SHALINI SAKSENA speaks with Shashie Verma about his role in Bala and why he is all praise for Ayushmann Khurrana
How did you become a screenwriter?
When we got the story for Shorgul — the story belongs to IRS in the backdrop of the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots; it was directed by Pranav Kumar Singh. The story, to begin with went to another writer. He wrote a detailed account of it; they thought it was apt for the film. When I got the script, I thought it was the worst that I had come across. I took the task upon myself and decided to complete the job and became a screenwriter.
You are all praise for Ayushmann Khurrana.
If I praise him, people will say that I am biased. He is a very accomplished actor. The kind of films that he chooses makes him a star. Professionally he is very many years junior to me. He is very down to earth. He cooperates with everyone on the sets; that makes him very professional. One can learn from him. I have learnt a lot from him.
How was the atmosphere on the sets?
Director Amar Kaushik is from theatre. He believes in improvising as he went. He believes in delivering punch lines at the right time. And then the kind of actors we had — Javed Jaffrey (plays Bachchan Bhaiya) and Abhishek Banerjee plays Ramu — they are all accomplished actors. There was bound to be lots of fun. There was light atmosphere. Also, Amar gave us lots of freedom to improvise our scenes.
What is your role in the film?
The film is about a person who is loosing hair. Even though my role is not very big, I had plenty of laughs. I play the doctor who is bald, that is very interesting.
Are you writing a script?
I just wrote a web series for Endomol. Before that I wrote two scripts for them as well. I have also in the process of putting things in place for a movie that I am set to direct next year.
You did your last move in 2016. What was keeping you busy?
These last three I was busy doing research on the crime in Bihar. I have to write a detailed script for a production house. My brother, Kunal, who is the Editor of Arya Samaj, and I have been penning down the story AK-47 Muzaffarpur. The script is more or less complete. Hopefully, things will go on the floor next year.
You acted in a web series. What is about?
I have two. I did Flesh, on human trafficking with Swara Bhasker for Eros. I am also doing web series for TVF called Panchayat. To be aired on Amazon Prime. It is a comedy satire that is village-based. It has a stellar castcast like Neena (Gupta) and Raghuveer (Yadav). It is a great experience to work with them.
What made you venture into digital space?
The digital space has some very good content these days. I have professional degree in theatre. The digital space is not a place where you just learn your lines and reciting them. Over the years, I have refused many projects.
Web series offiers me an option to showcase my talent. I also do ads that keeps me happy profesionally and financially.
