Why Ashutosh Rana loves danger!

Ronjita Kulkarni

Vasant Chheda's debut film Danger is very bold.

The film stars Ashutosh Rana, Jas Arora, Tara Deshpande and debutant Gautam Kapoor. At the film launch at Mumbai's Le Meridien on May 2, the cast members (except for Despande) were present along with friends Sunil Shetty and Suman Ranganathan.

Snippets from the film were shown. Says Rana, "This is the most organised film shooting I have ever been to. Let me start from the script. It was such a thick book. Everything was mentioned there --- from the script, storyline, dialogues, clothes, even the camera angles. It was very systematic."

Ashutosh admits that in the beginning he was reluctant to accept the role --- the film seemed too bold. But after (co-director, producer, writer) Chheda assured him, he agreed. "Vasant was very considerate. Our shootings had to start at 7 am. There was never a day in our 30 days of shooting that the cameras didn't roll at 7.05 am," Rana adds. "I would get my cheque every seven days, with a note of my positive points attached to it. By the end of the shooting, the entire amount was paid."

Chheda is the producer, writer and co-director of Danger. He started his film career by financing films like Dev Benegal's Split Wide Open. "Everything in this film is unique. I have not paid attention to the economics. This film has been made keeping in mind the audience and their need for good quality and content."

This is Jas Arora's third film; his first two being Tanuja Chandra's Dushman (Kajol, Ashutosh Rana) and Dev Anand's Mein Solah Baras Ki (Sabrina, Dev Anand). Also, model Gautam Kapoor debuts with Danger. He has appeared in music videos like Alisha Chinai's De De.

The film is about three people --- Ashutosh Rana (an accountant), Tara Deshpande (his mistress) and Jas Arora (her lover) -- who come across Rs 20 million belonging to the Mafia. All three try to steal the money from the other, while hiding from the Mafia.

The background music has been scored by DJ Whosane? who makes his debut. The film has no songs. Danger releases May 17.