Karan Johar introduces two Delhi girls Riya Vizz and Jayati Modi in Gippy. K Bhardwaj finds out its director Sonam nair scripted a story based on her own adolescent years
Dream catchers flock to Mumbai to translate wishes into reality. No wonder most of them also board the next flight, after giving up on the struggle and pressure that city of films has to offer.
But luck came running to two Delhi teenagers now ready to debut with Dharma Productions’ Gippy.
The film school drama presents Gurpreet Kaur (Riya Vizz), as a less-confident child with an inferiority complex. Adding to her woes, is a rival Shameera played by Jayati Modi.
“My character is a fun-loving girl, close to her mother who is unsure of her capabilities. In the end, she emerges a winner,” said Vizz, a student of Sanskriti School.
“I think everyone feels insecure and jealous at this age. I too am shy and introvert.”
The 13-year-old never dreamt of being an actor.
“It happened on its own. I also like to play basketball and paint. For three months, I have been painting pictures and portraits on large canvases,” she shared.
Vizz faced camera for the first time, but faced it confidently.
“I learnt about auditions from a friend. I walked in and they took several rounds of auditions. Finally the director told me I was selected. The first shot was of my hand. So it was relaxed,” she said.
To understand her young actors, director Sonam Nair, whose debut this film is, called the kids to Mumbai before the shoot. “We stayed together, shopped and roam around. I wanted to make them comfortable, so they could open up and give their best. These girls are talented and have long way to go. Working with kids is a challenge, but I enjoy it. And I never got tough on them.”
The film stars around eight kids, chosen from around 30,000 children in different cities. Or so we were told. “I wanted fresh faces. I did not stop my hunt until I got the right cast.” Nair was taken aback when Karan Johar chose to produce Gippy. “I couldn’t believe it when he told me. I narrated the story and next morning, got the call. He said this film should be made and was proud to produce it.” She informed that Gippy is going to be different from typical KJo films.
“We are not high on drama. It is more real and according to the requirement. People will be surprised to learn that Karan produced Gippy. It is inspired by my own life. How I behaved as a teenagers and the other students around me,” she explained.
Gippy also introduces lalit Modi’s niece Jayati Modi.
Talking about the film and career, she said, “I always wanted to act. I got it through auditions, and nobody, including my uncle influenced the process.” Gippy releases this Friday.