It is not everyday that directors allow journalists to spend time on the sets of their films. So when director Sudhir Mishra and producer Prakash Jha invited us to Goa for the shooting of their film Khoya Khoya Chand (earlier titled Bahut Nikle Mere Armaan), we jumped at the chance.
The idea of filming in Goa's serene locales kept the crew's spirits high inspite of the tiring bus journey from Mumbai. We reached the Vilasol resort in Panjim -- which had an old vintage bungalow feel to it -- which will be used as one of the locations as a character's house in the film. But we will get to that later.
The first day was spent in preparing for the next day's shoot. Sudhir had reached the location a day before. The costume designers were at their busiest -- getting some last minute fittings done for lead actress Soha Ali Khan.
Set in the 1950s, the film is Sudhir's homage to filmmakers and actors of that era who put their personal wealth and studios at stake to make films. He developed a passion and love for that era when his grandmother would show him films like Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam.
"The characters of my film are not based on specific actors," Sudhir says. "But I have drawn references from the lives of directors and actors of that time," he said. The director also spoke to some stars from that era like Waheeda Rehman, watched their films and researched their lives.
Rajat Kapoor, who played Preity Zinta's uncle in Dil Chahta Hai, and directed the well-reviewed film Raghu Romeo, plays Prem Kumar, an established actor of that time. Shiney Ahuja plays Zafar, a writer-director and Soha Ali Khan plays an aspiring actress Nikhat. Interesting, Vidya Balan was the first choice for Soha's role.
Famous singer-actress of yesteryear Noor Jehan's grand daughter Sonia Jehan, television actor Pradeep Kharab, Saurabh Shukla and Vinay Pathak are the other characters in the film.
Text: Priyanka Jain
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