Dharmesh Darshan turns producer

By: Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM
Thursday, April 12, 2007
After producing films for independent producers, Dharmesh Darshan, the director of hits such as Lootere, Raja Hindustani and Dhadkan, has decided to turn producer himself. "I felt it's the right time to take this step," the normally reticent Dharmesh informs me.

Dharmesh has decided to sign an impressive cast for his first production. And the first person he has signed is Upen Patel. "There're lots of characters in the film. I wouldn't use customary terms like 4 heroes and 3 heroines. Let me put it this way. There're lots of characters in my film and Upen is definitely enacting a lead character," Dharmesh divulges.

Upen seems to have become a hot favorite of the Darshans. "Upen is like family for us. But the reason for signing him is not because he's an extension of our family. It's because he's extremely talented and also suits the role," he clarifies. The maker is known for making heroine-centric films. Is the new film on similar lines? "Didn't Aamir in Raja Hindustani and Akshay and Suniel in Dhadkan stand out? I like to give equal prominence to actors in my scripts. In my new film too, the ladies will be as prominent as the guys," he clears the air.

Dharmesh is tightlipped about the film right now. "I've completed the script and signed Upen thus far. These are the only two aspects that are confirmed. I haven't titled it yet, not decided on the cast or music composer... All I know is that I plan to start the film in a month from now," he smiles.

Meanwhile, Upen is on a high these days. Shakalaka Boom Boom may've been on a slippery wicket at the ticket window, but the youngster has won immense praise for his performance in the film. And before the first week of S.L.B.B. could come to a close, he has already bagged Dharmesh's new film. Isn't he limiting himself to the Darshan brothers?

"People might feel that I am limiting myself to the Darshan camp, but the fact remains that I am getting a chance to work with a big director. He's worked with the best in the business like Aamir and Akshay and it's an honor to be considered for his film," Upen tells me.

Post S.L.B.B., Upen has received a spate of film offers, but the London kid is in no hurry to grab every offer that comes his way. "I want to do less films, only qualitative films. I now look forward to work on Abbas-Mustan and Suneel-ji's [Darshan] next projects," he adds.

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