Loveyapa Director Advait Chandan On Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor

You have been closely associated with  Junaid through his father Aamir Khan whom you have directed in Secret Superstar and Lal Singh Chaddha?

I’ve known Junaid for almost 20 years now. He’s always been a very grounded person. In fact when I bought my first car after Secret Superstar, he said what a waste of money autos are so convenient.

What  was it like  directing him after  knowing  him from his childhood?

On set, he’s a complete team player. He is concerned about taking lunch break on time so that the shooting unit doesn’t get hungry, he’s constantly briefing the security team to maintain silence so I get clear dialogue recorded. He’s not just an actor, he’s a solid partner. But I wasn’t surprised.

Why?

I know him and his mom and sister and father for so long and this is how they’ve brought him up.

And Khushi Kapoor?

I was really surprised by Khushi. I didn’t know her at all, so I wondered what she’d be like. But she is the most professional person I’ve ever met. She’s ten minutes early for every meeting. She came to rehearsals and didn’t even need to look at the script.

 I believe she is really good with her lines?

 She knew every line by heart and had come with various options of delivery. When she came on board, she made a playlist of songs for me which she felt would have been Baani’s playlist. I heard those songs and instantly knew that she’s understood the part.

Doesn’t the current  generation’s discipline surprise you?

Yes! Khushi sat in on my meetings with the costume stylist and the production designer. She was really helpful in locking the colour palette for this character which really helps not just the costumes but also the visual of the whole film.

By the way, I loved your Lal Singh Chaddha?

That makes two of you: my mother and you.