Even though Ranbir Kapoor plays a deaf and dumb guy in Barfi and Priyanka Chopra plays an autistic girl, Ranbir Kapoor said that the movie shouldn’t be associated with disabilities alone.
“I would say that one should not associate this film with disability...this film is not about disability. It is a coincidence that these two characters are deaf, mute and one is autistic. But one will not feel that it is a disability film. It’s about enjoying life, giving happiness, feeling love. It’s a love story,” he said to PTI in an interview.
The movie also stars Tollywood actress Illena and Ranbir said that the plot with her with her was an eternal love story.
“If you see Ileana's character you will see eternal romance, if you see the love story between Priyanka and my character...it’s heartwarming. You will not feel that the film is about disability film or mentally challenged kind of...it’s not that,” he said.
Even though Ranbir plays a deaf and dumb boy Murphy he a prankster and always has some prank up his sleeve. He also plays a quite charmer. Priyanka Chopra on the other hand plays an autistic Jhilmil.
“When we meet differently-abled people, or people who are special, we have a view point that they have a dark, sorrowful life we feel bad for them, it is not a film about that. There are people who smile, laugh, fall in love, enjoy... it’s that side of their life. So it is not about disability,” said Priyanka Chopra.
“I don't think after a point of time you will remember that these two characters have disabilities. The world created between these three characters (Ranbir, Priyanka and Illena) is just something we haven't seen before. Ranbir's character is adorable and sweet in the film,” she added.
When asked about his character in the movie Ranbir said, “he film is set in 70s...it’s a romantic-comedy. The name of the character is Barfi, he is deaf and mute. He is happy go lucky person. He has a big heart and his only purpose in life is to make people happy. Even in his sorrows, you will see a sense of comedy and happiness. His motive is to make people happy.”
Coming to Priyanka Chopra’s character he said, “We are normal characters...Priyanka is an autistic girl but she is like a puppy dog...who you would fall in love with...a beautiful puppy dog...a cute puppy.”
Illena, who is excited about her Bollywood debut, said that working with likes of Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Anurag Basu was surreal.
“It’s been surreal. It’s been amazing. Amidst all the chaos and tons of hard work, it was emotional and loads of fun. Anurag is one of the best directors I have worked with. He got one of the most honest performances of me,” she said.
“I want to thank everyone associated with the film. Priyanka and Ranbir have been terrific co-stars. It’s been lovely working with them,” she concluded.
When asked about kissing Ranbir Kapoor she said, “It was not the kiss that I was nervous about...it’s the emotion behind the kiss, which was the key element in the scene that I was nervous about. The kiss came out pretty well.”
The movie directed by Anurag Basu is all set to release on September 14th.