Jab Khuli Kitaab: When a project is so close to your heart, you’re bound to introduce the best cast possible, so that the artists can bring the characters to life. Imagine three National Film Award-winning actors in one film that promises to showcase a refreshing tale of mature love on the screen. Jab Khuli Kitaab is a part of Saurabh Shukla’s life as he has not only written the script but also directed the movie, which premiered on ZEE5 on Friday (March 6). For the unversed, he himself is a recipient of the National Film Award.
How Idea For Jab Khuli Kitaab Was Developed?
In an exclusive conversation with Filmibeat Chief Copy Editor Abhishek Ranjit, Saurabh Shukla bared his heart out about Jab Khuli Kitaab, revealing the thought process behind casting three National Award winning artits- Pankaj Kapur, Dimple Kapadia and Mansi Parekh. Did you know Jab Khuli Kitaab is a popular play that has been written and conceptualised by Mr. Shukla himself?
What made him develop the idea into a feature film?
“I got this idea, and I started working on it like a film. I commenced writing the script, and then I received a chance in a festival called Aadhyam to present it as a play
first. So, I did that. Applause Entertainment came to know about this story and Samir Nair told me that he found it beautiful, and he wanted to make it as a film. And I was super thrilled,” Saurabh told Filmibeat.
“And from there, what happens is that you think of a story, you write a story, but when you get people around you who believe in that story as much as you do, then it’s like a wonderful ride. And so, I then wrote it as a film. And while writing the film, whether you like it or not, the characters’ faces start coming to your mind. So, it was always my desire to take Pankaj ji (Pankaj Kapur) in this film as the lead. Gopalji, you know, Gopal
Nautiyal. I wanted him to play his character. And I was anxious when I gave him the script, but I was lucky and he just read it, and said- I’m doing the film. And so, one thing was done,” the actor-director said while spilling the beans on casting Pankaj Kapur.
Saurabh Shukla Thought Dimple Kapadia Would Reject Jab Khuli Kitaab, But She Called Him And Said…
As the Satya actor got candid about the slice-of-life drama film, he shared that he earlier thought Dimple Kapadia would reject the role. However, the veteran actress was impressed with the script, and she called him to express her excitement about working on the project.
“We were toying with the idea of who’s going to be the next pillar of this film, which is Anusriya’s character. And in my wildest imagination, I didn’t dare to think about Dimple Kapadia ji. In my mind, she was always such a huge star, such a wonderful actor, but so busy. I was advised by my partner and Sameer Nair to at least send her a script,” the Jolly LLB 3 actor said.
While Saurabh Shukla thought Dimple might not accept the role due to her busy schedule, she was keen to collaborate with him.
“I sent her the script, but I was not so optimistic, and was trying to be realistic. I was telling myself, ‘You will get a NO after some 15-20 days’. However, on the third day, my phone rang, and it was Dimple ji on the phone. She said, ‘Saurabh ji, I am doing this film, and nobody else will play this character,” the actor-director quipped while sharing what Dimple told him over a phone call.
“It was like a dream come true. What a beautiful performance she has delivered! What a beautiful energy she gave to the film. I’ll always be indebted to her. She is one of the most beautiful people I have met in my life,” he added.
Jab Khuli Kitaab can be streamed online on ZEE5.
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