For friend’s sake Namita Nivas
Posted online: Feb 07, 2008 at 1559 hrs

: Brahmchari was where they met as kids. That was in 1966 and today 40 years later, their friendship continues as Sachin and Junior Mehmood come together for the Marathi film Adla Badli
“We were nine-year old kids when we did the Shammi Kapoor-starrer Brahmchari, and have done about 15 films together as child artistes,” says Sachin adding that as grown ups, they featured only in Geet Gaata Chal and Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se together. Though they went different ways, they were bond by one factor and that was films.

It was always Jr Mehmood’s dream to direct a film with Sachin one day. And he could materialise the dream only now. After having produced, directed and distributed three Marathi films; Maskri, Karmyog and Tulas Aali Ghara, Jr Mehmood one day mentioned to his pal about making another film. “I would always tell Sachin that since he is a ‘chikna teri yahaan baat ban jayegi.’ And see how true it turned out to be. When I wanted to make a film, like always I turned to my best buddy and like always he came to my rescue. He has been my great support and I have to say that he has not only acted in my film but has helped me a great deal. There were times when I was very tense and would ask him to take over the reins. So many scenes in Adla Badli have been directed by Sachin,” says Jr Mehmood who also goes on to say that he is indebted to his dost. “I had this subject in mind since many years and when I decided to make it, Ashok Saraf met with an unfortunate accident and I decided to shelve the project. When Jr, my childhood mitra came to me, I suggested that we make a film on that subject and today Adla Badli is awaiting release in Mumbai having opened recently in other parts of Maharashtra,” smiles Sachin who plays the main lead alongwith Ashok Saraf. This tremendously successful pair has about 15 hits to their credit and Navra Maza Navsacha in 2005 was their last film together.

Adla Badli deals with the clash between the rich and the poor and what happens when their roles are reversed. Sachin promises it will be an entertainer for the masses as it has been presented in a lighter vein.

Presently while Sachin is awaiting the release of Man Pakhru Pakhru in February and is producing and directing Aamhi Satpute that is due for release in April, Jr Mehmood is happy with the response Adla Badli has got all over Maharashtra and has plans to make a Hindi film soon. “Meanwhile we are awaiting for a positive response in Mumbai when the film releases here. We are hoping that it hits the theatres on February 22,” concludes Jr Mehmood.