Call him fortunate enough or simply 'street-smart'; this filmmaker has made his way with two of today's top notch stars in Bhootnath, which also happens to be his directorial debut. After 12-years of long struggle, Vivek Sharma turns director with this film starring the legendary Amitabh Bachchan along with Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, and Priyanshu Chatterjee. The film will hit the screens on May 9. [EMAIL PROTECTED] brings you the exclusive interview of the multi-talented Vivek Sharma.
The title Bhootnath sounds like a comic-horror. What is it all about? Bhootnath is a cute and an emotional story of love between a ghost and a child, largely targeted towards children. A package of an unusual storyline and screenplay, along with Amitabh Bachchan playing the role of the ghost, will make it a visual treat for the moviegoers. The story revolves around the family, which resides in a haunted house. The conflict and situation between the family members and their reaction to the ghost's pranks are interesting to watch. A package of an unusual storyline and screenplay along with Amitabh Bachchan playing the role of the ghost will make it a visual treat for the moviegoers. How did you come across this idea? The concept was actually initiated by a friend of mine to which I added finer details and created the script of Bhootnath. What difficulties did you face as a director, since it is your debut film? A director is recognized by the choice of subjects that he selects to work on, when it comes to filmmaking. Well, I believe one has to have a clear picture of his work and things will eventually fall in place. Moreover, my career as a creative head and associate director has helped me a lot. Moreover, I have come a long way since the time I started my career with Bhatt Sir. Fortunately, I got to learn about the varied departments in filmmaking, starting from production to audition. A director is recognized by his choice of subjects that he selects to work on, when it comes to filmmaking. Please throw some light on Shah Rukh and Juhi's role in the film Shah Rukh plays a Chief Engineer on a cruise liner; he is fun loving person and whereas Juhi is a complete surprise package. She portrays the role of a lazy mother who cannot function without a maidservant and has a son who is a major prankster. It's a cute little family who deal with the ghost, residing at their place. You are among the very few fortunate directors who got the opportunity to work with Big B and SRK. How does it feel? (Laughs) Well, surprisingly, the idea of having the two biggies in my debut film for the first time never occurred to me until a journalist pointed it in one of the interviews. Honestly, I was elated to work with the two superstars. I feel completely content and even if I die tomorrow, I will have no regrets. And by God's grace things have been moving smoothly since the first day of the shoot. The chemistry between SRK and Amitabh has been perfect. And actors like Juhi, Rajpal Yadav and Priyanshu have added stars to my film. Of course, with Ravi Chopra's hand on my head, I could not have asked for a better debut. The chemistry between SRK and Amitabh has been perfect. And actors like Juhi, Rajpal, Priyanshu have added stars to my film. For 12 years you have had a splendid relationship with Shah Rukh, are you planning to work under his banner in the near future? These12 years have been fantastic. Both Shah Rukh and Juhi have been my local guardians here in Mumbai.. I have always been a part of all his films, it is a record, but unfortunately, I could not make it for Om Shanti Om because I had already commenced with Bhootnath. Well, being a part of Shah Rukh's crew, everyone assumed that my career establishment would be a cake walk. But, trust me; I have seen my share of struggle period. I have faced rejection at the hand of producers who have discarded my scripts without a second glance. However, I did not loose faith and worked harder towards it, because I feel cinema is a creative field and it's all about convincing each other.. I have never used Shah Rukh's name as a reference. Ravi Sir signed me on my face value; he did not even know that I belonged to Shah Rukh's group.. He heard my narration and immediately gave a nod to go ahead with the subject. It was much later that he came to know about my collaboration with SRK. And about my film with Shah Rukh; I am ready with the script on a hard-hitting subject and if things work out, then we will surely work together again. It is a restrictive and raw subject; something he has never experimented with. How was the experience of working with both the Shahenshah and Baadshah of Bollywood and of course Juhi Chawla been? Oh fantastic!! Both Amitji and Shah Rukh are highly professional who know the value of the time and what a new director goes through in his first venture. Amitji's enthusiasm and dedication towards the project was amazing. He is man of conviction who never treated me like a new director. My happiness knew no bounds when I shot his first scene, on the other hand, Juhi and Shah Rukh are like family to me, I have worked with them so many times that it feels like home. Working with the legend himself in short, it was an experience worth remembering. Moreover, I'd like to add that there were no tiffs between Shah Rukh and Amitabh it was simply a media gimmick. In fact, Shah Rukh has been so amiable; he would actually gift Amitji DVD games, and at times, I have seen them play it together as well. There were no tiffs between Shah Rukh and Amitabh; it was simply a media gimmick. How have BR Films been as producers? Superb! BR Films are one of the finest production houses I have come across. They are visionaries and anticipate things fantastically, be it in making or selling the films. They are very down to earth. And as long as Raviji wants me to make films under BR banner, I will. They have made some cult-progressive films against market trends. I believe no one can dare to make a film like Baghban and Baabul. BR films have carved a niche for themselves since it's inception with films like Pati, Patni Aur Woh, Tawayaf and Nikaah, they have always conveyed a message highlighting social evils. B.R films are visionaries and anticipate things fantastically be it in making or selling the films. Since the film centers the life of a ghost, does it have any special effects? We have about 40 minute's special effects. There are a couple of scenes wherein the ghost crosses the wall and an iron gate. There's also a scene where three people are sitting together and one of them is the ghost and the other two were unknowingly talking to it. And, thus we have created little illusions of the characters. We have our own special effects company called Pix Entrix. Any special favorite shot in the entire film. The best shot is when Big B realizes that he is a ghost. An emotional scene which definitely is a high point in the film. Another is the confrontation between SRK and Priyanshu who plays Amitji's son in the film. It's a very well-written scene with some fantastic dialogues and some wonderful performances by the duo. SRK has performed the scene with a different intensity and so has Priyanshu. What do you think about the music of the film? And your favorite track? Vishal-Shekhar have given the music a very modern rhythm. Big B will be seen performing two major songs and has sung two songs titled 'Buddy Suno Zara' and the other is 'Roothna Manaa' where he is convincing the kid to patch up. Another one of the finest written songs by Javed Akhtar is an emotional one at the climax of the film picturizing all the characters. And, 'Samay Ka Pahiya' is my favorite one. Dil Ka Hal Sune Dilwala is a very modern, contemporary, and unusual concept. Tell us about your other projects starting with Vashu Bhagnani? Vashuji's son Jackie will be launched in the film, Kal Kisne Dekha. The film is already in the process of pre-production. I hope by the end of month we will have actors on the dotted line. Both Jackie and the actress who is to star opposite him have performance-oriented roles, so we are on a look-out for a really talented actress who may or may not be a newcomer. It is a very unusual romantic thriller. The film will have the blockbuster jodi, Sajid-Wajid, making the music for the film and will have its release on Oct 28. It's heard that you are planning to introduce Kamal Hassan's daughter Shruti Hassan in one of your next ventures? Kamal Hassan's daughter was recommended opposite Jackie in Kal Kisne Dekha. We had a word with her business manager. Unfortunately, due to date problems Shruti would be unable to do the film. Sajid -Wajid, who I believe are today's Laxmikant Pyarelal. What is the status of the other film with B.R Films? It's a story of discovering one's own dreams. It is an emotional journey of a rich guy who discovers his core self, his values, the system, culture, and value for money and life. However, we again are in the process of signing actors. The film, Dil Ka Hal Sune Dilwala, is a very modern, contemporary, and unusual concept. We will commence the shooting of the film after the completion of Vashuji's Kal Kisne Dekha. Here again, we are hoping to rope in Sajid-Wajid to compose the music. Very soon one will get to see the teaser of Bhootnath. You are doing another film with Ashtavinayak. Who all have been signed for that? The film titled Dil Can Fly Idhar Udhar with Ashtavinayak will hopefully have Govindaji in the lead role. It's a romantic comedy with an interesting plot where the characters are confused about love and hence find it difficult to have a stable relationship. And when that confusion backfires, they happen to realize the value of love. Again, Sajid -Wajid, who I believe are today's Laxmikant Pyarelal, will compose the music for the film. Actually, they have come up with a superb melody in Vashu Bhagnani's film and that's the reason I consider them for all my films. The film will go on the floors by Jan-Feb 2009. Coming back to Bhootnath, how have you thought of promoting the film? Very soon one will get to see the teaser of Bhootnath. We have decided upon a very interesting marketing strategy which I don't want to disclose now. It will be one of the finely publicized films to be released on May 9, 2008. What are your expectations with the film? Well, my intention was to make a good descent film to maintain the successful journey of B.R films. An unusual story with the presence of Big B and SRK will hopefully make it a hit. Group Moderator for [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Connect your World with Us join Now - http://groups..yahoo.com/group/dimpill_gang/join Affiliated group from dimpill_gang for Only Adult Mails - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fantazies/join Affiliated group from dimpill_gang for Only Health and Food Mails - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Health_and_Gourmet/join Forgot the famous last words? 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