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Mahesh Bhatt is all set to bring the Bob Woolmer episode to the silver screen
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Photo: AFP
Who will play Bob? Mahesh Bhatt says his brother Mukesh will scout for talent in London
Mahesh Bhatt is a busy man. The maverick filmmaker cannot wait to finish “Awaarapan” before he dives headlong into his next film where he intends to bring the Bob Woolmer death to the silver screen. Yes, much before the sleuths have been
able to arrive at the truth regarding the Pakistan cricket coach’s death, Bhatt has decided to make a film on the subject. Maybe the deal is to strike when the iron is hot. The film is to be called “Jannat”.
He plays it safe though. Calling it “a love story against the backdrop of cricket”, Bhatt admits the whole Woolmer episode with suspicions and accusations flying thick and fast galvanised him into action.
After Awaarapan
“At the moment I am reining myself in from talking about the film simply because I am busy wrapping up “Awaarapan”.
Talking about “Jannat” can build up some artificial pressure to finish the film by a particular deadline. But yes, I am definitely making the film on the entire Woolmer episode though we will not name him anywhere in the story.
The allusions will be there though. We are using a fictional situation but the people will see the obvious connection.” Like we had shades of the Abu Salem episode in “Gangster?” But he is more forthcoming with the details of “Jannat”. “The film is still in the scripting stage. The script shall be ready by mid-June and we intend to begin shooting in August. The film, with Emraan Hashmi in the lead role, will be shot in South Africa and the U.K. We have not shortlisted any foreign actor for Woolmer’s role yet but my brother will scout for foreign talent in London.”
But, how will he manage to squeeze in music in a story which has the Woolmer death as the backdrop?
“The film is not just about the coach’s death. It is a love story against the backdrop of cricket. There is betting, there is match fixing. And because it is a love story there have to be songs too. Music is an essential element in all my films.”
So, when does he hope to wrap it up, considering he is known for making quickies with a touch of class?
“Well, it is a work in progress. It should shape up well and people will find a chord because it is a contemporary subject. It is not an exact replica of the real-life tragedy but our research will stand us in good stead.”
And who is going to be the girl opposite Hashmi? “Without disclosing the name, I can say that it will be a landmark film for her. She is a young girl, talented. She is yet to get her due.”
Will not too much attention on love and romance queer the pitch for a film on a cricket coach?
“Wait and watch,” is all that Bhatt says. So there…
ZIYA US SALAM
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