Some song, some dance
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A favourite at "Jhalak Dikhla Jaa", Mahesh Manjrekar talks about the change from being a director to being directed.
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With many movies in the can Manjrekar asserts that "Struggler", "Deha" and "It Rained One Night" are ready but awaiting release.
VERSATILE Mahesh Manjrekar.
A gold chain accentuates a black jacket with spangled pink lapels. A red scarf is conspicuously tied around his wrist. He gyrates to his partner with Bollywood moves but with the attitude of Mumbai's `taporis'. This is Mahesh Manjrekar, director of moving films like "Astitva" and "Viruddh". Used to calling the shots, he now takes orders from a young Sonia Jaffer. Meeting Manjrekar on the sets of Sony's "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa", it is evident the man revels in challenges. With this show he risks well-being and alters image.
Speaking in the greenroom and still in his show costume, he is an obvious gentleman. He insists that everyone sits and leaves the room to fetch a chair. But finally agreeing on a compromise, he settles on the greenroom counter once everyone is seated. Tired after his energetic performance, he says, "I am waiting to get out!" But quickly adds that after entering the show he was determined to strive, "I don't like doing things in half measure." He says simply, "My daughter told me to do my best. She is my strength." He seems startled at his own success in the show, "I thought I will get out in the first round."
In-step
Rumours of differences with his partner had been whispered through the sets. Not side-stepping the issue he says he has "different energy levels" with her. He reminds us that she tends to forget his age! His complaint is that his partner likes things too choreographed, "I feel the audience might not like that." But considering that the judges marked them 29/30 for their interpretation of `Aila re ladki', it is clear that Sonia has the right ideas. He concedes, "I cannot interfere. When I act, I take orders."
But he is glad when the conversation turns to work. He is working on a yet untitled movie, based on the Brazilian, "City of God". The movie deals with the Mumbai's mills strikes. "It is about the root cause of the mill strikes. There was so much unemployment. But no one knows what they did or where they went. There was no thought for those who left." Asked about the cast he replies, "I don't need faces. I need characters. I want them to look like real mill workers." With many movies in the can he asserts that "Struggler", "Deha" and "It Rained One Night" (an English movie based on "Astitva") are ready but awaiting release. "Struggler", with only him, he classifies, "Is not a very commercial movie. It is different." Manjrekar does seem to be excelling at the different.
NANDINI NAIR
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