ON THE SETS OF
KHUBSOORAT

“Khubsoorat is my kind of film,''
Another Khubsoorat was made about a decade ago by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and is still remembered for Rekha's heart-warming performance. This Khubsoorat, Chhel insists, is very different. For one, the hero’s role is eqally important. The film though is again about a joint family. And Chhel maintains that his extended parivar is very real. There could be a family just like this one in your neighbourhood, he points out. “In that sense, it’s a very ‘real’story, “ says the writer-director.

Anjan Srivastava, Farida Jalal, Om Puri, Ashok Saraf, Supriya Pilgaonkar, Jatin Kanakia, Himani Shivpuri and model Heena Kureshi are the members of this family. There’s also a quiet, motherless child (Urmila Matondkar) who grows up within the folds of the family, largely ignored and evoking little interest. However, the girl without any of them realising it, is God-sent. She is forver helping everyone,easing their work load. “I’ve choosen the title Khubsoorat for my film because it very effectively describes the girl’s character,” confides Chhel. “She’s a simple, homely girl, who after years of neglect has almost convinced herself that she’s a very ordinary girl-next-door who is no great looker. Things change after a dashing young man (Sanjay Dutt) walks into her home and heart and dins it into her head that she’s special, a really beautiful lady.” He gets her a very glamorous outfit and convinces her to wear it and accompany him to the beach where he has had a huge mirror installed, you’re informed. Urmila takes a hesitant peek at herself and is stunned by what she sees. Facing her is a real beauty. That is the turning point of the film. The point when Urmila’s transformation begins.

From the very first day of shooting, Chhel had taken pains to ensure that Urmila is presented very differently in his film. He wanted a complete metamorphosis. “Till today you’ve seen her looking very sensual. Now for the first time, you’ll see a different Urmila. A simple,sober girl who for all her simplicity still manages to look stunning and after her transformation, she really turns very glamorous,” Chhel says excitedly.

How would he describe Sanjay’s role? “Sanjay is neither sophisticated nor too sober. He is a tapori but a very different kind of tapori. Wait and watch, “ Chel flashes an enigmatic smile.

Chel was an assistant directer when he started writing for films. Rangeela was the first film for which he penned the dialogue followed by Kabhi Haan Kabhi Na, the very successful Yes Boss and the surprise disaster Daud. The script and the dialogue of Khubsoorat have been written by him. “You could call it my baby,” he agrees.

Khubsoorat is almost 50 per cent complete and is being planned as a Diwali release. Gulzar has written the lyrics of the film and Chhel insists the film will have some of the best numbers of Gulzar’s career. “And that’s Gulzar sahab’s opinion too,” he adds.