Aziz Mirza talks to AVEEK BHOWMIK about his return to filmmaking after a sabbatical, bonding with Shah Rukh Khan and Kismat Konnection
Aziz Mirza's latest film Kismat Konnection, starring Shahid Kapoor and Vidya Balan, is special for the filmmaker more than one reason. First of all, it marks Aziz's return to filmmaking after five years. His last film Chalte Chalte, had released in 2003. After that, the death of his wife had kept him away from the arclights till he decided to direct Kismat Konnection.
And secondly, Aziz's son Haroon, has co-directed the film and his daughter Rahila has conceptualised the project. Aziz says, "I couldn't sit back at home anymore. My children began saying 'get up daddy and start working'. Then this script happened. And even before I realised, the film is ready."
Kismat Konnection is also the first film made by Aziz that does not have Shah Rukh Khan associated with it. "It didn't require Shah Rukh. It's about a young boy. Juhi (Chawla) had said 'this is a Shah Rukh role 15 years ago'. But now 15 years have passed," he says.
Though Shah Rukh is not a part of this film, Aziz still has a tremendous bonding with him. They both, along with Juhi, had set up Dreamz Unlimited, their production house. So how come Kismat Konnection was not part of the Dreamz stable? "Dreamz comprised Shah Rukh, Juhi and myself. But here there was no Shah Rukh or Juhi. Inshaallah, the moment I make a film with Shah Rukh, it will be under the Dreamz banner, or now maybe even Red Chillies," says Aziz.
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