Sudhir Mishra
After Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Sudhir Mishra is shooting his next film Khoya Khoya Chand. In an exclusive interview with HiTLIST, he talks about his new project.
Soha Ali Khan
Tell us about Khoya Khoya Chand.
The film is based in the Hindi film industry of the 1950s. It is the story of two talented people. There's an actor-director (Shiney Ahuja) who liberates an actress (Soha Ali Khan) from the stranglehold of a powerful actor (Rajat Kapoor), and then begins to use her himself. In the end, he realises the folly of his ways and atones for it.
Whose life is it based on?
It's based on my own experiences in the industry; it's based on the stories I have heard. It's the essence of what happens to people in films and other professions like it.
Why did you choose Soha?
I needed someone who could play the role of a 18-year-old girl maturing into a 30-year-old woman. The film begins in 1954 and ends in 1965. I wanted someone who could look young and innocent in the beginning, and then evolve into a star with an attitude towards the end. Soha fits the bill.
She has been preparing for the role...
Yes, she took off and prepared for three months for the role. She learnt Kathak under Nandita Puri, studied Urdu and also underwent acting workshops. She has gotten under the skin of her character now.
She's learn Kathak but she's not playing a dancer!
Actresses in the 1950s were very good classical dancers and I have to shoot two songs with her using Kathak. Today's actresses do not know Kathak. Show me one heroine from today's lot who knows Kathak. I am so glad I cast Soha. Pardon me for my immodesty, but I knew Chitrangadha (Singh) was an ocean of talent and nobody can deny her contribution in Hazaaron Khawishein Aisi.
Did you consider any other actress?
Well, I did talk to Vidya. She is in the Vidhu Vinod Chopra camp. VVC is like my brother. So when I went there once, I did speak to her. But she was too scared of the role. I think she found it very challenging and complicated.
So Soha is a better actress than Vidya?
Oh, come on. It's not a wrestling match. This is one profession where ten people can be equally great in their own way, just like you could cast Madhubala in one role and Meena Kumari in another and both could get equal marks. The same could apply to Kareena Kapoor, Konkona Sen Sharma and Rani Mukerji.
Did Shiney simply roll on from Hazaaron...?
Never. Shiney is an awesome actor. For me, acting is not stating the obvious. For me, scenes travel in two or three directions. He understands that. The most difficult job of an actor is to know when to act, i.e. when to perform and when to let the scene pass by.
The Bhatt camp finds him whimsical…
Who isn't whimsical? If an actor wants to know his role and which way the film will go, what's wrong in that? The right way to look at it is, 'this actor is interested, so let's get him involved'. You can direct Om Puri by telling him the scene just two minutes before the shot, but Shabana Azmi goes through the script with a fine-tooth comb. Different actors have different methods. We need to realise that there is new blood coming into the industry and they are independent-minded people.
Why did you change the title from Bahut Nikle Mere Armaan?
That title gave people the impression that this was a sequel to Hazaaron. Then my lyricist Swanand wrote a song for the film with the words Khoya Khoya Chand and that sealed it. That's why I changed it. This is my most romantic film to date and has some great music in it. This will be my answer to those people who say that I'm dull and dry. I promise, this film will be my best yet.
Will you work with big stars someday?
I love stars and I will go to them if I have a role that suits them. But I will not keep waiting for them to fit me into their schedules. Do you know that two big stars heard out Hazaaron... and did not like it?
Who were those two stars?
It wouldn't be right to divulge their names now.
Ranbir makes his debut online
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Too much fun in the sun!
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| Aishwarya Rai Illustration |
The extreme weather conditions resulted in him suffering from sunburn on his face. Fortunately, a quick trip to the doctor saved Tusshar from getting his skin permanently damaged.
Says Tusshar, "We have been shooting continuously for the past three weeks on the streets and beaches of Cape Town. And last week, my face got terribly burnt because of so much exposure to the sun.
Thankfully, I have recovered now. For three days I looked like a lobster and my skin was peeling! On my day off, I went to a dermatologist and had to do a facial that I have never experienced before. After that, I've been advised to apply sunscreen and moisturisers day and night for my skin to recover and prevent further damage."
Tusshar says that while he has been tanned before, especially while shooting for Golmaal in Goa, he's never been sunburned before. But the experience has left him far from fazed. In fact, he is very charmed by the beauty of Cape Town.
Yaad aaye woh din
He says, "This place reminds of my college days. In the evenings we go down to the mall for drinks and dinner. The best seafood restaurant in the world is located there. It's called The Ocean Basket and serves some of the best seafood."
Retail therapy
As for Lovely Singh's film, Tusshar says that Kya Love Story Hai is almost complete and only 15 days worth of work is left. He says, "Now, only the songs and Kareena's special item number remains to be canned."
Apart from shooting, Tusshar has been indulging in some retail therapy. "I had a couple of days off, so I went for shopping. I bought some gloves for the gym, a Diesel T-shirt, perfumes for my mom and even got myself a haircut. I watched Don too. I've been working out a lot. Sometimes, I bump into the Cash unit at the gym (they are shooting there too). Esha (Deol) and Riteish (Deshmukh) were going partying. They dropped in to say hi when we were having dinner."
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