In a highly anticipated cinematic venture, filmmaker Raaj Shaandilyaa presents “Vicky Aur Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video,” starring Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri. This comedy, which delves deeply into middle-class sensibilities blended with small-town charm, shot to completion in January and is slated for an October release. A closer look reveals a story seven years in the making, inspired by the twists and turns of modern-day viral videos.
The groundwork for this film was laid back when Shaandilyaa penned a script concerning a couple’s private video accidentally going viral. Speaking about his creative journey, Shaandilyaa narrated, “While I was working on Dream Girl in 2019, I began mulling over ideas for my next project. Rajkummar was extremely busy then, so I decided to finish Dream Girl 2 before moving forward. Meanwhile, I consistently updated the script, and eventually, we were ready to start production.”
What adds a unique flavour to this narrative is the duality it presents – blending humour with inherent tragedy. According to Shaandilyaa, “The concept of people’s private lives becoming public domain holds both comedic and tragic potential. In a country like ours, where modesty is prevalent but children are born every second, any video can instantly become the talk of the town. We aimed to craft a film that caters to the middle class with a meaningful message wrapped in humour and romance. Moreover, I was keen to portray the struggles faced by those who become the butt of jokes. Simultaneously, we wanted to evoke the sentiments of individuals from small towns dealing with such dilemmas.”
For the female lead, Shaandilyaa sought a fresh face to star opposite Rao. “Initially, we considered Nushrratt Bharuccha, Janhvi Kapoor, and Bhumi Pednekar, but Raj had already worked with them. Shraddha Kapoor was also an option, but Raj was filming Stree 2 with her. We then turned our attention to Triptii. Having seen her previous work, I recognized her talent and knew she would be a great fit.
.”
With Triptii Dimri locked in for the role, Shaandilyaa also crafted another character with Mallika Sherawat in mind. He added, “Mallika was pleasantly surprised by the offer. She appreciated the narrative and expressed her eagerness to take on such a strong and entertaining character.”
Navigating the comedy genre poses its own set of challenges, not least the tightrope walk between making people laugh and not causing offense. Shaandilyaa emphasized, “Creating comedy is arduous because while aiming to make people laugh, one must be cautious not to upset them. There’s a thin line between joking and mockery. When scripting, I am always mindful of creating content that the majority can enjoy without feeling hurt. Yet, I am acutely aware that it’s impossible to gratify everyone in this line of work.”
Comedy, while a difficult genre, also offers a unique opportunity to deliver significant societal messages under the guise of light-hearted entertainment. “The immense pressure to elicit genuine laughter while ensuring nobody feels mocked is enormous,” observed Shaandilyaa. “My focus has always been to script content that brings joy to the masses yet remains sensitive to varying perspectives. Despite this, there will always be some who are not entirely pleased.”
The journey from conceptualization to execution of “Vicky Aur Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video” mirrors the complexities and nuances of transforming an idea into a cinematic reality. With an engaging storyline that captures the essence of middle-class life interspersed with small-town realities, Shaandilyaa promises a film that will resonate on multiple levels. His ability to infuse comedy with poignant narratives aims to offer audiences both laughter and introspection.
As the release date approaches, the anticipation for “Vicky Aur Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video” continues to build. Shaandilyaa’s endeavor to weave heartfelt stories with humour, all while reflecting society’s real dilemmas, sets a high bar for this comedy narrative. Cinema lovers and critics alike are waiting to see how this middle-class tale, which promises more than just laughs, will unfold on the big screen this October.
