Not Everyday Story | Interview With Ahishor Solomon | Golden Podium

Recently we got a chance to do an interview with Ahishor and it was a perfect film to talk about in our Crime & Mafia Special:

01: As the promo suggests, John Day offers thrill. Tell us more about the film?

AS: It is more of a drama/thriller infact....it is basically about these two men, a simple honest god fearing man, and the other is a nihilistic corrupt violent man, let’s call them a saint and the beast....a particular event sets them out on a journey where eventually their paths cross. And they take a bit of each other... the movie doesn’t draw a line between good and evil but blurs that line... no one is a born saint or a beast it’s the circumstances that bring out the worst or and at times the best too ... John Day is a violent film, it is about people who are doomed and damned, there is no hope no solace but only destruction....read it somewhere "when you seek the path of revenge you dig two graves, one of your enemy and one of your own.

02: Thrillers are tricky to conceive and write. As a scriptwriter, how you develop an idea into a thriller on paper?

AS: The plot of the film is loosely inspired by a foreign film. But the core idea of the film occurred to me when once in my home town I witnessed a grotesque sight. A man biting a man throat in retaliation to the savage beatings. The image stayed in my mind only to realize that "with in every man there is a beast hidden and behind every beast there is a story"... yes that the core of the film... the writing took me a long time... drafts after drafts along with time, the script became more layered and characters more complex....what I shot is the 10th draft.

03: How was the experience of directing theatre legends like Naseer Sa'ab and Shernaz Ji?

AS: Fabulous.

04: How did Strings came on board?

AS: They were in Mumbai and a friend of my producer Anjum Rizvi met them and spoke to them about the film... he had seen it the other day on the edit... they liked the story of the film and expressed their interest to do a song... we met and clicked pretty fast... I think they are good at their work. Would like to use them again in my future films.

05: What will be your message for upcoming filmmakers

AS: Be at it...some day you will get a chance just like I did.

Team TRM wishes Ahishor best for his forthcoming ventures.

Annie In Love, Wrinkle Free | Shernaz Patel | Golden Podium

Shernaz Patel… If someone follows theatre, she needs no introduction. She is one of the most popular faces of Indian English Theatre. For everyone else, she played the role of Rani’s mother in Black. We got an opportunity to talk to her exclusively about her upcoming Indie movie Love, Wrinkle-free.

Q: Hi Shernaz, many congrats for your movie Love, Wrinkle-free. After seeing you in Black, Family, I Am and Rockstar... Love, Wrinkle-free will be a treat where we will see more of you. Tell us about your role in the movie?

SP: I play Annie Monteiro, a God-fearing Goan, married to Savio, an underwear salesman, with an adopted daughter, Ruth. I run a small shack, called Annie’s. While coming to terms with getting older, I suddenly get pregnant. Things go awry when Savio wants to start an edible underwear business, and my one dream, to sing in the church choir, gets more and more distant as the church wants younger singers. 

Q: My Mom was pleasantly surprised to see you in Black. If I am not wrong, you returned to Silver Screen after some 18-19 years. I am counting Mahesh Bhatt's Janam as your first. What was your reaction when you got the offer to work in Black?

SP: I auditioned for Black, never dreaming I’d get the role, so it was really hugely exciting to get cast and then work with such a talented team. It was a huge personal achievement and an experience that’s one of the highlights of my life.

Q: And what was your reaction when Love, Wrinkle-free was offered?

SP: I was thrilled! Annie is such a joyous character to play. And I don’t get cast often in this genre, which made it even more thrilling.  Not just the role, but its so fulfilling to work in independent cinema and to work with young and passionate directors like Sandeep.

Q: As an actress, which is the most challenging role you played? And why?

SP: My most challenging roles have all been in the theatre and among those, Love Letters is my favourite. It’s a play where I go from the age of 8 to the age of 60 with no make up changes, no costume changes. I have been performing this part for 20 years and I learn something new every show.

Q: As an actress, what do you look for in a script? What is that element which brings sparkle in your eyes?

SP: The role. I always yearn for roles where I can sink my teeth into the character, where I can push my boundaries and get challenged…its not the size of the part, but what I can bring to it that matters. Beyond that it’s the full package…the script, the director, the co-actors…its all important finally.

Q: Anything you would like to say to our readers and your fans...

SP: Please go and watch Love Wrinkle Free. It’s a small film with a big heart. It’s a fun evening out. And you will see me in a totally different avatar…we need you to support independent cinema so please go and watch it!

Its always a pleasure to talk to someone like her. TRM wishes Shernaz best of everything for her forthcoming ventures.