CC#28 MT SIO~ **Dazzling December awaits Mr.Riight** - Page 48

Adeeb Rais, director of Main Aur Mr. Riight, says his biggest inspiration is Yash Chopra, who he wished he could have met. Adeeb is positive about his first feature film and hopes to work with Saif Ali Khan someday

He decided to be a filmmaker at 13 and by 21 he was ready with his first Bollywood movie Kuch Spice To Make It Meetha. After a hiatus of two years, one of the youngest directors in Bollywood, Adeeb Rais, is now ready with his next commercial venture Main Aur Mr. Riight starring Shenaz Treasurywala and Barun Sobti.

Adeeb, who was recently in the capital with the starcast of the movie, talks about his love for movies, travel and food.

Adeeb's career in films started with India's first e-release film Kuch Spice To Make It Meetha starring Purab Kohli and Nauheed Cyrusi, and seeing the positive response after the release of the movie, he decided to direct Main Aur Mr. Riight. Talking about his journey so far, he says, "I started from directing plays in school and college, and then went on to direct short films. I completed my formal education in Business of Film Television from Whistling Woods International. I worked on lot of low budget ad films and corporate films and then decided to direct Kuch Spice To Make It Meetha. It was a huge success online and then I got an offer to direct my first full-fledged feature film Main Aur Mr. Riight."

Speaking about the film, Adeeb says, "Main Aur Mr. Riight is a simple, sweet and fun film. I never set up to make a path-breaking film, I wanted make a film that would make people smile and I think I've achieved that with this movie. As a director, every film is challenging for me. This being my first film, I first had to win the trust of my entire team. I was directing a low budget film with minimum resources so it was a task for me to make it look like an upmarket movie."

As the crew of the film was young, Adeeb mentions that everyone understood each other well. He adds, "The tone of this film is very young and peppy. We were shooting at odd hours and it was very hectic, but the team was always buzzing with energy and enthusiasm. No one ever complained about the lack of resources and everyone was eager to help each other to get the film through."

Adeeb feels that the Internet is a huge medium for modern day filmmakers, and caters to the youth and old audiences alike. Referring to his first venture, he mentions, "I am very proud of Kuch Spice..., a lot of young filmmakers ask me how I pulled it off, and I feel so happy that a unique initiative like that got noticed. I feel there is so much that can be done using the online medium, and as filmmakers we should open our minds and try and use this more effectively."

Adeeb's biggest inspiration as a director is Yash Chopra, and he mentions that the way he used to create a surreal world in his films, will inspire him for life. He says, "Yashji's movies had the right balance. I wish I could have met him at least once in my life. Among the present day directors, I like the works of Vikramaditya Motwane, Imtiaz Ali, Abbas Mustan, Zoya Akthar and Karan Johar. As for actors, we have a talented crop of them and someday I would want to work with Saif Ali Khan. He has been an inspiration in my growing up years and I don't think there's anyone as edgy as him in our industry." As for his future plans, Adeeb hints someday he may try his hand at acting too, but for now he is hopeful about his movie's box office success.

"My two biggest passions are food and travel. If not a filmmaker I would love being a travel show host or food critique. As for acting, I will take the plunge at some point but I don't think I am ready right now. Acting will not be a priority, but I will give it a try for the fun and experience of it," he concludes.