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Back to school
Director-choreographer Ahmed Khan turns producer with a kiddy flick starring Shahid Kapur, Ayesha Takia, Nana Patekar and Vidya Balan.
Come 2008 and Shahid Kapur, Ayesha Takia, Vidya Balan and Nana Patekar will go back to school. Not in real life but for choreographer-director Ahmed Khan’s maiden venture being made under the banner Paper Doll Entertainment. Paathshaala will be directed by Milind Ukey who was once an assistant to Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and the writer-director of the animated flick Hanuman.
According to our source, “The film revolves around a school.. the students, their parents, teachers, the principal and trustees. It’s a film on the education system.”
Friends in deed
The stars mentioned above, however, will only be making special appearances. They won’t be required to shoot for more than four to five days. The film’s main cast is still to be finalised.
Apparently, Khan was inspired by Aamir Khan, who makes his directorial debut with Taare Zameen Par, to make this kiddie flick. When he discovered that Ukey shared the same vision, he opted to handle the production. And handed over the reins to Ukey.
Khan confirmed the news but insisted that Paathshaala was only a tentative title. The film is being backed by Adlabs and Khan’s friends have promised their full support.
“I’ll reveal more details once my cast is finalised,” he said. The shooting begins in January.
When quizzed about why he wasn’t directing the film himself, Khan responded, “I prefer to focus on one thing at a time.When I am producing music videos, I don’t choreograph them. I enjoyed directing Lakeer and Fool n Final. But this time I’ll be overseeing the project as a producer. I have full faith in Milind. I’m sure he’ll make a fabulous movie. ”
