Ninad Kamat on 'Candy and the Pizza Ggirl': Dark comedy beyond 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro'
Synopsis
Ninad Kamat has positioned his latest film 'Candy and the Pizza Ggirl' as a contemporary riff on dark comedy, acknowledging the 1983 benchmark 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro' while insisting his own work carves new ground. Director Akhil Kapur, Kamat argues, has attempted to expand the genre's tonal vocabulary — a claim audiences will now judge on Prime Video.
Key Takeaways
Ninad Kamat compared 'Candy and the Pizza Ggirl' to the 1983 classic 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro' in an exclusive interview.
Kamat praised 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro' for its tonal mastery and the performances of Satish Shah and ensemble cast. 'Candy and the Pizza Ggirl' aims to evolve dark comedy with a "different taste and new perspective," according to Kamat.
Director Akhil Kapur led the creative vision, with Kamat crediting him for pursuing original ground rather than imitation.
The film, backed by Full Moon Studioz , premiered on Prime Video on 10 April 2024 .
Veteran actor Ninad Kamat has drawn a deliberate parallel between his latest film 'Candy and the Pizza Ggirl' and the 1983 cult classic 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro', positioning his project as a contemporary evolution of dark comedy in Indian cinema. In an exclusive conversation, Kamat acknowledged the towering legacy of the earlier film while arguing that his own work attempts to expand the genre's vocabulary.
On the influence of 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro'
Kamat described 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro' as one of his absolute favourite films, praising its tonal mastery. "The movie conveys so many things — you are showing a dead body, but you are also laughing at the same time," he told IANS. He singled out the late Satish Shah and the ensemble cast for their craft, alongside the direction and editing that made the film work.
How 'Candy and the Pizza Ggirl' differs
Kamat insisted that while 'Candy and the Pizza Ggirl' treads similar thematic ground, it pursues a distinctly different sensibility. "On the risk of sounding arrogant, our movie takes forward the same genre, with a different taste, and with a new perspective of seeing dark comedy," he said. He credited director Akhil Kapur for the film's approach, noting that Kapur "followed his heart" rather than simply replicating past success.
The challenge of dark comedy in Hindi cinema
When pressed on the difficulty of executing dark comedy in Bollywood, Kamat acknowledged that 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro' remains a nearly unreplicable benchmark. However, he argued that 'Candy and the Pizza Ggirl' represents a deliberate attempt to introduce fresh tonal ground. "How the audience responds to it is up to them, but Akhil has tried to bring something new to dark comedy," he concluded.
Production and release details
The film, produced by Full Moon Studioz, premiered on Prime Video on 10 April 2024. It marks an attempt by independent producers to stake claim in a genre historically dominated by larger studios.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does 'Candy and the Pizza Ggirl' relate to 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro'?
Ninad Kamat has positioned 'Candy and the Pizza Ggirl' as a contemporary evolution of the dark comedy genre established by 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro'. While the films follow similar thematic territory, Kamat argues his project pursues a distinctly different sensibility and tonal approach under director Akhil Kapur.
What did Ninad Kamat say about 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro'?
Kamat called 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro' one of his absolute favourite films, praising its ability to blend dark humour with serious subject matter. He singled out the late Satish Shah and the ensemble cast, alongside the direction and editing, for their phenomenal work.
Who directed 'Candy and the Pizza Ggirl'?
The film was directed by Akhil Kapur, who, according to Kamat, 'followed his heart' while making the movie and attempted to bring a fresh perspective to dark comedy.
When and where did 'Candy and the Pizza Ggirl' release?
The film, produced by Full Moon Studioz, premiered on Prime Video on 10 April 2024.
