People remember me for my small films - Manu Rishi

Manu Rishi is that rare entity in Bollywood who can write as well as act. Surprisingly, he is equally adept at both jobs in hand. Having written dialogues for award winning movies like Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye, Aisha and many others, Manu Rishi was awarded the Filmfare for best dialogues in 2009 for Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye. Last seen in Kya Dilli Kya Lahore, a script that he wrote for mere Rs 1100, Manu is now gearing up for his next release, a socio-political satire Ekkees Toppon Ki Salaami from the stables of Nautanki Films. Talking about his role, Manu says, "I play a nalaayak son who is forced by circumstances to fight for his dead father's principles and grant him his dying wish of a 21 gun salute. It is an extremely meaningful film where comedy is blended well to satirize the corruption and other political situation prevailing in the country." What pleases Manu about the movie is that the comedy in it is not loud or vulgar. "It's a situational comedy. We don't put on monkey faces to make people laugh. I have to give credit to the writer Rahil Kazi for indulging in some rebel writing." While Ekkess Toppon Ki Salaami is devoid of the usual grandiose that comes with other mega budget movies, Manu believes 100 crore is not the benchmark of measuring the quality of a movie."All these 100 crore movies earn their revenue through branding and not through footfalls. A true 100 crore movie would be the one where audience comes in large numbers repeatedly to watch the flick. I have been told by people that it is my smaller films that stay in their hearts rather than big budget masala ones. And a small movie's survival depends largely on the success of these big movies. A cameraman who earns well in these 100 crore movies will agree to work at a lower cost in small budget projects." Manu, for the moment, has high hopes from Ekkees Toppon Ki Salaami and is both nervous and excited as the day of the release nears. The movie will release across India on 10 October.