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26 Friday Friday, August 3, 2018 Lifestyle | Movies Film review The journey of Fanney Khan By Abigail Mathias part, its brilliant. The role of Prashantwas written “Aishwarya Rai Bachchan also believed in the keeping legendary actor Anil Kapoor in mind.” character,” says Atul. We joke about how he’s on e was one of the silliest guys in college, The script is written by Hussain Dalal. a first name basis with all the former Miss World. walking around with a red bandana singing “This is a small film,” insists the first-time di- “When I first narrated the story, I was very nerv- HKishore Kumar songs. At least that’s how I rector. “It looks big now. We didn’t have a lot of ous about her accepting the part. As we discussed remember my friend, Atul Manjrekar. Cut to 20 money when we began. As one of the producers, the script, she loved it. I wanted to highlight the years later. And now Atul is the director of a major Anil Kapoor became a big support system for the whole-body shaming aspect and she really liked Bollywood film, a musical drama, called ‘Fanney film.” The other producer, Bhushan Kumar has that. She saw an opportunity to speak about it Khan’. The film stars leading actors Anil Kapoor, also supported the film tremendously. through the film,” he says. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Rajkumar Rao. Thankfully Atul is still the pun cracker I remember, Atul’s wife, Smitha Baliga is the co-producer except he is clearly in another league. of the film. We laugh that this film is like a home Atul’s first feature film will release in a few production. “I’ve been extremely lucky. Every- days and I can’t help but beam with pride. The film thing has worked out. From the actors to the tech- has already crossed many millions in trailer views nicians, to costume stylists - the entire team has on YouTube. Fanney Khan is played by the ever- been amazing.” Besides the director, another ac- youthful Anil Kapoor, who’s struggling to fulfill the tress will be making a debut in the film. 20-year- dreams of his daughter, Lata who wishes to be a old Pihu Sand is playing one of the lead roles singer. The film releases in India on August 3. along with actress Divya Dutta. It’s taken me three days to get 10 minutes to talk to the busy director. “Aren’t you excited that Dream team your first big film is releasing soon?” I ask, when There are six main characters that make up the we finally connect. He gushes, “Well the whole ex- ensemble. “Actor Rajkumar Rao was always my citement hasn’t come through yet. I’m still busy first choice. When we were planning to schedule editing the final parts of the film.” the film, he was busy. We looked for other actors. Fanney Khan is based on the Belgian film, Fortunately, as time went on, we said let’s check ‘Everybody’s Famous’ made in 2009 by Do- with him and he said he was free,” explains Atul. minique Deruddere. Director Rakeysh Om- Finally, the film’s dream team came together. prakash Mehra who has directed films such as As with most Hindi films, music plays a pivotal Rang De Basanti and Bhaag Milka Bhaag, role. “Amit Trivedi worked on the sound while Ir- bought the rights to the film. Atul has been col- shad Kamil worked on the lyrics which took laborating and working with the award-winning nearly a year. It was important to make it blend senior director for over 20 years. “One day, with the film.” There was one song which had to Rakeysh Mehra asked if I would be interested in stand out. “We wanted a song that would be a making this film. I was a little nervous at the top-10 hit. Something that will work in clubs. Our start.” Atul had only worked on advertising films production company, T-Series got this song made till now. He is the director of Anonymous Films with another artist. Each of the six songs form a Private Limited. vital part of the narrative,” explains the director. I ask what he hopes people will get from the Universal story film? “Umm, I think the film will help children un- “It’s pointless just to make a film just for the derstand their parents better. There is a lot of heck of it so I first watched the original film. I be- conflict in every parent-child relationship. I’ve lieve the story is very universal and that’s the rea- tried to understand my own parents better. Most son I took it up. We decided that we should make often one carries a grudge with one parent. our own film, keeping the soul of the original in- Though they want the best for you. I hope people tact. Actually, it was all in Mehra Sir and his wife’s get that. There are other layers about auditioning hands. They are the ones who provided this op- for shows and things like that which we have portunity.” highlighted.” My mind flips back to college days over two Atul tells me that the Belgian director is ex- decades ago. Watching the latest films at Bom- pected to attend the premiere. There is so much bay’s Metro, Sterling and Liberty cinemas, won- expectation and excitement as we countdown to dering if some shots could have been directed the film’s release. ‘I’m so happy for you Atul,’ I differently. Back then I too was studying film and can’t help but blurt out. “Yes, I am so happy for we would discuss and dissect films over tea till the me, too,” he laughs in an all too familiar way. wee hours of the morning. When it comes to ‘Pagal,’ is what I end our call with. Despite the casting, every director has a wish-list. “When you years it is good to know that some things are are writing, you subconsciously keep one person constant. - Abigail Mathias is a freelance writer in mind. If you get that same character to play the in the UAE.

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