"Kiran Kumar, Prem Chopra and Jackie Shroff are essaying performances that they haven't attempted in there illustrious careers of 20-25 years" - Mashoor Amrohi 
By IndiaFM News Bureau, April 26, 2007 - 03:21 IST
Mashoor Amrohi, grandson of the legendary filmmaker Kamal Amrohi is making his Bollywood debut in the triple role of a writer, director and actor in his film Hum Lakh Chupaye Pyaar Magar. IndiaFM introduces this fresh talent in an exclusive chat.
How does it feel to be the great grandson of legendry Kamal Amrohi?
Very privileged and honored. On some level I had the pressure of being his grandson and I have to be responsible with what I do and the kind of films I make. I have to keep a certain boundary to where my content is, in terms of bordering it with perfect scenario of being a comedy film. And not making it too paradoxical and slashed in nature. Because on some level I believe people will draw a comparison between me and my grandfather. So besides keeping my own niche carved in this film I would also want to do something that creates a persona that personifies his greatness.
Hum Lakh Chupaye Pyaar Magar is too long for a movie title. Don't you think so?
Well it's an ensemble of emotions and its something that transcends entertainment in its private and personal form. It's something that goes from every genre of emotion that the Indian film industry has witnessed over the past couple of years.
It starts off from being a complete dramatic caper and then transcends into being a thriller with some amount of suspense attached to it.
You've written the story, screenplay & you are acting as well. Don't you think you are doing too many things simultaneously?
On a superficial level yes, because then you are thinking that somebody is actually acting and directing and writing a film and involving his energies into those three departments. But when you come to the integrities of it the basic idea is to make a good film and create an entertaining product for the audiences.
There are people who have actually attempted to do one thing at one time and have unfortunately failed at that. And there are people who do 10 millions things at one time have surpassed people's expectations.
So in that regard if you are convinced about what you are doing and your belief is right and you come from the right place, also if there is certain amount of sincerity in your product and yourself, then I think it reflects on what you are doing and how the audiences is going to appreciate.
There are people who have actually attempted to do only one thing at one time and have unfortunately failed at that.
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You also did a death defying stunt in film. Why take the risk? Why did you not use a body double?
It was during the filming of the first song, Humse, and it required me to actually burn my leg in 7 degree. Only because its sort of creates a different form of entertainment. A visual excitement of sorts for the audiences to see. Something that will probably leave my audiences gasping for more.
So, on some level it was important for the script. On the other hand it was important for me to actually do it myself rather then having a body double do it. It was not only done to make things interesting for the viewer to watch and not be fooled. But also to make them realize that something like this is possible and it can be created regardless of whether you have a great stuntman with you or not.
Not that it wasn't risky. It was terribly risky, but it was worth the risk.
Why did you choose a romantic comedy as your debut vehicle?
It's not exactly a romantic comedy movie. Like I said it starts of by being one, but then it suddenly metamorphosis into completely different genres. The final product finally turns out to be something which is a genre of entertainment personification where every emotion of film making whether it's a comedy, horror suspense action romance is implicated.
There has been a lot of secrecy surrounding your heroine. Why?
There has been a lot of secrecy surrounding the whole film in totality. There has hardly been any say about my character or my doings in the film, other then the fact that I am directing and acting and writing in it.
In regards to the heroine actually being kept under wraps, it is only because I'm kind of skeptical about audiences having preconceived notions. One there is a lot that is being said about the actress, once there is a lot seen of the actress because on some level audiences will form a judgment prior to the films release and that will in some regard have an effect on what they are going to see and what they are going perceive from the film.
So in keeping the audience's ideology and the films genre my basic aspect was to kind of create a couple or a story which leaves the audiences bowled and completely enthusiastic with the film when they are watching it. And not having a judgment called just before they actually entering to see the film in the theater.
Music has been given by youngster too. Why not a known name?
Three youngsters. Siddharth, Suhas and Abuzar have composed the music. Only because the film regarded some sort of newness and uniqueness to its essay. And it was important for me to create a tune or a background score that went beyond what has actually been coming of for the past few years from Indian film industry.
It is important to actually present a new opportunity of talent to the audiences, for them to make a judgment call. Unless you don't actually present that in a grand manner. I don't think there is any saying about who is good or who is bad. I mean credibility is defined with talent and not with experience. On a large platform there are a number of filmmakers, music directors and actors who have translated some really bad performances. And then there are some good musicians and some good talented actors and directors who have surprised the audiences with there very first format.
So there is no saying whether credibility and experience is based on time factor. It's more on your passion and your talent and how far you are willing to stretch your abilities.
Aren't Govinda & Jackie Shroff doing cameos in the film?
It has Jackie Shroff in the primary key role and he is playing this underground racketeer of nightclubs in Singapore. Govindaji unfortunately couldn't do the film because he had to adhere to other films.
I haven't really thought of a replacement but on some level the character was changed to a different content. So now it is something that you guys will have to probably see in theaters when the film releases.
When are you planning to release the film?
Hopefully sometime in the middle of monsoon hoping that there is no 26/7 coming up this year. I am not sure if world cup of any sort hockey or football is happening. So sometime in the middle of the June and July once the colleges reopen and there is good amount of enthusiasm amongst the audiences who actually watch movies, my film should be out.
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Kiran Kumar, Prem Chopra and Jackie Shroff are essaying performances that they haven't attempted in there illustrious careers of 20-25 years.
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What is the USP of your film and why should people watch it?
I would be the first person to say that my film translates uniqueness in an exclusive form. It's got a complete new format of essaying the story. There is certain element of freshness attached to the film. Something that we hardly see in today's stunts. There is a broad spectrum of emotions and actors that are doing something that they haven't done before. For example there is Kiran Kumarji and Prem Chopra and Jackie Shroff who are essaying performances that they haven't attempted in there illustrious careers of 20-25 years.
Well obviously the fact that I have launched Vishaka who is the actress of the film. And for the sake of our stepping stone in this film industry I would want the audiences to come and bless us with their blessings and watch the film and appreciate it for its content.
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Kamal Amrohi’s grandson to act, direct and write!
