Abbas-Mustan turn producer, sign three directors

Mumbai, Feb 8 (IANS) After their much talked-about thriller 'Race' and the incomplete film 'Mr. Fraud', the directorial duo Abbas-Mustan is taking a sabbatical from direction. 'We're going full throttle with producing films,' says Abbas.

'We've signed three directors: writer Rumi Jaffrey, Rohit Jugraj, who has just made a film called 'Superstar' and came to us with a brilliant script, and Nishikant Kamath, who made the brilliant 'Dombivli Fast' in Marathi,' Abbas told IANS.

'Dombivli Fast' has been made in Tamil by the same director with R. Madhavan in the lead.

'Yes, it has been,' says Abbas. 'But we're committed to the Hindi version because we really like the subject.'

The Hindi version of 'Dombivli Fast' will star an unknown face.

'The film requires a common man and a character whom the audience can easily identify with. A star just won't do,' Abbas signs off.

Abbas-Mustan are very excited about getting a chance to work with Saif Ali Khan, Anil Kapoor and Sameera Reddy for the first time in their forthcoming big release is 'Race'.

Says Abbas: 'They are so professional. 'Race' belongs to a genre we are identified with - the suspense thriller. But it is very different in subject and treatment. We'd welcome a hit because our last film 'Naqaab' didn't do well. We feel 'Naqaab' was ahead of its times.'

After 'Race' they plan to wrap up their 'Mr. Fraud'.

'We're scripting two films at the moment, but for now after the release of 'Race', we've just one film, the comedy 'Mr. Fraud', to complete. That was delayed because of various reasons, including Sanjay Dutt's dates.

'We're going to complete the film this year as soon as we get Sanjay and Ajay Devgan's dates. Bipasha Basu, who plays the lead, will of course accommodate us. She has been our leading lady in 'Ajnabee'. And now she's part of 'Race'.'