Mumbai: Bengali writer-filmmaker Abir Sengupta is set to mark his upcoming quirky comedy 'Indoo Ki Jawaani' starring Kiara Advani in the lead. In a recent interaction with ETV Bharat, Abir candidly spoke about his upcoming film, career and more.
When will 'Indu Ki Jawani' go on floors?
This September. As soon as Kiara said yes and we signed the agreement, I brought it in the forefront.
Where is the shooting taking place?
Not yet decided. We are still left with the reiki.
Is this your first Bollywood debut?
No, I have already worked in a Hindi film 'Man to Man' which is under post-production period. The movie will release on online streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon, etc. It will not hit the big screen.
How excited are you to work with Kiara Advani?
Oh, very much. I am super excited. She is amazing. She is superb. I've always heard actors first read the script and then take months to decide. I have heard that they have a lot of ego and attitude problems. But Kiara is Kiara. She is different. She is simple. No tantrums, nothing. She just heard the story and said only one thing, "Ye to bahut achha hai". And we are on.
Kiara is very intelligent and beautiful. She could catch the essence of the film easily, which made me very happy. I was really in search of someone like her. I could really see the glimpse of my Indu in Kiara.
READ MORE: Kiara's gets lead role in quirky comedy 'Indoo Ki Jawani'
Sources are abuzz that 'Indoo Ki Jawani' is a quirky comedy about a dating app and a girl from Ghaziabad. Is it?
Bang on. Exactly.
What made you cast Kiara?
Don't you think she is just perfect. In Karan Johar's 'Lust Stories' she just nailed it. It was her best acting till date.
When did you want to become a filmmaker?
(Laughing) I am an accidental director. My focus was too write scripts for films. I was never a literature person. I was a filmbuff. And this part of me is more then a film director.
Then how did you happen to be a filmmaker?
The thing goes like this. It's like a story itself. My business partner Anushree Mehta found a director me. She kept on saying that I should lead as the captain of the ship. Look in Mumbai, it takes years to get your film. You have to go here, have to go there, have to talk with this director, that producer. We were making short films for companies. Anushree told me, instead of going to other directors, why don't you direct a film for us.
How welcoming is Bollywood for Bengali directors?
See if you have a good story, they will welcome you. No matter where you come from. There is no bar. As I believed in my stories, the producers believed in me.
Are you planning to cast any Bengali actor in your film?
No not in this film. Because this film is going to be located in Ghaziabad. And the Bengalis have a very strange way of speaking Hindi with an accent. But I have worked with a Bengali DOP in my man to man film. His name is is Abhimanyu Sengupta. He is a very young fellow. Very talented. He is just 25 years old. He has done the making for Jomer Raja Dilo Bor shooting.
'Indoo Ki Jawaani' will be produced by Madhu Bhojwani, Nikkhil Advani, Monisha Advani and co-produced by Niranjan Iyenger and Ryan Stephen.
