Mashhoor Amrohi makes movie

Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Mumbai (UNI): Twenty-four-year-old Mashhoor Amrohi, grandson of legendary film-maker Kamaal Amrohi, is all set to launch his maiden film under the erstwhile banner of ''Kamaal Amrohi Pictures''. More significantly, he will be the first actor, who will also write and direct his debut movie. In an interview to UNI here, Mashhoor said his film titled Hum Laakh Chhupayein Pyaar...Magar, is a romantic comedy, produced by his father Tajdar Amrohi. ''The film is based in London. The female lead opposite me will be a new face and I plan to divulge the cast at the 'mahurat' on June 19,'' he said.

Mashhoor, who has no formal training in acting or film-making, said he first conceived the story in 2003. ''But, I became serious about my passion for filmmaking and acting last year and wrote and rewrote the script,'' he said. He said the cine industry today is offering lot of opportunities for different kinds of films. But, according to him, entertainment was not bound by any genre. ''There is an objective of entertainment in action, comedy, drama and horror films. Everything steps in from faith and confidence in pulling off oneself,'' he added.

To a question on the choice of London as the venue for the shooting, Mashhoor said, ''The story demands London as the set up. All characters are UK-based. As a kid, I remember London as the city of family holidays. It has a very fun-filled atmosphere, he added. Serving three roles, that of lead actor, writer and director in his debut film, is not making Mashhoor nervous. ''I am excited and enthusiastic, and I am sure I will live up to the expectations,'' he said. Mashhoor aspires to carry on the legacy of his illustrious grandfather. ''I have been inspired by all my grandfather's movies. Even if I can achieve half of his excellence, I would consider myself lucky,'' quips the multifaceted young man.

Late Kamaal Amrohi captured the imagination of the audience with films like Pakeezah, Mahal, Daera, Dil Apna Preet Parayee and Razia Sultan. Although Mashhoor is inspired by the magnanimity and grandeur of the films of that era, he has, however, set out to make a film on a contemporary subject dealing with today's youth and their happy go lucky lifestyles. ''It is an out and out fun movie with plenty of romance,'' is all Mashhoor wishes to reveal at the moment.

Mashhoor said he believes in good and sincere cinema and is of the view that sincerity shows on screen. ''I want to be honest and do my best in all the three departments of filmmaking which I have taken up -- acting, direction and writing,'' he added. ''There are occasions when despite concentrating on one particular field, people do not achieve the desired success. What matters is sincerity and confidence,'' he added.

On being asked if comparisons with his illustrious grandfather would be unfair on him, Mashhoor confidently states, ''They are inevitable. It is surely an uphill task, but filmmaking runs in our blood and I will do my banner proud.'' The shooting begins next month and will be wrapped up in September. ''I plan to release it in January next year,'' he added.

To a question, Mashhoor replied he plans to continue with his dual passion of acting and directing. ''I am open to being directed by outside banners as well. I am aware success is not easy and I am willing to pay a price for it. At the end of the day, I can be calm and confident that I did it,'' he added. ''A good script holds a film. I want to be associated with good, rich content,'' Mashhoor said.

To a query on what genre of films he would be comfortable with, the young actor-director-writer said, ''I think I can cry well and do comedy. But, I would like the audience to decide and continue to work, based on their feedback.'' Mashhoor assisted David Dhawan for six months during the shooting of Mujhe Se Shaadi Karogi. ''I learnt to be sincere and committed to filmmaking. David is an amazing filmmaker and an institution in himself,'' he added. Music for Hum Laakh Chhupayein Pyaar...Magar has been given by Siddharth Suhas along with debutant composer Abuzar. Six songs have already been recorded in the voices of Kumar Sanu, Shaan, Sunidhi Chauhan and Adnan Sami.

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