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On to `Shikhar'

After `Sarfarosh,' John Matthan is ready with `Shikhar'

IN FOCUS John Matthan

John Matthan. Does the name ring a bell? Umm. Well, he made `Sarfarosh' more than half-a-decade ago. He also happened to be probably the first director in mainstream Hindi cinema to call "the enemy" by name - Pakistan. He talked of the Muslim anguish too in a civil society.

"In college I had a lot of Muslim friends. I knew their bent of mind. I had a problem with the direct reference to Pakistan though. The Censors wanted the mention deleted. I refused to agree."

Fine, but why is Matthan in the news now? Well, ever since `Sarfarosh' became a hit and many cinemagoers found themselves humming Nida Fazli's ghazal, `Hosh walon ko khabar', Matthan has not been able to rest on his laurels. At times indulging his wanderlust, at times putting pen to paper. And finally, putting together a film that is close to his heart - `Shikhar,' starring Ajay Devgan with Shahid Kapoor and Bipasha Basu.

"After `Sarfarosh,' I decided to take a year off. I wanted to see all of North India. I had not seen rural India. I wanted to discover the unknown.""

Wanderlust over, Matthan decided to do what he does best - make a film. . "I started shooting in October 2004 and in a year we wrapped up everything. This time we have got U certificate without a single cut. The Censors were thrilled to see the movie."

And he expects the viewers to be thrilled too? "I believe I have a gripping film. But I am a bit anxious too, I am waiting for their judgment. . I expect the unexpected all the time. Anything can happen."

Matthan has cast Javed Sheikh, a Pakistani actor in the film. "I needed a face that matched with Shahid because the actor would be playing his father. I couldn't find anybody here who fitted the bill as well as Javed Sheikh."

ZIYA US SALAM

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