Mast Curry - Roushika Reikhi

After the scripting was done, locations were locked in. I moved onto the most important and very crucial part of Mast Curry.

Casting! The casting had to be absolutely perfect for the film to work. The reason being, the script was a character driven script rather than gimmickry based script. It was up to the actors to enact their parts so well, so that they breathe life into the characters and hence the film.

So often, we have heard that film is a director’s medium, but I have no qualms in admitting that Mast Curry is a film that is more of an actor’s medium.

I met a lot of girls and guys to cast for the part of Saira, Kelly, Bamboo bhai and Mustafa. After a month long audition when I checked my audition register, there were 500 odd boys and around 100 girls. Still, I couldn’t find any actors to fit in the characters.

I still, recall meeting this amazing girl, she had taken part in a Mega Model contest and she was very keen on doing the film. However, she just couldn’t agree on the compensation. That was in March 2008, she told me she was getting a mainstream feature-film and to accommodate Mast Curry, she will have to forego that film and hence she wanted a good compensation.

However, today, she hasn’t got that film; the said film is shelved according to latest reports and the fact that she called me up a week back informing me she regretted her decision and how much she wants to be a part of Mast Curry 2 (if I intend making a sequel) speaks volumes of the meat the character of Saira has.

Eventually, just three weeks before the film was to start filming, I met this actress called Roushika Reikhi. She had done some Tamil and Telugu films and music videos.

Initially, when I told her, it’s a modest budget film, she excused herself from the film; but then she called me up (afterthought I guess) expressing her desire to meet me and listen to the script.

I narrated the script to her and as we neared the interval point she asked, “When are we filming it?”

Thus Roushika came on board and after we shot the film, I was pleasantly surprised as she really lived the role of the hooker, Saira to T.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Mast Curry - Tatiana

After Saira’s character, I started looking out for an actress to play the other female character, Kelly Samra.

I was initially looking for an NRI girl, but as I developed the character; I found that I needed a non-Indian girl to play this character because the complexities involved in the character would best be brought by her. This I knew from the experience I had from my previous short film where I replaced the Indian girl with a Swedish actress and the results were more than what I had desired!

The best part of Hindi film industry booming is that there are so many non-Indian girls willing to be part of mainstream features. I was also amazed by the fact that as many as 21 non-Indian girls turned up to audition for the part of Kelly.

Though, the casting was a tedious process, as I needed a complete actor to play Kelly. The actress had to be a good comic actor as well as very emotive. I was just not finding the right actress, when I got an email from Tatiana, introducing herself.

We decided to meet and I auditioned her for the part.

What amazed me was the honesty she had while auditioning. I had a few reservations about the way she was performing the scenes. I told her rather flatly that I didn’t like the audition and the concerns I had regarding her performance.

Tatiana told me to point out the exact manner in which I wanted her to throw the dialogues, modulate and time them. I did so, she auditioned again.

And boy! Was I in for a surprise when I saw her put in her own improvisation in each scene? Frankly speaking, the scenes were looking much better now.

I could see my Kelly come alive when Tatiana performed them and there were no second thoughts about casting her.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Mast Curry - Ankit Challa

Ankit Challa, an amazingly gifted actor plays Bamboo Bhai. I guess his casting is the perfect example of one’s belief in oneself. For the fact is I rejected him outright after the audition. So how did I cast him? We will come to that in due course of time.

I first met Ankit on 1st April; April fool’s day is not the ideal day for an aspiring actor to meet a director, but I guess destiny had Ankit meet me on that day. He was the 1st to arrive for audition at around 10 in the morning. I had a look at him and found his physical attributes conforming to the character of Bamboo Bhai.

I gave him a scene and asked him to prepare for the audition.

In the meantime, other actors trickled in and they too were given a set of scenes for the audition.

Ironically, it wasn’t Ankit but another actor who was the 1st to audition. With due respect to that actor’s talent, he was a bad actor. Believe me when a director auditions day in and day out, nothing spoils his mood as bad as auditioning a bad actor right at the onset of the day!

Ankit came in next and since I had already put high hopes on him (reason being he was trained by Barry John) I was expecting some crackling display of a performance.

“Are you ready”, I questioned Ankit.

Ankit with a flat face said “Yes I am.”

“Action” I directed. Ankit let out a few dialogues and I was appalled in the manner, in which he was throwing it all up.

“Rejected”, I told Ankit matter-of-factly, as he finished the audition.

Was Ankit hurt or dejected, well yes, I guess so, looking at the way his eyes welled up.

The auditions continued and as I took a break I saw Ankit sitting outside.

Probably he wants to catch up with some friend, I thought.

Finally, as I wrapped up audition around 9 in the night and came out to leave, I saw Ankit was still sitting over there.

I saw him a bit perplexed, before I could ask him anything, Ankit walked up to me and said “Sir, I am really keen to do this role.”

“But you don’t fit the part” I reasoned.

“Sir, If you could just give me the scenes for a day and I will come back for the audition” Ankit had a seriousness and a look that just didn’t make it possible for me to refuse him.

Against my done practice of not giving out scenes to actors before the shoot, I gave Ankit the entire set of scenes.

For the next three days I didn’t hear from him and owing to my busy schedule I forgot about him. On the fourth day I got a call from Ankit “sir I want to meet you”.
“But I am done with the auditions” I told him.

“I know that sir, I want to show you something”, Ankit said.

I called him over and Ankit showed me the entire chunk of scenes enacted on his mobile phone.

I wasn’t as much amazed by his performance, as I was amazed by the commitment and the effort he had put in, into trying to get a role.

I immediately told Ankit the role is his.

Over a period of next few days, he continued the exercise of filming himself on the mobile.

With each passing day I saw him sinking into the skin of Bamboo Bhai. So much so, after a week, I couldn’t help but comment “you will remind audiences of young Amjad Khan in Sholay”.

I told Ankit to grow stubble; that was plain director-speak, however, my words turned prophetic, when during the shoot, a couple of elderly ladies watching him perform told Ankit “you look so much like Amjad Khan”.

I guess that’s my biggest achievement as a director so far!

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Mast Curry - Rahul Sethi

The character of Mustafa was the most difficult to cast, reason being the role was pretty small.

Some of the actors I auditioned were not receptive when I told them despite its short length, the character will leave an indelible mark on the audiences (part reason being, most actors world-over don’t understand characterizations)

A couple of actors who were interested were (with due respect to them) outrageously bad and I did give an honest advice to four or five of them to forget acting and try to get a decent job or get into their pa’s business.

One fine evening Rahul Sethi called. I have known Rahul since 2004 and in between he was supposed to do my experimental feature Virgin… Mira; but things didn’t work out.

After that he told me a lot of times he wanted to work with me but things just didn’t materialize.

We chatted for a while and he told me that he came to know that I was starting a feature called Mast Curry. I told him, I was and the next thing I knew we were talking about casting. I told Rahul rather honestly that most of the parts have been cast and there was just a small cameo of Mustafa.

Being in the industry for four years, I guess, Rahul knew more than the length of the role, the depth of the role matters. He wanted to meet me and I squeezed some time out of my busy schedule.

We met and I narrated the role to Rahul and the next thing I knew, Rahul asked me when do you need me?

I was bowled over by Rahul’s conviction for the character of Mustafa. I gave him the schedule and I must say that he gave life to Mustafa.

Many a times I have heard about the ‘destiny’ factor in films; I guess, it’s so true whenever I see Rahul. A handsome young man, he is tall, got the talent, the looks and the style; yet that big break is eluding him. Why? I guess destiny.

Though, I am quite sure that sooner or later, he will make a mark for himself or should I reframe it thus, “he will make a mark once the destiny wills.”

I can just wish this tremendously gifted actor with oodles of screen-presence, all the very best!

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Mast Curry - Highs & Lows of blogging
The response to the blog so far has been overwhelming. Most of the people have sent me their feedback with emails and not put in any comments. When I asked them for the reason, the unanimous reply each of them gave was “I want to keep it personal and I guess this is more respectful to a film-maker too.” Well I am touched by this kind gesture of my well-wishers.

Not that all well-wishers sent me bouquets; there have been a fair share of brick-bats too. Like one of my friends (a writer she is angling for Booker, no less) sent me a fairly long email (quite an arduous one to read) saying I need to improve my writing style, it is too juvenile!

Well, Honey I don’t want to win a booker prize!

Then there was this gentleman who said “You appreciate your actors a lot. Is it a mutual admiration society?” Well, my actors deserve all the accolades in the world for their exquisite performances.

Another friend from media said “I was rather too sharp on the media.”

Well, I guess I have rather been too lenient on my observations. Over here, I want to cite a little byte I saw on Aaj Tak, where a young journalist was questioning Mr. Amitabh Bachchan before the release of Sarkar Raj.

“Amit ji aap jab bhi hamaare studio mein aate hain ek alag ghadi pehankar aatay hain? (Amit ji you wear different watches each time you come to our studio?)”

I was aghast. Is this the IQ of a journalist to question an icon on his upcoming film?

Before I could chew it, Mr. Bachchan set the erring journalist right.

“Aapko mere se Sarkar Raj ke baare mein poochna chahiye, mera kirdaar kya hai, vo kis tarah se film mein viksit hota hai, film kee kahaani kya hai, kya iss kirdaar ko nibhaane mein mujhe kuch kathinaayiyaan aayeen, banispat meroi ghadi ke baare mein poochne ke, ya phir Abhishek, Aishwarya aur meri badhaayeeyaan karne ke (You should ask me questions regarding Sarkar Raj? What is my character in the film? What are my motivations? How does the plot move about? Were there any challenges in the role? Instead of, asking me about my watch or praising Abhishek or Aishwarya or me)”, a visibly upset Amitabh retorted.

The point is and I reiterate that almost ninety percent of film-journalists employed by almost fifty-odd news-channels are unfit to report on films. They should be sacked immediately.

Coming back to the blog, there is a very interesting observation by my dear friend Sarina. I should include the time and the place where I write the blog from.

Why, you wanna catch me red-handed keying in the post!

Jokes apart, I guess, I will put it in effect from this post itself.

So here I sign off, at BBC (Bombay Baking Company), J W Marriot, Juhu Mumbai at 12.15 p.m.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Mast Curry - Amit R Agarwal

June 6, Cinemax lounge, 10.30 a.m.

I am here to catch the FDFS of Sarkar Raj. Franly, I rate Sarkar as one of the best films in Hindi cinema and naturally I am all excited to catch up with Sarkar Raj.

Just read an interview of Ramu in DNA and boy, am I amazed by his quick wit?

Here are three samplers:

Q: What did you gain from RGV ki Aag?

A: I have received about one million, twenty lakh, twenty three advices and criticisms. I have written all those advices down and follow them while making movies. You know everybody has become an expert film-maker after watching RGV ki Aag! (did I smell sarcasm J?)

Q: It’s surprising that you are off women too. At least, you are not making movies for them.

A: Maybe you don’t know. I have realized women are better than just one woman.

Q: Are you on your way to making a harem?

A: Harems are too expensive to maintain.

Hmmm, the point is Ramu sort off inspires you to make the films you believe in.

Could any other film-maker even have thought of remaking Sholay?

No, never; but Ramu did. We are not talking about how bad it was; the point is he was convinced he could make a better Sholay.

In my few years in the industry, I have realized that “CONVINCE” is the guru-mantra to success. You have to “CONVINCE” a star or a superstar to work with you. You have to “CONVINCE” a producer to put money on you. You have to “CONVINCE” the crew to work in the kind of money you are offering. And you have to have someone to “CONVINCE” you to act J

Yes, I started acting (or whatever) only after my actress on Virgin… Mira and a dear friend, Reema Ali could convince me that I can act.

The problem started when one of the actors coming in from Bombay (OK MUMBAI) called me up just two days before the shoot informing me, he has fractured his hand and won’t be able to play the character of Raghav Krishna in Virgin… Mira

Was I in a fix?

Two days, casting a new actor, for a very complex character; I looked up towards the sky and my eyes met with Reema’s, she was standing on the roof-top. She could immediately sense that something was amiss.

After much prodding I told her about my tribulation and pat came the solution. “Why don’t you act?” Reema said fluttering her doe-eyes.

“Are you flattering me, I am in no mood” I said.

She told me she was serious and after much cajoling, I bit the bait. After the movie was completed and when her mother (also the co-producer), an astute business-woman, saw the movie, she was like, “are you an actor or a director?”

After that, on the insistence of my friends, a couple of assignments followed, most notable being Nokia ad-film with Mad Films. And then I started to get outside films.

A short film with my friend Rajesh Singh followed aimed at film festivals (walking red-carpet at Cannes, eh!)

I Am A Love Addict followed; and in January 2008, I got a signing from my dear friend Arunima Sharma, who’s pitching in my film-script “The Bald & The Beautiful” to some major production-houses in Hollywood with me playing the lead.

Ideally, I wanted Vinay Pathak to play Honey Kapoor. However, post Bheja-Fry he is unaffordable (yup, can’t afford a couple of lacs!) So the entire cast sat down and told me, “you are the guy”

And I shot, with myself, playing Honey Kapoor. Believe me directing and acting in a same film is the most tedious job; because you have to rely on the aesthetics of your DOP completely while framing, moving the camera and the right pans or tilt-ups. That apart, make-up takes a lot of time, to allow any leeway for creativity and with shoe-string budgets, time is a major constraint.

I guess we as a team came up against all these odds to make a good curry oops Mast Curry. Thanks to the entire cast and the entire crew.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Mast Curry - B4 the shoot

June 7, Barista (near Prithvi Theatre), 11.00 a.m.

I am not really enjoying the famed Mumbai rains (they are OK for a while, but after that the mashed piles on the roads are not easy on eyes); though I am enjoying the steaming coffee I am sipping while writing.

After the principal cast was done, I was on to the casting supporting roles. I found that casting for supporting roles was tougher. Each guy or girl, who came in, wanted to play lead characters (no less) irrespective of being told in all honesty and modesty that they really don’t have it in them to make it big (do I have it in me? pray I have J).

After about a week of making no breakthrough, I decided on a radical change. I cut off all supporting roles from the film. The script went a major change and when I narrated the changed script to the cast, they found it to be better!

Did I hear somewhere; whatever happens, happens for the best.

We started preparations for the shoot, what in film-terminology is called pre-production. We sat on costume-design; production-design, props & other aesthetics involved for shooting.

Since, Mast Curry is a real-time movie; it was both a boon and a bane. Boon because we didn’t have to prepare the elaborate costume-charts or go through the rigmarole of never-ending costume trials. Bane because the very thought of getting into the same costume for 15-20 odd days was “Ugh”.

So we decided to buy 7 sets of each costume. Now getting 7 sets of one costume was difficult, even the biggest stores had, at the most 4-5 identical costumes (shape, size, color, fabric).

Finally, after a very taxing shopping schedule, the costumes were in place.

Next came the production-design, I was sure I wanted to keep Mast Curry as realistic as it could be. The story could happen to anybody, me, you or probably that nosey neighbor that’s a real p**n in the a$$. To achieve it, I didn’t need elaborate production-design, instead I needed a design that the audiences identified with.

Rasika came in quite handy for the production-design and intelligently worked in such a manner to make simple look beautiful, which is the real art!

Next came in the shooting schedule, the done thing is that all the scenes on a particular location are done with before changing to another location; but being a real-time movie, I couldn’t afford that because any shift would mean a change in lighting and continuity and mood. So I had to shoot the scenes in a sequence, even if that meant coming to same location a number of times. Thus our work increased manifolds, but no one complained and I guess everybody enjoyed the shooting.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Mast Curry - Problems b4 the shoot

June 8, my Lokhandwala pad, 9.00 a.m.

The water is still drizzling, the pour since 5th June hasn’t yet abated and though the thing is not pretty clear yet, I sincerely hope; Mumbaikars don’t get a repeat of 26th July.

The other thing that is pretty clear to me now, after blogging for about ten days is that; it is a highly creative and time-consuming job. I mean look at the amount of time you invest to make your blog interesting. To really let your creative-juices flow into the writing and let the writing does the talking. Amazing!

Amazing, really amazing, are the ways of God, too. Just when you think that everything is in order for the shoot and you are wanting a pre-shoot bash to celebrate the hassle-free completion of pre-production; comes the news that your cinematographer has broken his hand.

You throw your hands in despair and give a good look to HIM; you don’t see HIM, but a couple of dark clouds in the sky.

Trouble-time?

This was exactly the scenario I witnessed two days before the shoot, my cinematographer broke his hand and called me up, “Sir I have a plaster, but if you want I can shoot”, he told me in all earnest. For the first and probably the last time in the world, I didn’t have a reply. Man, I was royally messed!

Time for trouble-shooting!

Out came my mobile from my pocket and I begged, cajoled, dared almost all the camera-man I knew, to shoot this cinematic feat – Asia’s 1st real time movie. However, either the people were genuinely busy or the people feigned to be busy. The point was Mast Curry. How will I shoot it?

How I wished I had learnt a bit of camera and put it into use in Mast Curry (but then what about acting, an after-thought soon occurred).

Now very few people are actually going to do it, but I did it, I went to collect the equipment (camera, lights, sound mikes, etc). My vendor could sense something was amiss. I told him in all honesty about my cinematographer, his fall and his ‘hand’. After a bit of deliberation he said “Well, I have one cinematographer, if you would like to test him.”

Always one to take up challenges, I immediately asked him to introduce me to the person and I guess his knowledge of Amitabh Bachchan (and not Lars Von Trier) got him (Surendra) the job. That he was passionate about camera and films; came to me only during the shoot.

The positive response to the rushes, make me believe that he has done a decent job with the camera. I hope the audiences feel the same way too.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Mast Curry - Time Management

June 9, Enigma, JW Marriot, Mumbai, 2 a.m.

Enigma is one of the most unusual of places to scribble a blog-post and that too on a piece of couple of tissues. The shocked, contemptuous, surprised, amazed and cocky look of a couple of hip girls (that I didn’t notice any guys is obvious) told me that I was doing something drastically stupid or inane or whacky as they might think of me; but then I have always cared two hoots about the world.

“Mujhe jo sahee lagta hai mein karta hoon”.

So while my companion Veronica (we just met about 6 hours ago at Mocha) went to the washroom saying 5 minutes and I waited patiently for her for 10 minutes (since I shook every part and I mean every part J of my holistic body, I didn’t wanna shake it anymore) and started yawning; I decided scribbling is definitely better than yawning (saves my time too, Time Management).

The reason I talk about Time Management is that earlier in the day I saw a full page (ah, may be half or quarter!) ad of Times Now where Mr. Bachchan was gonna tell that he was indeed writing the post on his blogs.

By noon I had these few set of wicked, uninspiring friends calling me questioning my blogging skills.

Now, I have never claimed that I am writing stuff Sholay, Mother India, Mughal-E-Azam or Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge is made of, but I am definitely writing the kind of stuff Partner’s and Om Shanti Om’s are made of.

So I invited them over, “why don’t you come over and see for yourself; though I agree with the Big B the whole exercise will be very uninspiring”.

Let the world (Hindi Film Industry and Hollywood included) believe what it wants to the fact is: Believe in the best.

The second reason, I talk about time-management is the fact that once I had Surendra coming in (new cameraman), I was really skeptical whether I would be able to finish off the schedule as planned.

I knew I needed to put even a minute (that has 60 precious seconds) to its optimal use. I requested my actors to learn the dialogues by heart, as I just won’t be able to afford any retakes. Some of the actors listened to me; while a few others didn’t (they will be taken to task right here later on).

Everything went as planned, despite a few hiccups here and there; Mast Curry taught me one very important thing in film-making: Time Management.

Sunday, June 8, 2008