Today the Indian Film Industry is by far the biggest pastime India has to offer, and for many reasons at that. It’s not only a pastime, rather a legend – it has brought us some of the finest personas, tales, and romances known to man.
However, once upon a time, there was an industry so much more than what it is today. There was an industry flooded with passion, emotion, and fervor. There was a fraternity draped with exquisite beauty, authentic reality, and staunch ingenuity. And more importantly, there was a cinematic world free from the burden of global branding, persuasive endorsements, and sleazy fashion parades. It was the Film Industry of the 1950s.
“I think the directors, the actors, actress all of them were wonderful. They put their lives on the line every time they made a film. They had no other option in life other than being in the movies,” said Sudhir Mishra.
Director Sudhir Mishra is King when it comes to creating ingenious cinema, be it ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron’, ‘Is Raat Ki Subah Nahi’, ‘Chameli’, or ‘Hazaaron Khwahishen Aisi’. And keeping with history, he promises to deliver the goods once again with his ode to the Golden Era of the Indian Film Industry.
“It’s about two young people. It’s about the wild world of films in the 50’s. It is a love story and a complicated film about ambition. The theme of the film is that it is better to die dancing than to live a life of mediocrity. Maybe this world of movies, passion and ambition will kill us, but its great and its magical and that’s why we are here.” – Sudhir Mishra.
KHOYA KHOYA CHAND stars Shiney Ahuja (who was an absolute brilliant discovery by Mishra in ‘Hazaaron Khwahishen Aisi’) and Soha Ali Khan in the main leads, while Rajat Kapoor, Sushmita Mukherjee, Sonya Jehan, and Vinay Pathak form the supporting base.
The film spans from 1954 to 1965 while it unravels the story of a writer-turned-director, Zaffar (Shiney Ahuja) and a young aspiring actress, Nikhat (Soha Ali Khan). The film opens up with Soha, a young 18 year old girl, with her mother trying to make it into films. Through her angst and attempts she catches the eye of Prem Kumar (Rajat Kapoor), who at the time is a big-shot actor in the Industry. With the excuse of providing young Nikhat with a break in films, he soon ravels his power over her, rendering Nikhat nothing but a puppet played by the hands of Prem.
It is here where Nikhat makes a life-saving acquaintance with Zaffar, who eventually frees her from the bondage that Prem Kumar had entwined her with. Zaffar, the arrogant yet genius writer-director explains to her that she owes nothing to anybody. She has made it into films on her own feet, talent, and ability. This is the same philosophy that led Zaffar to the tops, as he lives an independent life, and it is through his work that he is noticed, not through his contacts or any other “relationship.”
KHOYA KHOYA CHAND revolves around this story and the journey that these two artists take. It is Mishra’s sensational tale of two people truly in love with one another, yet estranged by their ideologies. It is a film that so very appropriately takes us into the world of Indian films circa the 1950s, when all was gold, pure, and raw.
Sudhir Mishra speaks on the reasons for the title of the film: “The title KHOYA KHOYA CHAND implies that much of our motivation is stars and to shine in the memories of people by becoming kind of immortal. That’s the main passion of the people who want to be in the movies and be creative by stamping themselves in the memories of people even when they are gone.” – Sudhir Mishra
Some interesting facts about the making of the KHOYA KHOYA CHAND
- The film was originally titled ‘Bahut Nikle Mere Armaan’
- Vidya Balan was first approached for the film but opted out due to previous commitments. The role was then offered to Soha Ali Khan.
- Soha Ali Khan says this is her most challenging role to date, for which she took acting workshops. She learnt Kathak under Nandita Puri, and studied Urdu as well.
The film is set to release in May 2007.