By Fuad Omar
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham is undoubtedly one of the biggest films of Indian
cinema, and the film is accompanied by a behind-the-scenes 'Making of' book
written by veteran journalist Niranjan Iyengar. On Sunday 9th December there
was a book launch for one of the most anticipated texts in recent times,
held at the Grand Maratha hotel in Andheri East, Mumbai. I had the pleasure
of attending what was a glitzy evening full of pride and smiles. Read on for
the lowdown.
When I received my invite to the book launch it finally sunk in that
Niranjan, a good friend, superb writer and fellow journalist, had finally
done it and come out with his first book. The invites were small pocket
sized replications of the book cover, which opened to say 'Don't Judge a
Book by it's Cover', and then instructing the invitee where to be and when.
An aptly teasing invitation to what is a very good book's launch, that
covers in depth and in interesting detail - the making of the most
talked-about film of recent times.
The Grand Maratha is a relatively new hotel in Mumbai, but there was no
trouble finding it given it's towering presence and brightly lit fountain as
I arrived at the gates. I was early and found many of the team who have made
the magical experience that is Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham bustling around
trying to get the set up right and absolutely precise at breakneck speed. In
the lobby, I spotted the film's associate director Nikhil Advani, dressed in an
orange jacket, a tee and denims, casually walking around with his trademark
forlorn look, but seeming surprisingly less stressed than usual. I throw a
smile his way and he shakes his head, following with the baritone bellow of
"Fuaaaad! What's up dude!" making me realise things must be going to plan
for the brilliant taskmaster who is as passionate about perfection on
celluloid as he is in events, because I've caught him in a rare light mood.
I joke about his outfit and ask when he'll get ready to which he cracks a
witty retort, and disappears to dress, leaving me to be devoured by those
trying to register who has and has not arrived.
Nikhil Advani was a prominent presence in the making of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,
Mohabbatein and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, and having seen him at work on the
sets I am proud to say his growth in his field over the past few years is
staggering. He is working towards his directorial debut sometime next year
and given his methodical approach to filmmaking, his keen eye for detail and
ability to translate a vision to reality, coupled with his understanding of
the medium that is cinema, he is without a doubt a filmmaker to watch for.
But tonight, he's busy making sure everything goes perfectly.
The lobby is like a museum hosting huge pictures from the film, lit from the
ground up, and inside the main hall the colour scheme is as it is on the
hoardings - a dignified red and black, with tables laid out as far as the
eye can see, a podium at the centre front and a screen to the left.
As guests saunter in, I spot Ayesha Monani, who has clicked the pictures
from behind the scenes of the film and has provided the visual delights of
the book. She's dressed casual and greets me with a warm hug, before
divulging she's in no way prepared to go on stage and has had a nerve
wracking journey to the hotel with people constantly asking her what she's
going to say on stage. That too when she wasn't even expecting to go on
stage. Her pictures are truly slices of moments that made the film but aren'
t up on the big screen to see, and so the clamour for her work is
understandably fanatical. Moments later, Karan Johar, the whizkid director
who has successfully stolen hearts time and again through his visions on
celluloid, appears in a light lilac coloured formal jacket and white shirt,
beaming at the many familiar faces that surround him. His father Yash Johar,
a thorough gentleman, greets everyone in his own unique way. Myself with a
handshake, co-screenplay writer Sheena Parikh with a graceful namaste and
Ayesha with a bear hug that succeeds in calming her nerves some. He has been
the resilient support during every filmmaking moment of his son's film and
tonight he's no less. Niranjan walks out in a black jacket, trousers and a
blue shirt looking the smartest I have ever seen him. Quite a difference
from the woolly hats and overbearing coats that draped his shivering soul in
the cold mornings of the London shoots. He is extremely happy and greets
everyone with a smile and a 'thanks for coming', trying not to appear
nervous. As he meets the many outside I venture in with Ayesha and meet his
proud parents inside, who are full of pride in their son and his
achievements, talking of how they are so happy on this joyous occasion. His
mother's eyes sparkle as she speaks, with floodgates of tears glistening in
the dimmed light, waiting to flow when resistance gives way.
Around 8pm everyone is inside and the ceremony begins with Karan showing
everyone a glimpse of his film and then inviting Niranjan to the stage.
Niranjan speaks with an emotional tinge in his voice, unable to fathom this
is his day, and gives a heart warming speech that tells how happy he is to
have been given the opportunity to write this book and how proud he is of
the result.
"The biggest challenge of this book was to try to bring together and
represent all the interactions, the scenes, the emotions and technical
processes that had gone on during the filmmaking process. What I really
wanted to do was to try and show the way Karan thinks and bring across what
is going on in his mind, and I hope when you read the book you feel you know
a little more about Karan Johar than when you started," he said.
A brief Q and A session followed when the two spoke of the book and it's
purpose. Summing things up neatly when asked if his every film would now be
accompanied by a book, Karan replied:
"I don't think every film warrants a book, but this one did. Simply because
of it's star cast and that so many generations were coming together on
celluloid, the fact that Mr and Mrs Bachchan were returning as an on-screen
couple after eighteen years, the fact that this will probably be one of the
last pairings of Shah Rukh and Kajol, the romantic couple of the nineties on
celluloid again, the fact that Hrithik and Kareena were sharing the same
creative space as such a huge cast, I think all these moments deserved to be
in the book. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham is a film that has a lot of material
that deserves to be archived and that is why I feel it warrants a book like
this."
An audio-visual followed which showed moments of filmmaking in motion
side-by-side with their book incarnation, then from behind a cloud of smoke
and the backdrop that was the now familiar family of the film stepped out
from the picture frame: Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan,
Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor, dressed in the familiar red and black
outfits that don the hoardings and promotional material.
Karan came on stage and lost in the midst of smoke while being shot at with
photographers' flashes said: "This is my family of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
who need no introduction. I now call upon my parents to bring the first copy
of the book and hand it over to the head of our cast, Mr Bachchan and
release the book officially today."
Yash and Hiroo Johar walked gracefully on stage and presented the book to
Amitabh, who opened it, as Niranjan stood beside the family, eagerly
awaiting this moment, his family clapping from their table with as much
energy as possible, their faces lit with pride at their son's first book
release, embellishing the very core essence of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham,
which is all about loving and pleasing your parents.
The cast then spoke on the book and the making of the film, headed by
Amitabh Bachchan who began by thanking Yash and Karan Johar for the film and
expressed his joy during the shooting of this movie, going on to say:
"I have my own apprehensions about the film and really am concerned about my
well-being. In this film I turn out Mr Shah Rukh Khan from my house, I get
annoyed with my wife Jaya, I consider Kajol to be an outcast, I don't talk
at all to Kareena and worst of all I actually give Hrithik a whack on his
face! I don't know what'll happen to me after the release of this film, but
hopefully you'll all take care of that," he said to a rapturous applause and
peals of laughter.
Jaya then said: "Everyone asks me why I did a film when there are so many
stars in it, what would I have to do in it? I'm going to answer this
question now so please don't keep asking me. First of all I cannot say no to
Karan, and secondly when the story was narrated to me I felt that if after
Sholay for the first time such a big film is being made, I should be a part
of it."
Shah Rukh Khan followed with: "I'd like to thank Karan and his family who
are for me my real family, as well as the on-screen family too, even though
I was thrown out of their house. It was pleasurable to work with each and
every one in this film. Kareena, who I'm sure no one would want as a saali,
and least of all me, after having done 'sexy' Asoka with her, and Hrithik,
who is marvellous. He's the only one who looks good even without all this
smoke! And then there's of course Kajol, a wonderful actress and dear
friend, who couldn't make it here today because she's not well."
Hrithik was signed for Kabhi Khushi... before Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai happened and
he became a star. Karan said a few brief words at how proud he was of
Hrithik and his work and how hardworking he was, leading Hrithik to say
about the film:
"I can't express how great it feels to be part of this film and experience.
I remember when I was a child and dreamt of being an actor, and tonight I'm
standing on the same platform as greats such as Mr Bachchan and Mr Shah Rukh
Khan, who are legends in their own right - it really doesn't get any better
than this. I thank Yash Uncle and Karan for making my dream come true."
Kareena's introduction fits both her on-screen character as well as her
off-screen persona, as Karan enthused:
"She's the entertainment of my film, she's mad and completely cracked but
what to do, we all love her dearly and I know I can't do without her.
Kareena Kapoor who plays Pooja and becomes 'Poo' in the film."
Kareena dressed in red smiled as she looked emotionally towards Niranjan and
said:
"Firstly I'd like to congratulate my dear friend Niranjan who I've known
since I was nine years old, I'm truly happy for you Niranjan! I then want to
thank Karan for casting me in this film, Yash Uncle for being the wonderful
producer he is and I am really proud to be a part of the family that is
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham."
Karan then thanked everyone for coming and Niranjan stood proudly absorbing
the night he had his first book released. Dinner was then served and in
dashed Karisma Kapoor, a long-standing friend of Niranjan with her mother
rushing through the crowd trying to find the person she had come to
congratulate. Dressed in white she made her way to him and gave him a tight
hug exclaiming how happy she was for her friend, who was as surprised to see
her and overjoyed.
The evening went on as Niranjan mingled with all who came and was a beacon
of light, glowing every time someone congratulated him. Ayesha attempted to
stay out of the limelight but as soon as someone recognised her she too was
bombarded with compliments. Karan spoke about his film and gave his film's
making and Niranjan's first book a breathtaking launch lacking in no
department. As I left the Grand Maratha for another appointment, I couldn't
help but turn back and smile because I could feel the happiness on the
writer's face as his first book was published, and on everyone associated
with the film's pride in the product that was launched today. And now there'
s even more reason to celebrate: The Making of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham has
sold out on advance orders alone and is already in its second printing.
The book is available at all good bookshops, published by India Book House
Ltd, ISBN no: 8175083387 and priced £20.
Fuad Omar.
Competition:
As a Special Competition to Asiangigs.com surfers, we are giving away some
Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan autographs! To enter all you have to do is
tell us the name of ShahRukh's and Hrithik's characters in the film Kabhi
Khushi Kabhie Gham. Answers by email only.
Deadline for this competition is January 10th 2002...
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all the readers!
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