starts, you don’t see it coming as to what all he’ll be doing in the film. Woh character bechara uss situation mein hai. He’s not a goofy character; he’s the head of the CTS (Counter Terrorism Squad) but has now got stuck in a bizarre situation (laughs). Hence, I wanted to cast an actor who could carry the serious bit and be equally convincing when it came to comedy.
We know Rahul sir is such a versatile actor. I love how he expresses himself through his eyes; poori picture mein unki aankhon ka hi khel tha. I was sure he would hit it out of the park, and that’s exactly what he did.
How was it to shoot Rahul Bose’s elevator and morgue scenes? It must have been madness on the sets…
Yes, it was! We had to do retakes as actors or crew members would just burst out laughing. The film was shot using sync sound, but we had to dub a few scenes as the giggles of unit members could be heard! And we knew those scenes were comedy gold and would be remembered for a long time.
It was so much fun. Rahul sir would improvise as well. There’s a scene where Suhail and Sandeep Anand are making him dance. I got the shot I wanted. However, Rahul sir said, ‘Listen, let me add more things’. He then told me, ‘Send me the songs which you are going to play in the background. I want to learn their choreography. I want to dance exactly how the actors did it in the original songs’!
Was Ayushmann Khurrana your first choice?
Of course. He’s playing a Pakistani. I don’t think many actors would be gutsy enough to take on this role. He was completely hooked when I was narrating the film to him. The moment we revealed in the script that he’s playing a Pakistani, he couldn’t believe it. He was like, ‘Wait, what’s happening?’. From that point onwards, he was even more glued.
In fact, as a writer, I had narrated five films to Ayushmann. Every time, he loved the script, and every time, he said no (laughs). This time, I said, ‘Aapko phir script pasand aa rahi hai aur aap phir mana kar doge’. He assured me, ‘There’s no way I am turning down this film’.
Also Read: Ayushmann Khurrana, Sara Ali Khan visit Attari-Wagah border to promote Udta Teer
The post EXCLUSIVE: Akash A Kaushik reveals Rahul Bose left Udta Teer crew in splits: “We had to dub a few scenes as giggles could be heard!”; hails Ayushmann Khurrana for daring to play a Pakistani: “Don’t think many actors would be GUTSY enough” appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.