New Delhi:
Amitabh Bachchan-starrer ‘Chehre’ has figured in the list of the top 10 best films from around the world released annually by global media and entertainment firm Alpha1Media and BigB is gung-ho about it. The list is called ‘A1Film Top 10 List for 2021’. This list is made up of movies drawn from Hollywood, Bollywood, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Far East.
Rumi Jaffery opened up about many anecdotes from the set in an exclusive talk with News24.
When asked about his feelings and emotions on getting selected in the top 10 best films from around the world, he said, “We made the film with a lot of love and expected it to reach the maximum number of audience. It feels amazing honestly as our efforts have finally paid off. I am extremely happy about it.”
On his experience of working with the veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan, director Jaffery said, “It is a dream of literally every director to work with Big B, every person wants to meet him, work with him and I am beyond blessed to be able to live my dream. I am very lucky as this is my 4th time working with him. I wrote for him twice, and directed him twice.”
The filmmaker also opened up about Amitabh Bachchan’s generosity as he did the whole film for free. He said, “Amit Ji did the whole film for free and it was unexpected for us too. When I and Anand went to see him, discuss the film, he heard the story and said that I won’t charge for this one, I won’t take any fee for this film. We were shocked, we literally forced him but he didn’t listen to us. I don’t want that my fees shall burden this film. So that, this film will be one of the hits since the start. I can never forget this, will never be able to thank him enough. He even paid for his own hotel stays and charted plains.”
“He did all this because of the script, he loved it. He showed his best confidence in me, supported me, loved my script so much that he didn’t charge at all. I was eager to make a movie out of my comfort zone, do something i have never done and this script was my chance so Amit ji showed his confidence and said you make what you want to, do as you want to, i am there,” he added.
Talking about his relationship with Amitabh Bachchan, he said, “We have a bond of 25 years, we are like friends despite of the age and experience gap. We often meet, share our poems,
shayari
and all. We are very close and we share a lovely bond.”
The film was shot in a snowy location with a cast of mostly middle-aged, aged people. Sharing the experience, he said, “Everyone was very supportive, we shot in Delhi first than Poland. We were told that Poland is extremely cold in December. Also, late actor Rishi Kapoor told me that he shot for ‘Fanna’ in Poland during the winters and the weather ruined us all. Don’t you love your actors? Your film? And it was all true, when we reached there it was -17 degrees. We were all very cold, lighting bonfires but looking at Amit Ji we all felt okay, as he was so comfortable and warm all the time. He did his work with utmost ease.”
On his plans of working with Big B in the future, he said, “If it was in my hand I will work with him again and again as it is a lot of fun. His dedication, discipline, his contribution is amazing. Yes, I am working on a project and might work with him soon. I have done many films but this one is extremely special for me as it has many special things. This is the only Indian film that has been selected in the Top 10 best films worldwide and I am extremely proud of it.”
While talking about Amit Ji’s famous monologue, Jaffery said, “It wasn’t an intention but it just happened. And Amit ji wanted to give out a special message for society through this film. After the final dialogue was ready, the next day when the scene was to be shot, Amit Ji came on the set, I spoke action and he spoke the whole monologue in one take, and after saying cut, the whole team started applauding for him and went on for one whole minute. This monologue turned out to be a total of 14 minutes and it was the longest dialogue ever, that too in the very first take.”
On his experience working with the other actors in the film, Rumi said, “If I talk about Anu Kapoor, we all know that he is an outstanding actor. Dhritiman Chatterjee is Bengal’s legendary actor, Raghubir Yadav and all the stars are the best. It was actually great and wonderful bringing all the big weights of the cinema into one film. I consider myself lucky.”
“It’s Crystal D’Souza’s debut film and she acted with complete dedication and devotion. It was also wonderful to work with Rhea Chakraborty. My film technicians all have contributed to the film and it is because of them the film has come up so beautifully and the world is appreciating it,” he added.
He finally opened up about the set shown in the film. He told, “The set was made in Mumbai for the shooting of the interiors of the house. And as for the exterior, we created it through VFX. All the other actions roads, trees falling were shot in Poland.”
On his plans of working with Rhea Chakraborty again, he said, “Till last year, before COVID-19, I was planning because at that time Chehre was scheduled to release in April and at that time I had decided to begin shooting with Sushant Singh Rajput and Rhea Chakraborty.”
On Rhea Chakraborty’s Bollywood future, Jaffery said, “I feel she will get a warm welcome. With time things change. There is no closure in the case, but also nothing concrete has come up. People have sympathy for her as she and her family has gone through a lot. The industry is looking for her return to films and they will welcome her with both hands.”
Talking about his previous films, genres; he said, “I love and enjoy scripting and writing films. It’s my passion and I am fond of both comedy as well as intense films. I have scripted a lot of comedy films and this time my intention was to make direct a film and make everyone surprised.”
“I was happier when people watched it. When the trailer of the film was out, most of my friends – journalists, actors – said they were finding it difficult to believe that I have made the film. They said they know me for so many years and by watching the film it appeared to them that they were watching some Hollywood thriller. This gave me a kick and I was feeling awesome. The image is formed in the minds of people that a person who is writing comedy film scripts is just contained to one genre. This will be an advantage for me as I will be able to make films of different genres and people’s confidence in me will strengthen,” he added.
He also talked about the criticism he faced while shooting. The filmmaker said, “When I used to talk to my friends about the film, they used to say that I have gone crazy as I am shooting 70 percent of the film inside the house and that it will be more like a daily soap or serial. And now the results after the film release are making me proud.”
On his film getting global recognition, he said, “Just like Chehre, other films will also be different now. They won’t be regular.”
Talking about his next project, he said, “I don’t want to promise the time of my next as COVID-19 has changed the entire scenario of everything and everyone.”
“I am working on a script and when the situation gets normal, I will start casting and commence the shooting,” he concluded.
Produced by Anand Pandit and directed by Rumi Jaffery, ‘Chehre’ has been one of the most talked-about films of 2021, dubbed as the Year of the Resilience of Cinema by Talal Malik, chairman and CEO of Alpha1Media. It has an IMDB rating of 6.6.
]]>
, International, ,