Joint family does not have to be a proof of love
It is a hot day on the sets of Vashu Bhagnani’s Om Jai Jagdish in Juhu, behind Hotel Horizon. The sea-facing set of an old bungalow—Waheeda Rehman and her three sons, Anil Kapoor, Fardeen Khan and Abhishek Bachchan live in it—is specially constructed for a month-long schedule.

Today, they are shooting a dramatic scene between Rehman and her youngest son, Bachchan.

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After a few quick rehearsals, both are ready for a take. For a debutant director, Anupam Kher is unusually composed. “I’ve learnt from directors like Yash Chopra that the best way to make a film is to enjoy the process. That’s what I’m doing. Eventually, all art form is reflective, you give good vibrations, you receive good vibrations,” he laughs as he gets ready to pan the next shot.

Waheeda Rehman is drying soiled towels on the balcony banister, talking about a proposal for her elder son, Anil Kapoor. “He will like the girl, won’t he?” she asks Abhishek. “Of course, he will...” Abhishek tells his mother, following her around the room, actually distracted with his own agenda of extracting more pocket money from her. She isn’t amused. “But didn’t I give it to you just some days ago,” she asks exasperatedly. “No, that was last month...” Abhishek defends himself in his usual charm. “Great,” shouts Anupam Kher from the other room and everyone moves to the next venue.

While the camera unit gets ready with the lighting, everyone sits on the sofa and chats. Anupam briefs Abhishek a little more on his character. “You have to be less excited, more natural...” As for Waheeda Rehman, Kher’s only grouse is that she is too regal looking. “My character has to be middle-class and Waheedaji has an inherent sophistication about her.” Rehman doesn’t agree. “I was born and have remained middle-class. I don’t know why people have these perceptions about me. Raj Kapoor said I never looked like a prostitute, Asit Sen said I looked dignified even when I didn’t have to and now you. I can look any part provided the costume and the ambience are appropriate. If you give me a crumpled, simple saree, I’ll look middle class.” Anupam gets up instantly, “you can’t wear crumpled sarees, please don’t get so realistic. I’m making a commercial film, an entertainer. I’ve to think of my producer too.” Everyone laughs and it is time for the next shot.

Work moves smoothly and soon it is time for tea break. Anupam’s man-Friday Dattu serves everyone tea and it is time to look at some pictures. Abhishek runs through the album and says that the film has a good feeling about it. “Despite such a big star-cast, there is no feeling of rivalry. There is a feeling of camaraderi. It’s very important that artistes feel secure while working...”

There are more visitors on the sets. Anupam Kher’s wife, Kiron Kher and friend, Rajiv Shukla, journalist and Rajya Sabha members, Srishti Behl of Rose Movies, who has come to discuss some dates with Abhishek. As Abhishek disappears in his van for a dress change and it is pack-up time for Waheeda Rehman. I spend some quiet moments with Anupam reflecting on his film. “Usually, Hindi cinema projects Utopian families, but this is not a reality of urban India and it is about time we accept it. Unlike Sooraj Barjatya, who portrays idealistic families, my film is about pragmatic families. I want to say that bonding does not necessarily mean living together. Joint family does not have to be a proof of love. Nuclear family is not a social evil and we should be mature enough to rise above the stigma.”

What made you cast Waheeda Rehman in your film? “It’s been my dream to work with her till as long as I can remember. And when she agreed to do the film, I was on cloud nine. You won’t believe this but when she leaves messages on my mobile, I’m excited to just listen to her voice. The fascination will take a long time to fade,” he says blushingly. What about the rest of the cast? “Anil is a friend and I know I could count on his support. Abhishek is also a friend and my student, besides I always wanted to direct him. And Fardeen because he suits the part. The heroines also, because they suit their part.”

Outside, the sun has set into the sea. Abhishek has changed and returned, ready to do a scene with Om Puri who is a tenant of Waheeda Rehman and runs a flower shop outside the bungalow. He has been a friend of the family for years and a quiet support in times of crisis. During the scene, Abhishek has to gallop into the flower shop, pick up a rose, reprimand Om Puri’s extraordinary English and vanish. The shot is okayed in one take. Sitting amidst us and lighting a cigarette, Puri tells us that Anupam Kher has given an unusual trait to his character by making him speak in English. “Usually whenever an actor plays a Muslim, they make him speak in chaste Urdu. Instead, I’m made to speak very original English. This makes my character so interesting.” Anupam listens attentively. “I wanted to break the cliche.” Om Puri intercepts. “For an actor to work with an actor-director is an asset. He knows what the actor is going through and that is a very reassuring feeling. It makes you feel you are not alone. There is someone else also suffering with you.”

—Bhawana Somaaya