“I know exactly what is going to happen…my films are going to be hits…one after the other….producers & directors will be chasing me….I,ll sign bigger films….with all the big heroines….I’ll be loved….and hated….admired….and criticized….more hits…I,ll buy a sea-facing bungalow…several big cars…become a producer….produce my own films….maybe even direct!”
All that was more than a decade ago. But I did,nt say it. Though I wish I had, because it all came true. They were the words of a man who had an uncanny sense of where he was destined to go. Another time he said to me: “ There is a lot I have to claim from this city….a lot I have to get out of it…in fact …everything!” And he did get it. He got it all. He is Shahrukh Khan. Some call him King Khan, some Badshah of Bollywood and others SRK.
I knew he was special from the moment I first saw him. He was silent and intense. More intense than any one I had met before or since. But after that first time, he was never silent again. Yes, Shahrukh loves to talk. About himself, his plans, his films, his people, about anything. He can talk non stop for eternity. And he can mesmerize anyone into listening for an eternity too. He has that quality. But that night he was silent.
It was a November night in Darjeeling, Hotel New Elgin. I was shooting for my debut film ‘Chor aur Chaand’ and Aziz Mirza was there for ‘Raju ban gaya..’.
As we shared the same hotel, Aziz (whom I knew since I was a teenager, apprentice to my Dad who was directing a film in which Aziz was the leading man.) suggested we dine together. Soon we were joined by Shahrukh and Gauri, who recently married, looked more like a cute, honeymooning couple. Introductions over, Aziz began insisting I narrate the climax of my film to him, as he had heard much about how good it was. I obliged and right through the narration, I felt Shahrukh’s eyes on me, and saw him listening with rapt attention whenever I glanced at him.
Some time later, when I signed him for my own film ‘Jaadu’, he told me that he agreed to the project because I had made an impression on him while narrating the climax that night. ( Incidentally that climax which never saw the light of the day, was to become a casualty of film industry politics, as was most of that film, and was sacrificed in favour of a weak and clichéd version.) I never told him this, but I had also made a decision that same night, to cast him in ‘Jaadu’, though at that point he did,nt have a single release to his credit, and I had only fleetingly watched him in the T.V. Series ‘Fauji’. But I knew I was looking at someone exceptional, in many ways, in fact in every way. even.without a word having been exchanged between us…
Working with Shahrukh subsequently, was memorable and holds a treasure trove of fine moments..of that another time. If anything, my faith in him stands vindicated today.
“….but I always want to be a star. The day I cease to be one, the day people don’t want me anymore….I don’t think I,ll be able to take it……”
Honestly, I don’t think I will be able to take it either..I had shared his dream and vision… the boy with that unforgettable, intense, unflinching, passionate gaze, was born to be a star and forever remain one.
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3 comments:
Hiya Pavan,
It's a bit of a coincidence that I found this site whilst listening to "Tere Bin Kahin Jiyara Laage Na"; a track initially from the T-series music bank that was later allocated to your film Chor Aur Chand.
I was just a kid when the soundtrack was released, but I do vaguely remember the songs of Chor Aur Chand. But as the years went on I became a fan of music directors Nikhil-Vinay and came across the brilliant and evergreen soundtrack of Chor Aur Chand.
I've also got the soundtrack of Jaadu, which too some brilliant tracks. I think the soundtrack should be re-recorded with the same compositions and singers, re-packaged and re-released; songs like that are hard to come by nowadays... melody has vanished. But, I did realise that in spite of the soundtrack of Jaadu being credited to Nikhil-Vinay, I can guarantee that at least one track had been composed by Anu Malik: "Aaj Akele Main Hum Dono Mile Hai Pehli Baar".
Anyway, I know that you've signed Pritam for Bhram...any chance of signing Nikhil or Vinay (now that they've split) for any forthcoming projects?
Hello sir,
I saw u first time even first time i heard ur name....and really i am very impressed.
really i like your confidance.
i want to be a director...and aapke life ko padhkar aisa laga ki aapse bahot kuchh sikh sakta hoon.......
gar aapki manzori ho to.
gar nahi hai fir bhi aapne deewaana bana liya.
wish ou a very happy and sucessful life.
thank you.
prem sagar
Hi pavan
Is there a way to locate the soundtracks of all your Hiba Films releases?
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