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The personal touch makes such a difference. It was like the good old days when Ravi and Renu Chopra had a trial show of Bhoothnath. The famous BR Films’ hospitality ensured that interval time was like a mini dinner party. Instead of impersonal canteen fare (a Yashraj speciality), the BR branch had laid out tables which had it all — from sandwiches and hot stuffed parathas (made on the spot), keema-pao, chicken or alu rolls (all home made) to light snacks like samosas, pakoras, batata vada and packets of freshly made popcorn, it was like a return to the time when some filmland families vied with each other to be the best hosts in town. It used to be a close finish between Raj Kapoor and BR Chopra in the 70s, but it is only BR that is carrying on the tradition to this today. Even brother Yash Chopra’s trials are not fun family affairs, perhaps because there is no woman in that parivar who’s ready to bustle around and play host of the show. A bit wistful really because Yash himself has such a Punjabi fondness for food that artistes like Lara Dutta and Preity would be amazed at the enthusiasm he’d shower on the daily menu while shooting for a Yashraj Film. After Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Lara Dutta finger-licked happily, “We’d barely finish a huge, sumptuous dinner when Yash Uncle would enthusiastically plan parathas for breakfast!”
The warm, delightful Bhoothnath (which could do with a bit of trimming though) comes at the right time when schools have closed and families are looking for entertainment. The right time is like a see-saw. Yashraj has just delivered a turkey like Tashan while older brother BR has come up with a sweet, ‘family film’ which has just a dab of Baghban in it. Can’t help feeling it’s the beginning of better times for BR Films which is in the reckoning once again.
By the way, thank God, Pankaj Kapur turned it down. As everybody now knows, the script of Bhoothnath had gone around a bit and had seen a fair amount of rejection before Ravi Chopra, the last word in BR Films, picked it up. Shahid’s dad, Pankaj had read the script at one stage and said, nyet to writer-director Vivek Sharma. Which is just as well, for Pankaj as Bhoothnath would’ve given an arthouse, The Blue Umbrella feel to the film whereas Amitabh Bachchan brings a distinct commercial advantage to the whole enterprise.
Sometimes, things just fall into place. As it did for Vivek Sharma. Once Ravi Chopra took Bhoothnath under his banner, Amitabh Bachchan (with whom both the BR and Yash Chopra families have a close equation) was only a phone call away. With AB on board, the simple, linear story got bigger and better, especially since the actor is so endearing as the restless ghost who befriends a little boy.
And then there is the cherry on top — Shah Rukh Khan in his third special appearance this year. After lending his voice to friend Samar Khan’s Shaurya and breaking into an item number for Rakesh Roshan’s Krrazy 4, the small, friendly Bhoothnath gets a boost with the star’s super presence as Juhi Chawla’s husband. Shah Rukh’s role is spaced out well, so he’s there in spurts and not just in one scene.
Of course, Shah Rukh Khan did it purely for director Vivek who once assisted Aziz Mirza. That’s how Juhi and Shah Rukh know the young director and were willing to be a part of his debut film.
But the inside info is that Shah Rukh Khan refused to take even a rupee from producer Ravi Chopra, arguing, ‘I’m a guest in this film and like a guest I’ll eat with you. But guests don’t take money’. Shah Rukh is hardly an eater, by the way.
If not money, then a Bentley, said Ravi Chopra who was all set to gift the actor a costly new car. But Shah Rukh Khan turned down the Bentley too. Last heard, he has said, ‘Let the film do well and then we’ll see’.
As a parting shot, what did you think of Shah Rukh’s scenes with Juhi? Mmm, Gauri ain’t gonna like this but the chemistry between Khan and Chawla still crackles. And have you noticed how Gauri and Juhi still avoid each other? It’s like musical chairs at the IPL matches. On the days that Juhi watches the match, Gauri isn’t around. And when Gauri makes an appearance, Juhi stays away!
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