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Through the lens Anil Mehta feels an editor’s craft makes them better suited to making movies

Anil Mehta moved to Indiranagar seven years ago because he “found Mumbai chaotic.” The ace cinematographer who has captured movies like “Khamoshi”, “Lagaan” and “Kabhie Alvida Naa Kehna” on film has not found time to come home to the city as he has been shooting his debut feature for Yash Raj Films, “Aaja Nachle”. The film, for all who are living on a different planet, is also dancing diva Madhuri Dixit’s big comeback film.

Pressing the rewind button, Mehta says: “When I was shooting ‘Veer Zaara’, Adi (Aditya Chopra) and I were hanging around and he asked me why I don’t direct a film. Then after ‘KANK’ he asked me again. At that time I gave it more thought as I felt that I had reached saturation as a cinematographer.”

Mehta says “Nachle” came to him “on a platter. I had the best production support from Yash Raj. The story was Adi’s. Jaideep Sahni wrote the script. When the script turns out well, that is half the battle won.”

The movie went along on a break neck speed. “We went into production quickly as we had to finish shooting before April. It was an outdoor shoot and we had a wrap up before the rains.”

“Nachle” Mehta says is not a “love story. It is the story of a small town, Shamli, and of a girl who goes away to New York. She returns home and the film explores the transformation that results in us losing our cultural spaces.”

Mehta insists the film is not a “harangue. It is a personal story and a mainstream film. I would not like to say it is a different film, because that is what everyone says. And if you say it is not a regular Yash Raj film, then I want to know how you define a banner that produces a ‘Kabul Express’, a ‘Chakde! India’ and a ‘Tara Rum Pum’. The perception of a Yash Raj film is too monolithic.”

For a cinematographer turned director, Mehta is very easy about his visuals. “‘Nachle’ is not a very visually oriented film. It is easy going visually. The visuals should grow from the script you know. It is very organic. You need to get under the skin of the story and interpret it visually. For ‘Nachle’ the look is natural, real and a tad untidy.”

Mehta preferred not to do the camera work for his film. “Mohanan, who also shot ‘Don’ is the DOP. I was very clear that I did not want to shoot the film. I believe cinema is built on collaboration. And a different DOP would bring in that important extra bit. I did not want to lose that contribution.”

The cast and script were in tandem. And about getting la Dixit on board, Mehta says, “Adi said ‘should we get in…’ and there was this big pause. Then he said ‘should we call Madhuri?’ The next day Yashji called Madhuri, she said yes and work flew from there.”

While Madhuri has no love interest, Mehta is all praise for his ensemble cast. “I am fortunate to have worked with this talented bunch of actors. Everyone from Kunal Kapoor and Konkana Sen Sharma to Vinay Pathak and Ranvir Sheorey have all turned in finely tuned performances.” Mehta admits the pressure of directing what is being perceived as Madhuri’s comeback film is enormous, “The expectations are too high. I don’t know if I have a back left! But we hope to captivate audiences across India.

I look at ‘Nachle’ moving on from Madhuri’s ‘Ek do teen’ days. The sensibilities are different now. But the title song shows that the old fire burns as bright as ever.

Music by Salim Sulieman has struck the right chords with listeners. “They have managed to bring out the character of the film.” The soulful ‘O Re Piya’, sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, a personal favourite with Mehta, is the flashback song. “The album has a huge width. And in this movie you can also see yet another talent from Madhuri — she is a wonderful singer. It is during the show they put up.”

Mehta agrees that an editor’s craft makes them better suited to making movies. “Look at Rajkumar Hirani (the Munnabhai movies) and Sanjay Leela Bansali, both are trained in editing and both have made mind-blowing movies.”

Ask Mehta what his future plans are and he says with a laugh: “I don’t know. I am a bit lazy. Maybe make another film. Something fun and entertaining.” Or maybe Mehta should come to Bangalore for a holiday and try negotiating in the totally hectic traffic!

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