Why Aftab opted for Aloo Chaat

Aftab Shivdasani seems to be the only veteran in this group of debutantes. That is probably the reason why the actor showed up almost two hours late for the Aloo Chaat event. Repeated phone calls and messages inform us that the actor is on his way back from Cape Town and the Emirates flight has been delayed. So the producer Anuj Saxena, the director Robby Grewal and the lead actress Aamna Shariff are all waiting patiently.

Finally, Aftab strolls in two hours late but thankfully he's looking cheerful and relaxed. (Doesn't look like he just stepped off the flight) Anyway, as though to reassure the waiting audience he's really tired a mug of hot tea or coffee is handed to him as soon as he settles down. But once he takes the mike and apologises profusely you find it a little tough to stay annoyed. The famous dimples are very much in evidence and the man himself is oozing charm. But he does sport a message T-shirt which says 'I don't want to be famous. I really would like some money.' Is that Aftab's way of saying his producer hasn't paid him? We wonder...

Robby Grewal speaks about his film but he doesn't say or give away much about either the plot or the storyline. He only mentions, "This is a fun film, you can even say it's a funny film but within the realistic genre. There's no over-the-top humour or in-your-face slapstick comedy. Beyond that I don't want to say much. We're confident we have done our best and it's for you to decide."

This seems to be the year for debutantes from the small screen. It started with Prachi Desai in Rock On and now it's Aamna Shariff in Aloo Chat. Aamna only mentions, "I took up this role because I could relate to it. And I'm confident every girl in the audience will be able to identify with Aamna."

Aftab speaks about how he almost turned down the film. It seems the title was a big put-off. But once he heard the story, "I was confident the film would be a success."

The film which has been in the making for almost six months is finally complete. The producers are hoping for a year-end release. Guess if the film succeeds it will set in a new trend for film titles. So maybe 2009 will see a spate of films like 'Sev Puri' and 'Pav Bhaji' etc.