Rushes

November 22, 2013 09:20 pm | Updated November 23, 2013 04:46 pm IST

Kolkata: Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan waves towards fans during shooting for a film at Jagannath Ghat flower market in Kolkata on Tuesday. PTI Photo(PTI2_12_2013_000194B)

Kolkata: Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan waves towards fans during shooting for a film at Jagannath Ghat flower market in Kolkata on Tuesday. PTI Photo(PTI2_12_2013_000194B)

Fond memories

Imran Khan says he identifies with his grandfather Nasir Hussain’s films. “I like to watch films which make you laugh and cry, films that emotionally satisfy you in three hours. When I was a kid he used to narrate such stories to me.” Will he like to revive his banner? “There is nothing on the cards but it is indeed in my heart,” says Imran, whose Gori Tere Pyar Mein released this week.

Such romantic comedies seem to be spoofing the kind of cinema Hussain used to make seriously. “Perhaps. But if you make a film like the ones he used to make the media might dub them outdated or old fashioned. So we are caught. It is difficult but we should try to strike a balance. Arranged marriage is still a reality, there are still fights over land and division of property but if you make a film on such subjects it is called old fashioned. Somehow cinema is expected to be a little ahead of what is happening.” He cites an example. “While coming out of airport I saw a man in white pants and white shirt with a white hat on top. He looked perfectly normal but if you put such a character in a film chances are he will be a called a caricature. People will say aajkal aisa thode hi hota hai,” Imran remarks.

On the way

Films capture journeys but in Imtiaz Ali’s films often journeys make the film. We had seen it in Jab We Met and now he is doing something similar in Highway. Starring Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda, the film traverses six States of India and captures the landscape of the different regions as it goes along.

To go with the theme and style of the film, Imtiaz is launching short videos called Highway Diaries, which will provide a glimpse into the myriad experiences that the cast and crew went through during the shoot. One or two minute long these 18 to 20 episodes will be uploaded over the next couple of months on the Internet.

While the look of these videos has been kept close to that of the film, Imtiaz says they are not to be mistaken as the first look of Highway, the movie. “I have never seen a film being as influenced by the incidents of its making as Highway. These adventures of the North Indian road journey have many stories to tell,” says Imtiaz.

Comic connection

Comics have become a new tool to market films. There was a time when Ajay Devgn tied up with “Lot Pot” for Toonpur Ka Superhero. It made sense as the film was meant for kids. Then Saif Ali Khan, a self-confessed fan of comics, ideated to turn Agent Vinod into a graphic novel. The idea was appreciated but failed to push the film. Recently, Boss found its way in Chacha Chaudhary comics. The connection seemed far fetched and was forgotten in a hurry. Now Saif is again giving it try with Bullett Raja being turned into a comic character. The makers first tried it on the Internet as The Legend of Bullett Raja and after a positive response are turning it into print version.

What a change!

For a long time Dimple Kapadia is content playing supporting roles in some big banner films. This December she is returning to the centre stage with a situational comedy What The Fish. Once a glamorous diva, here Dimple will be seen in a cotton sari and peculiar glasses as she is playing a grumpy woman who has to leave her house and her beloved fish in the hands of her niece’s fiancé who she detests. What follows is a series of hilarious incidents as the house is passed one after the other to some colourful characters.

In sync with her character, Dimple says she did the movie not just for the role but also for money. “I hope the audience accept and like me doing comedy for a change.” Director Gurmmeet Singh says, “The film has so much chaos that it made complete sense to call it What The Fish. When I wrote the script I never thought that I would cast Dimpleji as the main lead. But when the script was over, she fit in perfectly well. She was the only kid on the sets of the movie!”

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