Cinema Cinema - November 17 th'06

When a choreographer takes up direction, you expect his film to be laden with songs and dance. But surprisingly, choreographer-turned-director Ganesh Acharya's Swami does not have a single song in the film. Ask him why and Acharya replies, "The script and the story were such that I did not find the need to have songs in my film."

This year's biggest hits like Rang De Basanti, Phir Hera Pheri, Golmaal and Lage Raho Munnabhai have been choreographed by Acharya. He says, "I have made it a point to see that my debut venture Swami has a noteworthy background score. I cannot describe it in words, but the music is very captivating." Acharya says that there have been times when the music turns to be synonymous with a film or serial. "Malgudi Days was synonymous with the title score Tananana…. So is the case with the background score of Swami," he says.\

Talking about the story of the film, Acharya reveals, "Manoj Bajpai plays the title role of Swami. The reason why he is named Swami is because he is very honest and pure-hearted, just like a small child. Juhi plays his wife in the film. It shows how the couple with teenage children deal with life after many years of marriage. My film has a mature theme."
But with films today targeting the youth, will a film on such a subject work? Ganesh replies,

"My film is aimed at the youth, although it speaks about an elderly couple. There are at least 15 teenagers in my film and they are a crucial part of it." Ganesh says that there was not much difference workwise turning from a choreographer to director. "As a choreographer, I used to direct songs, and as a director, I direct scenes," he concludes with a smile.

Khosla Ka Ghosla enthralled the international audience at the Cannes Film Festival. The film is now all set to make its presence felt at the Kara Film Festival this December. Ronnie Screwvala of UTV said, "Khosla Ka Ghosla had a story that the audience could immediately connect with. It appealed to them and I hope it creates the same magic at the festival."

Dibakar Banerjee's debut film Khosla Ka Ghosla is a sweet black comedy about a typical Indian middle class family. It depicts the trial and tribulations of a retired man, played by Anupam Kher, who aspires to invest his life's saving in real estate and the shrewd real estate agent, played by Boman Irani, gives Kher a run for his money. Director Dibakar Banerjee had shot the film in just 45 days in Delhi.

Romit Raj, who made his debut in Kushan Nandy's Hum Dum, is excited about his next venture Yatra with Nana Patekar which is being directed by Gautam Ghosh. "I am excited because I play the role of Nana Patekar's son in the film," says Romit. "Though my debut venture did not do too well, I am sure the audience is going to realise my capabilities as an actor with this film," he adds. The film also stars Rekha, Deepti Naval and Ghosh's daughter Una.

Speaking about his experience working with Nana Patekar, Romit explains, "I was nervous and sceptical when I took up the role. Everyone had told me so much about his eccentricities on the sets. But Nana took me totally by surprise. When I told him that I would be playing his son in the film, Nana immediately got up hugged me and said 'We are going to do great work together,' and he took good care of me. This put me at ease on the first day itself. I had no tensions thereafter. One thing that I noticed about Nana was that he never differentiated between a newcomer and a star."

Romit reveals that Yatra is the story of a novelist, played by Nana. It is the story of his fictional and non-fictional journey in life. "I always wanted to be a part of the film since I wanted to work with Nana. My role was not actually written. It was added later. The entire casting had also been done. Although I don't have a major role, I want to grab every opportunity to show my talent since I am just in the initial stages of my career," Romit says.

Romit says that he had to get a tan and also grow a stubble for the role. Incidentally, he is also doing television serials like Shakalaka Boom Boom and Ramanand Sagar's next serial. "Television at the moment has good scope. Besides, I was not happy with the offers that I got after Hum Dum. I thought that I could try my hand at television in the meantime," quips the young lad. Romit has also been signed by Bipin Vohra, of 15 Park Avenue fame, for his next untitled venture.

Rhythm Dhol Bass, a popular UK band, will be singing a number under the baton of Himesh Reshammiya for Vipul Shah's Namastey London. RDB, known for their Bhangra music, is a group of three brothers from Bradford. This is the first time that they would be singing for a Hindi film. Performing in virtually every UK city, they have also toured in countries such as the US, Singapore, Dubai, Europe and even Australia.

Says Shah, "I needed RDB for one song because Namastey London is about cultural amalgamation between the Indians and the NRIs in the UK. British Asian music is a perfect example of this fusion. It's hip, contemporary and has great rhythm." For the first time, Shah will bring together the unique combination of lyricist Javed Akhtar and Himesh Reshammiya to compose music for the film. Scheduled to release in February 2007, the film stars Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Upen Patel and Rishi Kapoor in important roles.