Filmmaker

Nikkhil Advani

, known for his ability to craft compelling narratives with movies like ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho,’ ‘Batla House’, ‘D-Day,’ and ‘Patiala House,’ continues to showcase his versatility and storytelling prowess. Recently, he directed ‘

Vedaa

,’ featuring

John Abraham

, which further solidified his position in contemporary cinema.
Nikkhil Advani in an interview with PTI, shared an insightful anecdote from the filming of ‘Salaam-E-Ishq,’ where he received invaluable advice from Bollywood superstar

Salman Khan

.

This advice, which he considers a pivotal lesson in his career, emerged during a challenging moment while shooting a song for the film in 2007.
During the shooting of ‘Salaam-E-Ishq,’ Nikkhil faced difficulties with

Salman

Khan’s choreography. As the director, he had specific expectations for the dance steps, but Salman struggled to execute them as envisioned. After several takes, Salman approached Nikkhil with a suggestion that would shape the way he directed stars in the future.
Salman pointed out that the dance steps he was trying to perform were more suited to professional dancers rather than actors like himself. He advised Nikkhil, saying, “If you have to direct big actors and stars, you need to understand when they are going to be uncomfortable.” This moment of clarity was a turning point for Advani, highlighting the importance of recognizing the strengths and limitations of each actor.

Nikkhil reflected on this experience, acknowledging that choreographers often design routines that are unrealistic for many actors. He realized that not every actor can perform intricate dance moves like those executed by dancers such as

Vicky Kaushal

or Hrithik Roshan. This understanding became Advani’s “first big lesson” in the industry, emphasizing the need for directors to tailor their expectations and approaches based on the unique abilities of the actors they work with.

This lesson has since influenced Nikkhil’s directing style, particularly in his recent projects. When working with John Abraham in ‘Vedaa,’ which was released on August 15, 2024, Nikkhil adopted a more collaborative approach. He now consults with John about the execution of dance performances, ensuring that they align with the actor’s comfort and capabilities.
‘Vedaa,’ which also stars

Sharvari Wagh

,

Tamannaah Bhatia

, and Abhishek Banerjee, faced competition at the box office from ‘Khel Khel Mein’ and ‘Stree 2,’ but it has been well-received for its engaging story and performances.