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Tuesday, February 09, 2010

In Mausam Shahid Kapoor will surprise all Pankaj Kapoor

In Mausam, Shahid will surprise all: Pankaj Kapoor

Seasoned actor Pankaj Kapoor is all set to make his directorial debut with Mausam with son Shahid in the lead. The father is confident that Shahid's varied acting skills will surprise everyone.

"I know people would be curious to know what we're making together. That would be a big USP for me. Shahid has great potential. People have always seen him as a chocolate-box hero. But in Kaminey we could see another side of him," Pankaj told IANS.

"Shahid's USP are his dancing skills and fluent diction. For Mausam, I required an actor with range. I've a gut feeling my son is going to surprise not just the audience but also me," he added.

Pankaj says that Shahid wanted to work him. "The idea was to do something meaty and challenging. We should be starting in another two-three months. We're into pre-production. I've written a lot of scripts which I couldn't direct and could only star in. When Shahid became an actor, he expressed a desire to be directed by me, I thought it'd be wonderful to work with my own son.

"But I signed him only after I saw the potential in him. We've been working on the script for three years. Meanwhile, a really wonderful thing has happened. Shahid became a big star. I'm very proud of him as his father. And Shahid's stardom is a happy happening for Mausam."

The original plan was to only direct the film and let Shahid take the lead. But now giving in to pressure, Pankaj has decided to make an appearance in his directorial debut.

"It would be an Alfred Hitchcockian kind of fleeting appearance. But I'd largely like to concentrate on making the film and stay behind the camera," he said.

The actor, who recently wowed the audiences with his performances in films like Maqbool, Dharm and The Blue Umbrella, refuses to divulge details about his directorial debut.

"It's a love story and we don't want any of the details being picked up by other filmmakers. I plan to bring my own sensibilities together with Shahid's," said Pankaj, who doesn't like being labelled an offbeat actor.

"It's rather sad that I've been dubbed an offbeat actor. But whenever given an opportunity I've done mainstream cinema. I've nothing against commercial cinema as long as the rendering of the story is sensible.

"I've learnt so much watching the commercial greats. I hope to use all that I've learnt from them into my own Mausam. If the producers are spending crores on my film I better get it back for them."

Incidentally, the title Mausam may change. "We'll try and find an alternative name. I know the association with the film by Gulzar saab called Mausam is too strong. The format of that film was inspired by Ingmar Bergman's Wild Strawberries. That Mausam is far superior to what I'm trying to achieve in my first film as director."

Shahid Kapoor goes on an all India search for a heroine for his dad film

Shahid Kapoor goes on an all India search for a heroine for his dad film

By: Subhash K Jha
Date:  2009-11-05
Place: Mumbai

It's final. Pankaj Kapoor's first directorial venture Mausam, starring beta Shahid Kapoor will now have a new leading lady selected from an all-India talent hunt that begins on 26 November.

The talent hunt will take Pankaj and Shahid on a six-city tour through Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad. But contestants from other smaller cities around these six metropolitan centres can also participate.

Beta picks a girl

According to sources, although Pankaj Kapoor and the producers of Mausam Sheetal Talwar and Madhu Mantena will take the help of a television channel to shortlist the girls, the final choice will be left to Pankaj Kapoor. "And Pankaj will leave the ultimate selection of the girl to his son. Almost like a bride hunt," giggles a source. 

Daddy ke liye

Shahid will also double an assistant on the his papa's set. It is learnt that Shahid would be helping his father in every department of this project. He has set aside all other projects, so he can be his father's right-hand man on his directorial debut. He wants Senior Kapoor's film to be as close to perfection as possible. And he also wants to learn the ropes of direction while helping his father on this film."

Adds the source, "Shahid has charged Rs 12 crore for doing Mausam. But the money is irrelevant. He is in this to make sure his father gets it absolutely right."
News MIDDAY