Dedh Ishqiya is hitting theatres this week. Abhishek Chaubey admits his mentor Vishal Bhardwaj has profound influence on his life and work, so the question of working independently has not hit his mind yet. By Karan Bhardwaj
Post the success of Ishqiya, everybody was excited for its sequel, apart from its director Abhishek Chaubey. In an age where filmmakers announce the sequels even before the films get released, or they intentionally leave some scope to take the story forward, Chaubey was unsure whether his second film, which is now called Dedh Ishiqya, should take off. “You make a film because you have story. But I didn’t have it. Everybody around me felt that the way Ishqiya ended, made way for another story. I had my doubts if there was any room for sequel, especially because the multi-layers in the character of Vidya Balan, and all the mysteries around it, were revealed in Ishqiya. There was nothing new to it,” said the director.
So the only way to go ahead was with fresh script and faces. “We got writers on board and that’s how it took off,” said the director. While he was in the process of crafting his characters he was sure about the actress who will essay the role of Begum Para. She is sensuous, royal, an aristocrat, mysterious, 40 plus and a Kathak dancer. “Who else than Madhuri DixitIJ” director beamed. Had Madhuri rejected the film, Chaubey would have to make serious changes in the script. “But she agreed to do it in the first meeting only. We knew she was away and not doing films that time but we were optimistic. She had seen Ishqiya and liked it. So we didn’t have to convince her,” he said.
Dedh Ishqiya has been shot in Mehmoodabad (60 kms from lucknow), areas in lucknow, Jodhpur and Mumbai. “I am always particular about the location. Research and recce are the most important part of my job. The mood, flavour, art backdrop are like the backbones of the film,” he said. While the female characters are new additions, Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi are the only imports from Ishqiya. “Babban and Khalujan will face bigger challenges. While the problems between the two still exist and they keep trying to address it, they both will be reacting to a different situation, where the ladies are even smarter,” said the director.
Chaubey began with his career assisting Vishal Bhardwaj in Makdee over a decade ago. While he continued to assist him in all subsequent movies, he also wrote Omkara and Kaminey. Ishqiya was his directorial debut. “Vishal has a profound influence on my life and work. We think alike so we are working together. I believe he is one of the best writers in country. He helped me hone my skills, be it screenplay writing or directing films. We share lovely professional relationship but he doesn’t interfere in my work. As a producer, he gives absolute freedom to take decisions on any matter,” he said. But does Chaubey plan to move out of Bhardwaj company and start making films independentlyIJ “I don’t think we are a camp. I work with him because I like to. I haven’t thought of working independently as yet,” he said. The director has already started writing his next, which is a thriller.