Kim Sharma, the go-getter!

Sujata Chanda

A drive from Vile Parle train station to the interiors of a residential area in Versova leads to Convent Villa, a popular shooting spot in Bombay.

The first thing that strikes you when you enter the bungalow is that the sedate interiors are quite in contrast to the bungalow's opulent exterior.

This is where Venus' Tumse Achcha Kaun is being shot. Art director Bijon Dasgupta has done up the place, keeping simplicity and an ethnic look in mind. "It's basically to show that the occupants of the house belong to a simple middle-class family," says director Deepak Anand, known as the maker of Balwaan, Sunil Shetty's first film.

Anand's other films -- Yaad Rakhegi Duniya, Shriman Ashique and Humse Badhkar Kaun -- might not have done well, but he is not one to look back and mope over failure. "I am concentrating fully on Tumse Achcha Kaun at the moment and am confident of its success," he remarks.

Tumse Achcha Kaun is being produced by Venus, which is also one of the reasons why the director is confident about it doing well. "We're lucky to have Ratan Jain's group (Venus) as the producer. We have complete freedom to work as we please. Moreover, we are able to devote all our energies to the creative aspects of the film as all production matters are taken care of by the Venus team," says a pleased Anand.

This is the first time Deepak Anand is directing an out-an-out love story. How has the experience been? "Actually, I had tackled a romantic tale in Yaad Rakhegi Duniya earlier, though it had lot of other emotions, too. This time, I'm experimenting with a simple and beautiful love story," replies Deepak.

A romantic story with fresh new faces is what the director seems to strongly believe in. The film stars Nakul Kapoor, Kim Sharma and Aarti Chabria. While Kim has already starred in Mohabbatein, Nakul and Aarti are rank newcomers. Deepak Anand, however, refuses to believe that audience's unfamiliarity with the artistes might not work in favour of the film.

Instead, he says, "Wait till you see the film. I'm sure the fresh cast will work. Besides, both Nakul and Aarti have faced the camera at some point. While Nakul has appeared in numerous music videos and ad films, Aarti plays an important role in Rajkumar Santoshi's Lajja. She was recently seen in the music video of Sukhwindara Singh's Nasha Hi Nasha." Rati Agnihotri also stars in the film.

On this day, Kim is not required. Scenes on Rati, Nakul and Aarti are being picturised. For the shot being canned, Rati, who plays a mother of three daughters, walks into the house, tired after a shopping trip, and calls out to her daughters. Few retakes and the shot is okayed by the director. Just before getting busy with the preparations for the next shot, Anand informs, "The house also plays a very important role in the film. This is where the romance develops!"

Tumse Achcha Kaun is the story of a strong, independent and single mother of three girls. She realises her late husband's dream of becoming a singer, by helping her eldest daughter's friend (Nakul) become one. Rati Agnihotri explains her role in the film thus: "Nakul comes to Bombay from Jaisalmer to follow his dream of becoming a singer. I give him shelter and foster his inborn talent of singing."

That might be okay, but where is that 'simple and beautiful' love story amidst all this? "Wait," says the director almost half-heartedly, not in a mood to reveal the story. He adds, "Nakul, Kim and Aarti form the love triangle. It's all about the attitudes of the two women and the man with a mission, sandwiched between them." He refuses to reveal anything more.

Aarti is more forthcoming, "My character believes that if you love somebody, set it free. If the person loves you, he will definitely come back. As for Kim, she believes in going hammer and tongs after the person she loves. She is ambitious and believes in getting what she wants by hook or by crook."

Nakul chips in, "I have a dream to make it big some day as a singer and I meet Aarti at Jaisalmer where I hail from. She is a tourist guide from Bombay and is, by and large, solely responsible in igniting the passion of singing within me. The dream soon becomes my life's mission as I come to Bombay with her. She also convinces me to stay with her family."

Once in Bombay, Nakul meets Kim and falls in love with her, unaware of her friend Aarti's love for him. And how different the rest is will be answered when the movie releases on August 10. "Yeah, you'll have to see it for yourself!", says the director with a chuckle.

The story, written by Sujit Sen and Lalit Mahajan, is based on a subject suggested by producer Ratan Jain. "Actually, it is Ratanji's story idea," informs Deepak.

About his experience in making the film, Anand says, "I have got the best in the industry, whether it has to do with story, art, choreography, lyrics or music." And what about his artistes? "Oh! They are my ace cards and I have been very lucky with my cards," quips the director.

Tumse Achcha Kaun boasts of music by Nadeem Shravan. Deepak Anand's face lights up as he talks about them: "My subject demanded Nadeem Shravan's music and they have delivered what was demanded of them. In fact, the songs they have composed have turned out so good that the film's music will be a major hit of the year."

There must be some truth in what the director says, especially going by the duo's recent track record. Dhadkan has been a blockbuster album. Their music in Kasoor also did well. Tumse Achcha Kaun has seven songs, penned by Sameer and choreographed by Saroj Khan, Rekha Chinni Prakash and Shiamak Davar.

And what do the budding stars think of their director? Aarti is the first to reply, "Apart from learning so much from Rajkumar Santoshi, I learnt from Deepak how to be accurate with my ideas and the technicalities of emoting my character."

Says Rati, "Deepak is amazing to work with, he knows things so well. And, believe me, all my experiences during the film's making have made it a memorable one for me." How does she like playing the mother of not one but three girls? "I am pretty happy. It's a natural quality in me. In fact, the more the kids, the better and merrier," a radiant Rati replies.

The film is 75 per cent complete and the remaining portion will be shot on locations at Jaisalmer and Bombay. A part of the remaining portion will be shot either in New Zealand or Australia, which will be the next destination where the film will see its remaining 25 per cent being shot.