For a tune and a song

Seema Sinha

SNDT University, Mumbai.

Newcomer Gauri Karnik and television artiste Achint Kaur are shooting for Tanuja Chandra's Sur. Also starring Lucky Ali, the film is being produced by Pooja Bhatt's Fish Eye Network in collaboration with Pritish Nandy Communications.

Sitting in front of a monitor and holding a mike is director Tanuja Chandra. Dressed in black, she watches Achint Kaur's posture and expressions intently. Owner of a music company Achint Kaur stands backstage, listenning to one of her artistes (Gauri Karnik) perform. The artiste sings beautifully. Her performance is a success, making Achint very happy.

Tanuja wants Achint to portray more happiness, and the actress complies.

Sur marks Tanuja's fourth directorial venture (after Dushman, Sangharsh, Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar). She has also written the film.

The film is about a teacher (Lucky Ali) who runs a music school in Ooty. A famous singer himself, he is in search of talent whom he can groom. He spots Tina Marie (Gauri Karnik) singing a hymn at a church. He learns she is more gifted than he is. Jealousy rears its head, rendering him insecure. He starts knocking away at her faith and confidence in music. The song being picturised is the film's climax.

"I like working with new actors. I never give up. I just make sure Gauri gets it right," says Tanuja. "I chose Lucky Ali because there is something interesting about him. He is attractive and has soft features. His eyes are tragic, which is needed for this character. The role is complicated, but he doesn't have to try --- he just behaves like the character. His is a composed performance."

Gauri adds, "It is a performance-oriented role." Gauri is an economics major from Mumbai's St Xavier's College. She has also had a stint in modelling and a few television serials. "I am supposed to be a good violinist in the film. Pooja (Bhatt) arranged violin classes for me three months before the shooting," she reveals.

Enter Pooja Bhatt. Also dressed in black, her long brown hair is tied in a neat bun. She is wearing a lot of silver jewellery. There is no trace of make-up. "Fish Eye is a brand new company that I have formed and Sur is my first venture," she smiles.

"We were very keen to have new actors. Nowadays, everyone seems alike in terms of look and clothes. We wanted someone with a distinct personality. My father (Mahesh Bhatt) saw Gauri on television and recommended her. I saw her and felt she was perfect for the role. Initially, we thought of doing her hair differently. But later, we decided to take her as she was.

"Both Lucky and Gauri are newcomers but are very good. They don't seem like newcomers," Pooja adds.

Has her career as an actress come to an end? "Last year, I did a cameo in Rahul Bose's Everybody Says I'm Fine. I am into producing, which is a big responsibility. My approach towards acting has changed. Only if I enjoy it and if I am in that state of mind will I take it up," she says, emphatically.

Tanuja's earlier films did not click at the box office. "I haven't yet achieved what I wanted. All my films have bombed. I am praying for that one big hit. A director's career is incomplete without a hit. I want to make an unforgettable film. And I'm far from my goal," says Tanuja.

Cut to the next scene. The stage is set. Dancers hold red flags, drums and dholaks, in front of a red curtain. Gauri has to play the violin on stage for a minute or so and then walk down in front of the audience to sing a song, which could bring a huge change in her life.

India News Feature Service