On the sets of 'Dil Jo Bhi Kahey...' in Mauritius 
By Taran Adarsh, November 5, 2004 - 07:03 IST
Mauritius has been a part of many a Hindi film. But, for the first time ever, an entire film revolving around a Mauritian family that resides in Mauritius is being attempted in Bollywood.
East meets West. No, we aren't talking about Gurinder Chadha's BRIDE AND PREJUDICE, but Romesh Sharma's DIL JO BHI KAHEY..., which marks the debut of both father Romesh Sharma and son Karan Sharma. In fact, DIL JO BHI KAHEY... is nothing short of an acid test for the Sharmas.
While the Sr. Sharma makes his directorial debut with DIL JO BHI KAHEY..., Karan makes his big screen debut as an actor with this film. Interestingly, the film is a big screen adaptation of Romesh Sharma's 42-episode French television series CEST LA VIE, which starred Karan in the same role that he's enacting in the film.
DIL JO BHI KAHEY... is not another love story. It's a sensitive story about love and human relationships. It's about the clash of two cultures -- East and West. It's about a Mauritian boy of Indian origin [Karan] falling in love with a British girl [Annabelle] and the conflict [parental opposition] that ensues.
Set in Mauritius, DIL JO BHI KAHEY... revolves around Shekhar Sinha [Amitabh Bachchan], his wife Sandhya [Revathy], their son Jai [Karan Sharma] and his relationship with Sophie Besson [Annabelle Wallis]. It's almost a fairy tale love story till reality catches up with the lovers.
* * *
Romesh Sharma has indeed thought of a novel idea to introduce the lead pair of the film to us -- on a cruise, in the middle of the sea. We sail from the Grand Bay on a sunset cruise and our companions for the evening are Karan and Annabelle. Over to Karan first.
KARAN SHARMA
This strapping 23-year-old 6-footer always dreamt of becoming an actor one day. And his dreams have turned into reality today. “As far as I remember, I always nursed the desire of being an actor since I opened my eyes. I've grown up in an atmosphere of editing rooms, preview screenings, trade magazines and box-office figures and I couldn't think of pursuing any other profession when I grew up,” he reveals.
Please continue. “Perhaps, I don't have the temperament of a producer. That explains why I never followed my father's footsteps [Romesh Sharma has produced AITBAAR and HUM in the past]. But acting always fascinated me. And my family was extremely supportive when I told them that I was ready to face the arclights. However, my father did advice me on the pros and cons of the profession. You know how the equations change every Friday. One Friday you are up there, the next Friday you come crashing down,” he adds.
Bagging the pivotal role in DIL JO BHI KAHEY... must've been a cakewalk considering his father is producing [in association with Entertainment One] and directing the film. “Yes, it was easy bagging the assignment,” Karan admits, “When I look at the newcomers trying to enter the industry and struggling to manage a foothold, I thank my luck. But I also realize that it's not just contacts or right breaks that make you a success story, but your talent, your perseverance, your sincerity and of course, Lady Luck.”
Is DIL JO BHI KAHEY... an ideal launch? “I couldn't have asked for a better launch. Imagine sharing the same space as Mr. Bachchan. I am truly privileged. Besides, dad has assembled a top-of-the-line technical team, like Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Javed Akhtar, Binod Pradhan, Raju Sundaram... Also, dad has filmed the story at some of the best locales, like Stockholm and Mauritius,” the soft-spoken youngster says.
Karan did his schooling in Mauritius, got enrolled in London University, in between enacted the lead in the French television series CEST LA VIE [he became a teen sensation in Mauritius thereafter], arrived in Mumbai, joined Kishore Namit Kapoor's acting classes, did a stint with Pt. Satyadev Dubey and then, donned the greasepaint. He now awaits the audience verdict!
ANNABELLE WALLIS
Born in U.K., brought up in Portugal, moving to London to pursue a career in movies and landing up a role in DIL JO BHI KAHEY... That's Annabelle's life-story in short.
“I am truly enjoying the experience of being an integral part of a Bollywood film,” the pretty damsel informs us, “Bollywood is big in U.K. today and when I tell my British friends that I am acting in a Bollywood film, I can see them turning green with envy [laughs].”
Annabelle had no clue about Bollywood movies, or how it functions till she bagged DIL JO BHI KAHEY... “I live in an area in London which houses a lot of Asian families. So, in that respect, I wasn't new to the terminology 'Bollywood'. But, yes, I had not watched Bollywood movies earlier. I did make it a point to watch them later. I saw several films, including those of Mr. Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai,” the warm and friendly lass reminisces.
Was it tough working in a Bollywood set up? “From where we originate [U.K.], we are very rigid about rules and regulations. You've got to live up to the commitments, come what may. When I started working for DIL JO BHI KAHEY..., I realized that Bollywood is equally professional, but there's so much of warmth and love in everything they do. The bonding has been fantastic, we are more of friends than colleagues today,” she smiles.
Annabelle says that she is not being presented as a typical Bollywood heroine in DIL JO BHI KAHEY... “It would look ridiculous to make me run around trees and mouth lines in Hindi. My dialogues are in English entirely,” she divulges.
Where does she see herself after DIL JO BHI KAHEY...? “I am really looking forward to working in Bollywood films, it's so much fun. I genuinely mean it,” she sounds honest.
The conversation with Karan and Annabelle takes a backseat as everyone on the cruise - including the P.R. from Mumbai [Prabhat] and Mauritius [Marina] - start enjoying the waves and wind.
* * *
The same evening, a get-together has been hosted at the sprawling, super-luxurious Hotel La Plantation for us [we have been put up here!]. It's here that we catch up on Romesh Sharma, who has been shooting at a feverish pace since the past few weeks.
Mr. Bachchan won't make it to the sit-down dinner because “he's had a terrible backache since morning,” we're told. A showreel, giving a gist of the film, is screened on the occasion.
ROMESH SHARMA
It's after 13 years that Romesh Sharma is again attempting a biggie, his last release being the Big B - Rajnikant - Govinda starrer HUM. Where was he all these years? “After HUM, I attempted a non-star cast film BANDHU. But no buyer was interested in acquiring the film. I got so disheartened that I made a television series out of it. I had a family to support, I had a lien of Rs. 60 lacs in those days… Luckily for me, the television series clicked and I started concentrating on TV thereafter,” he informs.
Did he stagnate? “Yes, I started feeling claustrophobic after a point. I decided to take a break from work. But before that I had already made CEST LA VIE for Mauritius TV, which enjoyed an 87% viewership. I thought of making a film out of it,” he states.
Was it easier getting into production and direction all over again? “Well, I may not have had a hefty bank balance like some producers, but what I've earned is tremendous goodwill and respect. So when I approached everyone -- right from Mr. Bachchan to Javed-saab [lyricist] to Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy -- everyone was gracious enough to help me realize my dreams,” he gets emotional.
He falls short of praises when it comes to praising Mr. Bachchan's gesture. “When Manmohan Shetty [Entertainment One is co-producing the film] asked me to sign Mr. Bachchan so that the set-up becomes viable, I was in a dilemma. Mainly because my equations with Mr. Bachchan are completely different - he's a brother, a family member I look up to. I thought about it for two weeks and one day approached him with the offer. All he said was, 'Billu [Romesh is affectionately called by this name], tell me when you want me to report for the shooting. I don't even want to know what my role is.' I was completely speechless. What a gesture! I'd always be indebted to him,” Romesh speaks from the heart.
He continues in the same breath, “As for direction, I've always had this ardent desire to direct a film some day. When everyone says DIL JO BHI KAHEY... is meant to be the launch vehicle of Karan, I'd like to correct them that it's actually a dream come true for me as well. Actually, I am also realizing my dreams with DIL JO BHI KAHEY...”
DIL JO BHI KAHEY... is being marketed as a Valentine film. “That's because the content of the movie revolves around companionship and love. The essence of the film is in accordance with the spirit of Valentine's Day,” Sharma adds.
Day 2
We begin the day with a t?-?? with Karan and Annabelle, who join us for breakfast. Thereafter, the personnel of Apavou Hotels [La Plantation], Sharonne Maulette and Saheed Eyasim, and Raj Bhujohory of Air Mauritius brief us about what Mauritius has to offer.
We pack our bags and leave for an outdoor location, in the midst of a sugarcane field, where Bachchan and his reel-son Karan are participating in the filming of a song ['Mere Munna Zara Sun-na']. The crowd goes berserk as they spot Bachchan and the unit is forced to move to another field nearby. But the fans continue to multiply.
'Bless my child,' a woman requests Bachchan. The actor flashes the by-now-legendary smile. People wave out to him, chanting his name like they've known him for years. Someone even wants to touch his feet…
But the man continues to remain as humble as ever. He wears a constant smile, waves his hand every time a fan greets him, even handles the traffic so that the shooting can take place without wasting time. The Big B is incredible!
AMITABH BACHCHAN
Bachchan admits to signing DIL JO BHI KAHEY... for emotional reasons. “When he [Sharma] approached me with the film offer, I didn't think twice. You can't think from the mind all the while, you've got to take [emotional] decisions at times,” Bachchan states.
Has Sharma lived up the expectations? “Yes, he has. It has an interesting storyline and he's doing complete justice to it,” he says. A detailed interview with Bachchan will appear in our next issue.
SIDELIGHTS
- It's not Romesh Sharma or Karan Sharma who are at work. The entire family is thick into the film. While Romesh is directing and producing this Rs. 7 crore fare and son Karan is being launched as the lead man, daughter Neema is handling the production of the film. Romesh's elegant wife is the support system of the family, while youngest Nakul radiates positive charm. Each one is contributing in their own way!
- Bhumika Chawla essays a significant role in the film. But her character is being kept under wraps at the moment.
- Romesh Sharma has enacted a small role as well, that of Mr. Bachchan's friend. In real life too, Bachchan and Sharma have been thick friends for over three decades.
- Revathy enacts the role of Big B's wife in the film. “I accepted the offer primarily because I was getting an opportunity to co-star with Mr. Bachchan. Besides, I wanted to take a break after PHIR MILENGE and shooting in Mauritius came as a God-sent opportunity,” she smiles.
- Revathy has been making rasam and curd-rice for the South Indian unit members. “In my spare time, I make it a point to go to the hotel kitchen and cook for the unit,” she tells me.
- Amitabh Bachchan is constantly giving tips to Karan as and when the youngster needs it. The bonhomie on the sets is amazing!
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Animated Big B!
