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His first production venture "Omkara" is proclaimed as one of the most intense films of 2006. And Kumar Mangat wants to continue making films that are different from the rest, that have some message.
His next is "No Smoking" directed by Anurag Kashyap with John Abraham, Ayesha Takia, Paresh Rawal and Ranvir Shorey in lead roles. This will be followed by Rohit Shetty's "Sunday" which stars his favourite Ajay Devgan along with Arshad Warsi and Ayesha. The third will be his daughter's launch pad "Haal-e-Dil". Ajay's brother Anil is wielding the megaphone for the film.
"I want to make zara hatke films. I want my films to have some message. For example, 'No Smoking' will show that smoking not only harms the lives of those who are addicted to tobacco but their families as well," Mangat, who is currently shooting "Sunday" in Delhi, told IANS.
" 'Sunday' is a film about Delhi and about life here. It's a crime-thriller with dollops of comedy. I'm planning to release it in October. We are shooting practically everywhere in the city. We've shot at Dilli Haat, India Gate, Chandni Chawk, Connaught Place, Lal Qila, the airport, Pragati Maidan and are planning to shoot in the metro. We took permission two months back to shoot in all these places."
His bonding with Ajay is unshakable.
"I've been with Ajay for so many years. He is one of the best actors in the country and is also one of the best human beings in the world. When I decided to be a producer, he gave me full support. He never let me feel that I'm new in this field.
"No, it's not true that he's acting in all my films but he is like family. Though he isn't working in 'No Smoking' he helped with the script. I always take a second opinion from Ajay."
In "No Smoking", Mangat was impressed with John's level of commitment and professionalism.
"When I signed John, I was told he's a little moody but I never felt it. He was very cooperative. The thing is that actors also see the attitude of producers. Problems crop up when a producer fails to give due importance to his project. In that case actors also take it lightly. The fact is that everybody is looking for success and if a team is doing a good job than every actor gives it importance."
Mangat, who recently launched his daughter's debut film "Haal-e-Dil", says he never took her passion for films seriously till she started getting offers from outside. Then he decided to launch her.
"She was interested in acting since she was a kid but I never took it seriously. She joined John Matthew in 'Shikhar' as an assistant and in 'Omkara' she worked as an executive producer. She took on the responsibility of the entire production work. She would get up at 4 in the morning and get the entire unit ready for the shots. It was after 'Omkara' that I started taking her passion for films seriously."
"Hal-e-Dil" is a triangular love story starring his daughter and two new actors.
"The entire main cast is new. There are two heroes in the film. You must have noticed that if a love story is made with new stars it works. The budget of the film is going to be more than Rs.100 million. We are going to shoot it lavishly."
Talk veers around to "Omkara", which was lauded all over the world but didn't get the same recognition on the home front. But Mangat has no regrets.
"I am more than happy with 'Omkara'. When I released it last year, Mumbai was flooded. Gujarat, Bihar, all these places were flooded. So it had an impact on box office figures. But on the whole, we are more than happy. I'm hugely satisfied after making 'Omkara'. Distributors are happy too."
Mangat says he can't expect more.
"It got four awards in Pakistan and also won trophies in Egypt, Morocco, Singapore and Malaysia. And people are still inviting the film across the globe."
Apart from "No Smoking", "Sunday" and "Hal-e-Dil" he is making two films with Ashwin Dhir.
"One is a comedy with three heroes and is still untitled. The second is 'Headlights', and is about the media. We are going to show how the media manipulates news according to its own convenience."
The latest trend of corporate players entering into showbiz is a welcome relief, says Mangat.
"My production company Big Screen has joined hands with Eros Media. More corporate houses mean more funds. Also, they have networking in the overseas market, so that also helps. Then they have their own people and their own vision, which helps in strategising the marketing and promotional plans. Good marketing can make a good film better and bad marketing can ruin a good film."
By Arpana, Indo-Asian News Service
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