In an exclusive interview with ETimes, Tarun spoke about his experience working with Vicky Kaushal, Triptii Dimri, and Ammy Virk, the reception of his directorial debut Dhak Dhak, its sequel, and more.
After the release of the Bad Newz trailer, the term ‘heteropaternal superfecundation’ has piqued people’s interest. Did it meet your expectations?
I’m amazed at how much it has piqued people’s interest, and I’m thrilled with the response to the trailer. People are loving it, messaging us, saying it’s about time for a good comedy film. I’m very happy that the trailer has received so much love from the audience.
Were the jokes about Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal intentionally included in the film?
We wrote a basic joke, and Vicky Kaushal was very supportive. He really enjoyed the joke himself, and that’s how it ended up being performed.
Were Vicky, Ammy and Tripti the first choices for their roles, or were other actors approached?
As a writer on the project, casting decisions are typically made by the directors and producers. However, my experience working with them was excellent. All three actors are not only very talented but also humble, cooperative, and a joy to work with. They truly elevated the material with their performances, and I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to collaborate with such supremely talented individuals.
How did you secure the role of screenwriter for this film?
I’ve been collaborating with Anand Tiwari’s and Amrit Pal Bindra’s production house, Leo Media Collective, for some time now. When they approached me about this film and explained the concept, I felt it was an incredible opportunity. With Anand Tiwari directing and Leo Media collaborating with Dharma Productions led by Karan Johar, working on a story like “Heteropaternal Superfiction” was both fascinating and inspiring to me. I received the call, and the next day, I eagerly started working on the project. It felt like a blessing, and I dedicated myself fully to it.
Did you have a chance to interact with Karan Johar?
Karan sir is truly a wonderful person and one of the best producers in my opinion. Throughout the writing process, he provided constant guidance and made us feel comfortable sharing our ideas. He has a knack for refining concepts and suggesting improvements. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work under his guidance and encouragement on this project.
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Comedies are often considered difficult to execute. What is your opinion on this?
I believe comedy is incredibly challenging to write—it’s a tough process. You’re never quite sure if a joke will hit the mark or fall flat. It involves a lot of trial and error, continuously testing and refining. You bounce ideas off the creative and development teams, questioning whether a joke works, if it’s too niche, or if it simply isn’t funny. Comedy writing demands numerous drafts—I’ve personally gone through 16-17 versions of scenes to hone the humor just right. Even then, you’re still hoping it resonates with the audience. Mastering comedy remains elusive; it’s all about experimenting and learning through experience.
What should audiences expect from Bad Newz?
Audiences should expect abundant entertainment and fun from the film. They’ll have a great time and leave the cinema with a happy feeling and a smile on their faces. I hope this is the experience they have.
Your directorial debut, Dhak Dhak, didn’t succeed in theaters but gained popularity after its OTT release. Did you analyze its performance?
I believe Dhak Dhak had a very quiet theatrical release. It debuted on just 150 screens, with its trailer arriving only four days prior. Such limited screenings often mean odd showtimes. However, despite these challenges, Dhak Dhak found its audience. Upon its OTT release, it even outperformed a major film, trending at number one for 15 consecutive days. This demonstrates that a good film will eventually connect with its viewers. Had Dhak Dhak received a stronger initial release, I’m confident its box office performance would have been markedly different.
Can you tell us about Dhak Dhak 2?
Yes, there are ongoing discussions, but nothing has been confirmed yet. We’re currently exploring ideas on how to progress the story with these four characters and where their journey could lead next. We’re brainstorming and exchanging ideas, but nothing has been finalized or officially confirmed at this point.
What are your other upcoming projects?
I’ll share details as soon as something concrete happens. Right now, I’m very excited about Bad News and hope it gets a great response from the audience, which will help streamline future projects.
