Sudhir Mishra's 'Khoya Khoya Chand', set in the 1960s, is a love story between an actor and a director
Film: 'Khoya Khoya Chand'
Director: Sudhir Mishra
Cast: Shiney Ahuja, Soha Ali Khan, Rajat Kapoor
Location: Natraj Studios
The dope: A modest set depicting Mumbai, a beauty parlour named Hollywood, an Irani caf in the background, lots of dancers dressed in traditional costumes, that's what made up director Sudhir Mishra's sets.
Soha Ali Khan dressed in a blue ghagra blouse and a pink dupatta is dancing to instructions given by choreographers Harshal-Vitthal (of 'Nach Baliye' fame) 👏👏
Incidentally, Soha underwent training in kathak for three months before she began shooting for the film. She says, "I learned kathak under Nandita Puri. It was rigorous. But it really helps in Hindi films if you know classical dance."
With the air-conditioner switched off to avoid any sound interference, Soha is panting as she rehearses. After about 15 takes, they get a perfect shot.
Surrounded by fans, eager to be photographed with her, Soha readily obliges. Sudhir comments, "Just another unwanted part of our profession!"
Soha speak: Soha, who plays Nikhat, an 18-year old aspiring actor in the film says, "Superstar Prem Kumar (Rajat Kapoor), takes me under his wings but there's a fallout between us. I then meet Zafar (Shiney Ahuja), a writer-director, and eventually fall in love with him. This song is the metaphor of the film.
I accepted this role because Sudhir is a director who respects women in his movies. They aren't just conventional heroines."
On Shiney: Shiney Ahuja is not on the sets since he's not required for the song. Soha says, "Shiney was quiet in the beginning. But now he has opened up. He just can't stop cracking jokes. It's good to have an actor like him around. He has unique looks and his performance is great."
Sudhir's take: The film is a tribute to the cinema of the '60s. This is a love story of two people caught in the world of films in that era. We have tried to recreate the whole scene as it used to be shot then.
In the '60s they used to shoot on the sets and then merge those scenes with outdoor shots during editing. This is a similar attempt.
Anupamaa
