Big B’s daughter in Kohraam turns lead actress in Krantiveer

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

May 14, 2010 - 12:24 PM IST

Jahan Bloch is not new to arc lights. Exactly a decade back, she played the daughter of Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Pradha in Kohraam [1999]. Now she has grown up to be a young woman and is ready with her debut film as a leading actress Krantiveer - The Revolution. Incidentally, both Kohraam and Krantiveer - The Revolution have been directed by Mehul Kumar, Jahan's father.

Big B’s daughter in Kohraam turns lead actress in Krantiveer

A veteran of close to 20 odd films, Mehul Kumar has made some notable 'masala' potboilers like Tirangaa, Paap Ki Aandhi, Marte Dam Tak apart from Kohram and of course Krantiveer. He was also responsible for the much hyped comeback of Amitabh Bachchan when he directed him in Mrityudaata (1997).

"Even in my earlier years when I got an opportunity to play Amitabh Bachchan's daughter, I was very comfortable in front of the camera. Same is the case today as well when I am the playing a full fledged character", says an ever-so-perky Jahan who is the latest to join the list of celebrity kids turning actors.

For Jahan, it was a childhood dream to be seen as a mainstream heroine one day. "Call it the genes and being a part of filmy family but ever since I can remember, I always wanted to be an actress. I must have been three years old when I spoke to dad about me becoming an actress when I grow up."

She is more than willing to admit that she didn't feel the need to join any acting classes for her big break as a leading lady in Krantiveer - The Revolution.

"Frankly, I didn't see any need for that. I come from a family that has made movies for decades, so why not learn straight from them? My on the job training started at home itself as I used to visit my dad's movie sets on a regular basis. I just wanted to study the overall atmosphere of filmmaking", she says.

A sequel to Krantiveer, Jahan's debut film features her as the daughter of fiery Nana Patekar. She plays a journalist who is set to lead the revolution against terrorism, violence and corruption. Isn't that too heavy a subject for a newcomer like her?

"My thinking is that 99% of the actresses debut with a romantic film with songs, dances and stuff alike. I asked myself if I too wanted to follow a conventional approach and the answer was 'no'", confesses Jahan.

Further explaining the reason behind choosing to follow a different route, Jahan says, "I wanted to do something far more challenging because it makes you work harder. Also, though the risks are of course bigger, the benefits are much higher. I don't want to be monotonous and instead demonstrate my calibre by playing a role that other actresses out there would possibly get after working in five or six films".

Krantiveer - the Revolution features Samir Aftab opposite Jahan. The film, which has music by Sachin & Jigar and is aiming for June release, also stars Kelly Dorji, Ranjit, Farida Jalal, Govind Namdeo, Mukesh Rishi and Aman Verma in principal roles.