Tarun Mansukhani, the filmmaker who shot to fame with Dostana in 2008 returned to the big screen after 17 long years with one of the year’s biggest ensemble entertainers—Housefull 5. For a director known for vibrant storytelling and flamboyant screen energy, stepping back into theatres after such a long gap felt both emotional and exhilarating.
Mansukhani opened up about handling an enormous star cast, working with legendary actors he once only watched as a child, and why large-scale cinema excites him more than intimate films. Talking about the sheer size of his cast, Mansukhani explained that big ensembles actually fuel his creativity rather than overwhelm him. “I feel if I make a film with just two actors, I’ll get bored. Right now I’m very happy because I’ve made a film with almost twenty actors.”
Mansukhani credits producer Sajid Nadiadwala for trusting him with a massive project like Housefull 5, especially in the 75th year of the production house.He said ,"When suddenly everything comes together, it feels like someone above is making things happen for me.Right now, that someone above is Sajid Nadiadwala. In his production house’s 75th year, we’ve got such a big success. It’s been a great feeling.”
Handling so many performers may sound chaotic, but for him, it’s a playground of possibilities.Following his grand theatrical comeback with Housefull 5, he now serves as the creative producer on Dining With The Kapoors. He added with a laugh, “I’ve been part of an entire Kapoor family on screen! When you get the chance to work with such actors—people you once only watched on screen as a child—you never imagine you’ll write for them or direct them one day.The full Kapoor family coming together—that credit goes to Armaan Jain. He’s the creator, the showrunner, the producer and he also cooks!”
Despite being part of a commercial franchise, Mansukhani says he constantly pushes himself to avoid formula-driven filmmaking.“I always try to do something different.Something that adds interest to the story. I don’t want to make a standard film.” Even a comedy franchise like Housefull needed freshness, he says. “My endeavour is always—how can I entertain the audience one percent more? Whenever I search for a story, I try to find something new in every film.”