On The Sets Of AARZOO
Death & Desires
It's taken scribe-turned-producer Vikas Moan threee long years to round off his very first venture Aarzoo. And he seemed pretty much relieved on the last day of the shooting at Surve Farm a popular shooting locale near Mumbai.
The verdand settings of the Farm is being used to can some patchwork shots of the film. The lawns are transformed into a graveyard with a row of crosses dotting the vast green expanse. A much married Madhuri is crying over writhing figure of Saif, and Amrish Puri's face is contorted with greif. Looks as if it's curtain call for Saif. Director Lawrence D'Souza calls an OK shot and the cast and the crew disperse happily. Since the last day of the shooting, a feeling of bonhomie and celebration is palpable on the sets. Wiping away the glycerine tears, Madhuri flashes her 1000-watt smile and beings to explain that Aarzoo is a romantic thriller, "It is the story of three friends and the turbulence in their relationship. It's a love triangle where both the heroes fall for the same girl." Ms Dixit further stresses as to how she enjoyed working with saif and Akshay Kumar for the very first time. She did co-star Akshay in Yash Chopra's block-buster Dil To Pagal Hai, albeit in a guest appearance. "Both Akshay and Saif are very hard-working and it was a nice experience working with them," she admits. It is her third film with director Lawrence D'Souza, Saajan and Dil Tera Aashiq being the earlier films, she must be well tuned to his ways of functioning by now. "Oh yes, Lawrence is a wonderful director and he has infused the film with plenty of freshness," she states emphatically, quashing further enquiries about the striking similarities between Aarzoo and Saajan.
Press the same point with Akshay, playing a pilot in the film, he dies vociferously, "No, no! Only thing that is common between the two films is the love triangle and the similarity ends there. Aarzoo is not remotely similar to Saajan." Ask, Mr Heavenly Body if the film is inspired by the earlier Aarzoo starring Rajendra Kumar, Sadhana and Feroz Khan and he gets on the defensive rather quickly, "I have not seen the old Aarzoo, so I can't say. But as far as I know it is not based on any other film," he clarifies.
Back from the dead, Saif gets chatting and he waxes eloquent about his role. He playes an accounts executive in the film who is melancholy sort of a chap and the onnly bright spot in his glum life is Pooja i.e. Madhuri Dixit whom he worships right from his childhood but is unable to express his finer feelings to her even afterr growing up.
Prod him about his working experience with La Dixie and Saif replies cautiously, "I do not know her at all. But during the shotting I have noticed that she is a very dedicated actress." Now that's some observation, Chote Nawab.
Amrish Puri plays Madhuri's doting father in the film. "Though positive, the characters assumes a villainous streak as he foerces his daughter to marry another man. Though Madhuri loves Akshay, I con her into marrying Saif because he's richer. Saif dies at the end and I confess to my faul play," says Puri, "We may have two ends to the film like famous Malayalam Juhi-Mammootty-Mohanlal starrer. Saif could survive and live happily every after with his wife or we may return Akshay his lady love alternately. That should keep both Saif and Akshay fans happy," he elucidates.
Cinematographer cum director Lawrence D'Souza hoever begs to differ, "It is a love triangle, Saif dies in the end so that Akshay wins back his la amour."
After Saajan, D'Souza has consistently delivered a string of flops-Dil Ka Kya Kasoor, Balma, Sapne Saajan Ke and Sangram. A lot depends on the success of AarzooMain Khiladi Tu Anadi and also for the first time combo of Akshay-Madhuri. But the project was stalemate owing to the delay completion of hte film.
As a director, D'Souza cold have done better than that to guard his own interests, why couldn't he complete the film on time? "I needed bulk dates of artistes for a one-month schedule of the film to be shot in Scotland. It took me all this while to procure those dates shoot some songs, climax and some important scenes in Scotland. And I have completed the film finally," he says throwing his arms up in relief.
With the passage of time, Akshay-Saif pair has failed in two films Tu Chor Main Sipahi and Keemat. That must be telling on the prospects of Aarzoo. "Yes, it has," confesses Lawrence, "But the film has shaped up very well and it has Anu Malik's superhit music. Aarzoo will get hot again," he hopes. Better late than never, right Mr. Mohan?
Aarzoo has music by Anu Malik, lyrics by Anand Bakshi and is written by Remma Rakeshnath. Presented by RC Sharma, it is made under the banner of Dayavanti Pictures.
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