Dil Jo Bhi Kahey which actor-writer-producer Romesh Sharma filmed in Mauritius has two “newcomers” Romesh Sharma makes his debut as director and the film launches his son Karan as a hero. Based in Mauritius, the film sounds like a typical Hindi masala movie. It’s a cross-culture romance with a happy ending. While some footage was canned in Stockholm, the post-production is likely to be completed in Mumbai.

The film took shape after Manmohan Shetty of Entertainment One happened to see episodes of the French serial C’est La Vie that Romesh Sharma had made for Mauritius TV. He told Sharma to make it into a film but warned that it would work only if Amitabh Bachchan agreed to play the role of Shekhar Sinha, the father. A close friend of Mr Bachchan, Sharma agreed. Bachchan Senior had no hesitation about essaying the role. He accepted it as a gesture for a friend.

The next day we’re at the Grand Bassin in South Mauritius. Amitabh Bachchan and Karan Sharma are atop a hillock with a valley as a backdrop. There’s a song being picturised. The father’s just caught his son romancing an English girl, quizzes him about her and tells him to go for his dreams.

The music stops and as the clouds blank out the sun, Romesh Sharma (the story-screenplay-dialogue are also his) takes time off to tell us that his film is about “diverse cultures that blend like a rainbow.” He informs that Indians settled abroad are often more traditional than those who’ve lived all their lives in India.

The girl the father-son duo is referring to is Annabelle Wallis who plays Sophie Besson. A charming 20-year-old, Annabelle says shooting for the film has been a good experience. She’s had to tame her wild side though to portray the shy girl that audiences could relate to in the film. “As soon as I was selected for this film, I went and got hold of lots of DVDs of Hindi films to get a feel of things. When I saw Aishwarya Rai on screen, I thought if I could look like her I’d be fine,” she dimples.

What she found most difficult to handle wasn’t draping herself in a sari. “It made me look elegant and feminine. Karan says even the smartest of men get lost in the seven folds of a sari.” What she found nerve-wracking was the fact that she had to shed so many tears in the film. “I was upset for days after doing those scenes and at times even felt sorry for myself for having to do them, Annabelle states. They took me to places I didn’t want to go and left me unbalanced.”

Brightening up, she says, “I’ve seen lots of dances in your films and I can dance too but no one has asked me so far. I can’t wait to break into a dance in front of the camera.”

It’s amusing to hear her call Amitabh Bachchan a friend. Sheepishly, she says, “When I first came here I didn’t know he’s a legend.” However, co-star Karan was in awe of his father’s friend. “Sharing a frame with him is an amazing experience,” he gushes. Karan admits he was touched when Abhishek Bachchan called with brotherly advice about what he’d have to go through on the sets. While he’s still discovering much about himself and his capabilities, Karan says he’s keen to work with directors like Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ram Gopal Varma.

Amitabh Bachchan and Revathy play Karan’s parents in the film. While the father is the liberal sort, the mother is conservative. Of course she comes around for the mandatory happy ending. Revathy considers acting a holiday after her recent stint as director of Phir Milenge. Bhumika Chawla’s role gives the film an unusual twist. And no, it’s not a love triangle.

Source: Filmfare