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Picture perfect story

Partners in mystery Ayesha Takia and Akshay Kumar

Those who’ve seen Nagesh Kukunoor at work making his first few films in Hyderabad know two things — that he prefers a start-to-finish schedule to shoot his films and that he loves to write scripts whenever intrigued by new ideas, even if he were to revisit them much later to translate them into films. “I wrote Tasveer six years ago. It was born out of a simple idea. We all look back at old photographs and a few pictures take us back to that time and mental space. We recall that moment and even the conversation, food, etc. I wondered how it would be if one had the psychic ability, like a clairvoyant, to draw inferences from photographs,” says Nagesh.

Tasveer 8x10 is the biggest production directed by Nagesh till date. Compare Rs. 30-35 crore budget of this film with his first, Hyderabad Blues, made with just Rs. 17 lakh. A big budget film warranted a saleable star and he chose Akshay Kumar, who has become synonymous with action comedies. “I like the idea of making actors explore something they haven’t done before and it was precisely for that reason that Akshay signed the film,” explains Nagesh. Akshay plays an environmental protection officer who tries to unravel the mystery behind his father’s death through photographs.

Completing and releasing the film was tougher than Nagesh had imagined. “We just completed the film and its postproduction a few days ago. It’s not just my method of work,” he says, referring to the many stumbling blocks he faced. “The schedule in Canada went haywire because the line producers didn’t deliver as promised. We had Akshay’s dates for 40 days but shot for just 17 days! And we were left with no stunt director.” Nagesh himself stepped in to choreograph stunts with Akshay’s help. “Akshay had committed to other projects and told us he’d be unable to give bulk dates again even if he wanted to. The rest of the film happened as and when dates were available,” says Nagesh.

The second schedule in South Africa was rewarding, nevertheless. “We had a good stunt director (Shyam Kaushal who also worked on Slumdog Millionaire) on board and that made all the difference.” But the troubles weren’t over. The production house Percept Picture Company had a run-in first with Big Pictures and then with T-Series. “I am happy that we made the film and it is getting released,” says Nagesh, the exasperation palpable. Ask him about the end result and he quips, “When you work too closely with a project it is tough to be objective.”

The cast and crew includes a few of his favourites — composers Salim-Sulaiman, actors Girish Karnad and Ayesha Takia. Nagesh admits there’s a comfort level working with thorough professionals who know his style of work. “Girish brings in good energy; is a good human being and a no-nonsense performer, which is why he’s become a regular in my films.”

As Nagesh awaits the BO response to his big ticket release, he hopes his other pet project Aashayein starring John Abraham will release this June, followed by Yeh Hosla with Sameera Reddy.

Work has kept him away from Hyderabad for three years and Nagesh says, “People tell me I’ve almost become a Mumbaiker but I guess it’s tough to take out the Hyderabadi nature out of me.”

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