Amisha Patel to play a ghost in Punjabi film

Manpriya Singh

There are a few questions, which otherwise might be a little rude, but are very relevant and almost obvious in the context of actor Amisha Patel. Where has she been? And what went wrong? The questions that take precedence over anything else that she might have been occupied with, which by the way, she clarifies, there has been a lot on her platter.

“Oh, I have been really invested in the setting up of a production house and my project is releasing this year and for anyone who knows, it’s a lot of work, you have to have everything in place, the actors, music, script,” shares the actor as she comes calling to Chandigarh for the launch of her production house, Magnificent Films Production.

Having also been in Patiala for three weeks in context of a shoot schedule, lately it’s only been projects that don’t keep her away from the office for long. “I am also doing a Punjabi film with Navv Bajwa, which I will start shooting for soon,” she talks of playing a ghost, while also refusing to say a few lines in Punjabi, as she is yet to start shooting.

Making sense of madness

Joining in is none other than Tinnu Anand and it’s a given that with an actor, director and writer of his stature, passionate conversations on cinema often lead to discussions. Which is why, he sums up the entertainment and all the mediums available to a millennial with one simple gesture of pulling out his mobile phone from the pocket.

“Everything has now boiled down to this. Something I had predicted long ago. When you go to cinema, in Rs 2,000 you get to watch a film, whereas here you can watch 2,000 films in that much of money.”

For a director behind films that actually made Amitabh Bachchan, who he is today, like Kaalia, Main Azaad Hoon and Shehanshah, repeated questions on their remake are something he is used to now. Speaking of which, “But I am rewriting Shehanshah, the 1988 film.” Should classics be remade depends on whether actors like Amitabh Bachchan can be replicated. “Whenever I think of Kaalia and Shehanshah, I immediately think of Ranveer Singh.” Lately busy with, “Voiceovers and commercials,” he is not so far tempted to explore the web and all that comes with it. “Though, I also feel an actor’s job is the laziest job and also the most well-paid job. You come, say your lines, then withdraw to your van. As a director, all the problems are yours. When I was directing Major Saab, Amitabh Bachchan’s company was going through financial troubles and all his problems became mine.”

Two-film wonder?

Kaho Na Pyaar Hai was a dream debut any outsider could ever ask for. Followed by yet another super-hit, Gadar. But the very fact that should have resulted in a long innings in Bollywood, is the very fact, she feels, that weighed her down with the baggage.

“I experienced success very early in my career, which is why despite giving hits like Humraaz and Race 2, everything still came down to two iconic films that you can’t run away from.” Perhaps, that is why she nods very strongly to the statement that Bollywood can be such an unpredictable place. “Even now after films like War, Hrithik Roshan is asked to perform on songs from Kaho Na Pyaar Hai.”

Well, that was his debut as well. Moving on, she neither denies, nor discounts the perks of being a star-something. “Why should I deny? I am an outsider in the industry and I am still an outsider. This place is surrounded by star-kids, star wives, star-husbands…and I don’t even have a filmi boyfriend or a filmi father.”

manpriya@tribunemail.com