Movie producer buys film rights of short story

Mumbai, Nov 26 (IANS) Ajay Devgn starrer 'Atithi Tum Kab Jaaoge?' is based on noted satirist Sharad Joshi's short story. To avoid any copyright problem, the maker of the film has bought film rights of the story.

Joshi's story is found in Class IX textbooks as a part of the CBSE Hindi curriculum.

'Though it's just a short story of a few hundred words, we didn't want to take any chances. To avoid any controversy, we approached his daughter and bought rights for the story,' Kumar Mangat, producer of 'Atithi Tum Kab Jaaoge?', told IANS.

The story is about an unwanted guest, Paresh Rawal, who enters the household of a married couple, played by Ajay and Konkona Sen Sharma, and lives for a long time by continuously extending his stay. So much so that the couple is exasperated and starts praying for his exit.

'With all due respect to the man (Joshi), I must add that our film is an entirely new take and just has a basic thread of an individual extending his stay as a guest in a married couple's home,' said Mangat, who had earlier produced films like 'Omkara', 'Sunday' and 'No Smoking'.

Joshi isn't a new name to those who have followed Hindi literature. Other than writing daily columns for newspapers, books and short stories, he has also been the man behind TV serials like 'Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi' and 'Vikram Aur Vetal'.

He has also written dialogues for movies like 'Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin' (1991), 'Chhoti Si Baat', 'Naam' (1986) and 'Chameli Ki Shaadi' (1986).

Currently, the shooting of 'Atithi Tum Kab Jaaoge?' is in full swing. It's being directed by Ashwani Dheer and Mangat is quite confident that he will do justice to the laugh riot.

'Some people who are unaware of the economics of filmmaking believe that 'One Two Three' hadn't worked at the box office. However, ask any trade analyst and he will confirm that the film was a success.

'I have complete faith in the abilities of Ashwani and am backing him quite strongly. The way he has written 'Atithi...' and is giving it shape, I can foresee good results yet again', he said.

The film is also special for Mangat since it's the maiden production of his daughter Amita Pathak who made her acting debut with 'Haal E Dil'.

'Her acting career is still on and she is in talks with two-three filmmakers. But in the meanwhile, she also wanted to learn film making and expressed her desire to produce 'Atithi Tum Kab Jaaoge?' I am there for all the support but the film would be primarily her baby,' said Mangat.

'Atithi Tum Kab Jaaoge?' is set for Feb 26 release.