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The strains of a classical alaap compel us to enter a hall where a concert is supposedly 'in progress'. On stage is the singer, dressed in an immaculate dhoti-kurta, a chain around his neck. It's Jackie Shroff.
He looks every inch the Carnatic singer, complete with trademark kumkum on his forehead. The stage has posters of Jackie as a musician, caught in different moods. There are other musicians playing the violin, mridangam, ghatam and tanpura.
Jackie is making his foray in an untitled Telugu film by well-known director Suresh Krissna. Produced by Raju Harwani, it has Vishnu Babu and Anushka in the lead roles. Sharad Babu, Sumalatha and Rahul Dev also have roles to play.
For the moment, Jackie is excited about the film. Taking a break from his alaap and swaras, which he masters over a few minutes, he talks about being on Southern terrain. "I have done Hindi movies for 22 years. After doing the Bengali Antar Mahal, I felt I should work with all Indian languages. While shooting for Kyon Ki, I met Suresh Krissna with Priyan. I liked the role of a singer, which I have never done in my life. The South is a place for music, dance and culture. What better to enter than as a classical musician?" He does not divulge much about the role though.
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Incidentally, Jackie will shortly be seen in a Malayalam film as well. "Shooting is likely to begin in February and I play a cop," he says.
Jackie seems to get the nuances right the sruthi, emotions and, to some extent, even the taal. Any preparation for the role? "I have a good ear for music," he replies. "I can understand the pattern of the music. It comes to me instinctively. Also, my director is good and I know he will handle me if I falter somewhere."
The next day, the venue has shifted. It is at a house filled with pictures of musicians from Thyagaraja to Mozart. And Jackie seems to be having a blast. He is happy acting in a Telugu film. "Telugu heroes are made into demi-gods. The fans here are sincere and even if the film is bad, they will see it and stand by the actors they like."
Suresh Krissna throws some light on the film: "The story revolves around a team of like-minded youngsters fighting against the system corruption. They are personally affected by anti-social elements. While the hero (Vishnu Babu) takes it positively, the enemy character takes it negatively." When asked about his decision to cast Shroff, he says, "Why not Jackie? The character is a respected personality in society and, when we spoke to him, he was impressed and agreed."
Most of the movie is being shot in Hyderabad, with a short schedule in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu. This is also producer Raju Harwani's first venture, stepping into production after years in the music industry. "We have been distributing audio and video for two decades. So we know the pulse of the audience. We wanted to do something fresh and not go for the usual combination of artistes. I have made no compromises and hope to give the best product," he says.
While Vishnu Babu refrains from talking about his role, a pretty Anushka Shetty says, "I am playing a bubbly character." For this girl in her third Telugu film, working with Suresh Krissna "is a learning experience. It's great working with him."
Written by Parachuri Brothers, with music by Shrikant Deva, the movie's director of photography is Balamurugan. It is likely to be released in April.
Photographs: K R Vinayan