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Will Ankahee be a breather for Aftab?
Aftab talks to Diganta Guha about his next film and friendship with Esha Deol.
He has been around for long enough to know what sells and what does not. After a long gap child actor-turned-hero Aftab Shivdasani has something to look forward to - Vikram Bhatt’s Ankahee.
Bhatt’s Kasoor (with Lisa Ray) a few years ago gave him a much-needed hit. Will Ankahee (supposed to be based on Vikram’s life) do the same? Aftab is paired opposite Esha Deol (he was linked romantically to her once) and Ameesha Patel in the film. HT City caught up with the actor.
It’s not all Vikram’s life: Vikram has taken incidents from his life and a lot has been fictionalised. You can’t say it is Vikram Bhatt’s story. The film is very real and credit goes to the director for treating it so realistically. It also has a lot of entertainment value.
The relationships are intense: I play a doctor who meets a Miss World-turned-actor (played by Esha) and enters into a relationship with her. The relationship is quite intense. The doctor is married to Ameesha.
It is a story told with passion: I have never seen Vikram so passionate before. I think it has got a lot to do with the speculation that Ankahee is his story. After a long gap I saw a totally rejuvenated Vikram, full of energy. I am confident that Ankahee will get him back on track.
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| A still from Vikram Bhatt's forthcoming film, Ankahee |
Working with Esha again:
There was no discomfiture with Esha on the sets. In fact, we were so involved with the film that there was no animosity whatsoever. I think Esha is fantastic in the film. She has matured a lot over the years. When I first worked with her (
Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe
) she was a newcomer. In
Ankahee
she has done full justice to the role. She needs good directors and I really hope this film does for her what
Kasoor
did for me. And not taking away from Esha, I think Ameesha is the one to watch out for in the film.
Expectations from the film: Well, at this stage of my career, I am over expectations. It is best not to expect. I have survived over the years and every film is one step ahead for me.
Up next: There’s a Ram Gopal Varma production, Darwaza Bandh Rakho, and also Vikram Bhatt’s Speed, which is an action thriller.
