Anurag Kashyap, who is basking in the glory of fabulous reviews for his film Dev D, had a surprise waiting for him at the PVR in Juhu. He ran into fellow filmmaker Aditya Chopra who was there are as part of the regular audience.
Dev D is Kashyap's surrealistic take on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel Devdas.
"My friend Rajat Kapoor suggested that I go and check out the theatres on Saturday evening to see the audience reaction. I very reluctantly took his advice. Little did I know what was waiting for me at the PVR at Juhu," Kashyap told IANS.
"It looked like the whole industry had turned up for the public screening after hearing good things about my film. There were Anupam and Kirron Kher, Minissha Lamba, producer Madhu Mantena and lots of other people from our ilk."
But the surprise of the evening was Aditya. "When I found him sitting next to me, I didn't know how to react," he added.
The reclusive director, who makes it a point to watch all major films at paid previews, made an exception for "Dev D" after reading the extraordinary reviews. Luckily, the audience left Chopra alone to watch the film.
After the screening, Chopra sent Kashyap a message saying that Dev D rocked and that he should continue on the path that he had chosen for himself.
{{/usCountry}}After the screening, Chopra sent Kashyap a message saying that Dev D rocked and that he should continue on the path that he had chosen for himself.
{{/usCountry}}"I wouldn't like to reveal what he SMSed me. But yes, Aditya's words mean a lot to me. Frankly, I never thought my film would get this kind of a response. It is an exhilarating experience.
"The actors have contributed so much. Not only Abhay Deol but the two leading ladies. People say Mahie Gill shows flashes of Suchitra Sen in her performance. As for Kalki (Koechlin), she didn't falter one bit in living out her character," Kashyap said.