OJJ is about three brothers who have a common dream:

By Bollywood Hungama -

April 6, 2002 - 12:00 AM IST

The cast and crew of Anupam Kher's directorial debut OM JAI JAGADISH are in a picnic mood. Wearing their picnic clothes, Waheeda Rehman, Anil Kapoor, Mahima Chaudhary, Fardeen Khan, Urmila Matondkar, Abhishek Bachchan and Tara Sharma are having a great time. May be the fact they have completed the film and that it will soon release is keeping them in good spirits. But hold on, we are told that the 'picnic' is actually a 'shot' in the film. But the beautiful, picturesque set created by Sameer Chanda at Film City actually looks like a mini hill station. Now that's why they say appearances can be deceptive. Actor-producer-turned-director Anupam Kher is in the middle of shooting the last song, which is being choreographed by Ahmed Khan, after which the shooting will be over. Says Kher, The scene being shot has the entire family going for a picnic. On his debut, Kher further says that after having acted in nearly 280 films and being around for almost 17 years in the industry, direction had to happen. It was a natural process and any thinking actor would definitely think of taking up direction after a point of time, he adds. So how did his dream of directing come true? I received a call from Vashu-ji (Bhagnani) and he said that he had a script which he wanted me to direct. The script was all about a modern Indian family. I liked it immensely and that's how the project began, says Anupam. More on the film. It's about three brothers who have a common dream to get their house back. As individuals, they are different from each other, but their aim is the same. Anil Kapoor plays the eldest brother who works for a music company. Fardeen Khan has the ambition of making the fastest car in the world, while the youngest, Abhishek, is into computer software. It was a dream for Kher to direct Waheeda Rehman. I told her during the shooting of LAMHE that I would like her to be a part of my maiden venture. She was kind enough to give us a positive reply. It was really a privilege to work with an actress like Waheeda-ji. Waheedaji adds, I was always open for movie offers. It's just that I want to play meaty characters. Anupam and Vashu wanted me to be a part of this project and since I liked my character immensely, there was no reason whatsoever to reject it. When asked how was it facing the camera after a long time, she says with a smile, It's the same. All of them are so talented. I have worked with Anil earlier, but this is the first time that I am working with Abhishek and Fardeen. Both of them are fine artistes. Incidentally, the actress has played Amitabh's mother in several films and this time around, she is playing Abhishek's mother. Abhishek Bachchan, who is doing his second film with Vashu Bhagnani, is charged about the project and doesn't hesitate to say that Puja Films is like home for him. And, of course, he is all praise for Anupam Kher. It's a pleasure working with such a talented person. He knows exactly what he wants. His understanding of the film and his way of explaining every scene helped me tremendously. Tell him that he looks stylish in the promos and he smiles. I am playing a loud character, a spoilt brat. Being the youngest, he gets away with everything. He is also very ambitious, but Indian at heart, says Bachchan Jr. Fardeen is confident of his role in the film. Says he, I am playing an ambitious man whose only dream is to make the fastest car in the world. I get so involved in my dream that it causes a clash in the family.