Shahid Or Ranbir In Hansal Mehta's Film - Article

Hansal Mehta to make a film on slain lawyer Shahid Azmi

By: Subhash K Jha Date: 2010-02-19 Place: Mumbai

Director wants either Ranbir or Shahid to play the protagonist

Each time there is a big natural disaster, calamity or crime story, some filmmaker (mostly the Bhatts) announce that they are making a film on the subject. Many of these films never materialise.
Hansal Mehta, who started his career as a director with a film on legalese (called Jayate), now wants to make another film entitled Jayate on the slain defense lawyer Shahid Azmi.



Early beginnings
Interestingly, Hansal has been researching on the defense lawyer from long before he was slain. He says, "I got interested in Shahid when I was researching for my first film Jayate. I got to know that at the age of 16, Shahid was accused of conspiracy against the State and arrested. He spent 5-6 years in Tihar jail. It's during his years as a Tihar inmate that Shahid became interested in the legal system and in defending the indefensible." Mehta says he has already completed a major apart of his scripting and intends to shoot by year-end.

In defense

Hansal mehta

Adds Hansal, "I plan to meet Shahid's family members as soon as they're out of mourning. I want to assure them that I'm not making this film to grab headlines. I was fascinated by his life from the time I got to know he spent years in jail practising to be a defense lawyer."

Hansal may have to defend himself against political parties in Maharashtra, which may describe him as a Paki-lover. Protests the doughty filmmaker, "But I see no reason to be hostile to Pakistan or Muslims. My wife is a Muslim and my two daughters Kimaya and Rihanna have kept their mother's name Hussain.

I think the worst thing we as filmmakers can do, are, to surrender to these forces. Come what may I'm determined to go ahead with my film on Shahid Azmi. His story must be told. Shahid was doing a thankless job. I want to understand his motivations."

Hansal wants to sign either Shahid Kapoor or Ranbir Kapoor to play Shahid, "They can make the transition from the age of 16 to until his death." The question is, would these mainstream actors be willing to play such a controversial character?

Films inspired by Crime and Calamities

The '93 Mumbai riots: Bombay '93 serial Bombay bomb blasts: Black Friday Mumbai 7/11 train bombings: A Wednesday, Mumbai Meri Jaan Inspired by the 26/7 floods - Tum Mile The cricket betting controversy - Jannat The Gujarat riots - Firaaq, Parzania Crime & Underworld in Mumbai - Satya /Company/ D /Risk 1999 plane hijacking - Zameen

U r right, I was thinking of his name, but his mom's name didn't come in my mind, but the 2nd name is from father, anyway, it would suite Shahid much more I think............