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By Bollywood Hungama News Network, February 8, 2008 - 11:47 IST
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. Bollywood Hungama 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 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.
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.
