Seasoned actor Saurabh Shukla, whose play Jab Khuli Kitaab has been turned into a movie, starts streaming on Zee5 from today (March 6). And a few days before its release the noted actor-writer and director spoke exclusively with Moneycontrol about the film's cast and his choice of veteran actors Pankaj Kapur and Dimple Kapadia in the lead roles.
Jab Khuli Kitaab, written and directed by veteran actor-filmmaker Saurabh Shukla, is one such film that explores love, companionship and the fragile complexities of relationships in the later stages of their life.
Veteran actors Dimple Kapadia and Pankaj Kapur, play the role of a couple who are contemplating divorce after decades of marriage. The narrative also features Aparshakti Khurana who plays the role of a young lawyer, who is hired by Pankaj's character Gopal ji to help him secure divorce.
Saurabh Shukla said his directorial venture Jab Khuli Kitaab is more special because it began its life as a stage play before being adapted into a movie. Backed by Applause Entertainment, the project allowed the filmmaker to bring a deeply personal story to the screen.
In this exclusive conversation with Moneycontrol, Saurabh Shukla spoke about the unforgettable moment when actress Dimple Kapadia agreed to do the film. He also revealed why casting Pankaj Kapur felt like destiny.
'It was a blessing when Dimple ji agreed'
Saurabh Shukla said approaching Dimple Kapadia was perhaps the most nerve-wracking part of the process. He admitted that he never imagined she would say 'yes so easily'.
“Dimple Kapadia ka main aapko bata deta hoon, meri itni himmat nahi thi ki main soch bhi sakoon ki main Dimple ji ke paas ye script bhi lekar jaa sakoon. Iska credit main dena chahoonga Naren ko, mere partner of Shoe Strap. Sameer Nair of Applause clearly told me ki we dont care about what is saleability of stars. Just make this film in its true spirit. I was secured. Naren said aapne Dimple ma'am ke baare mein socha. I said it would be a dream, but main nahi jaonga kyunki woh itni badi star hai aur woh mana kar dengi. ("Let me tell you about Dimple Kapadia, I didn't have the courage to even think of approaching her with this script. I credit Naren, my partner at Shoe Strap, for that. Sameer Nair of Applause clearly told me, 'We don't care about the saleability of stars. Just make this film in its true spirit.' I felt secure. Naren asked if I had thought about Dimple ma'am. I said it would be a dream, but I wouldn't go because she's such a big star, she'd say no.")
"In the star system it takes a lot of time before anything moves forward. He said no please send the script. I simply sent the script to Dimple ji. I was ready with this mindset that after 15-20 days her secretary would call and refuse the film. But on the third day, I got a call and it was Dimple ji ok the other side, she said I have read the script and ye role main hi karoongi. And it was such an emotional moment for me," he added.
Saurabh said it was a pleasure and dream come true moment for him when he saw Dimple Kapadia and Pankaj Kapur as his leads in Jab Khuli Kitaab.
"Jab woh set par ayi aur jab unhone jab kaam kiya iss film mein. It was a complete blessing for me and she is the heart of the film. Pankaj ji and Dimple Kapadia were jackpot for me in the movie. Kismat chalti hai toh bas chalti hai and ussi strike mein mujhe apna teesra nagina Aparshakti mein mil gaya. You have seen what he has done in this film," he said with a broad smile on his face.
Watch the exclusive interview with Saurabh Shukla and Aparshakti Khurana:
'Seeing your story come alive on screen is pure joy'
Saurabh said the film is deeply personal because it originated from a story he had written long ago. Watching it evolve from a play into a film remains one of the most satisfying moments of his creative life.
“It is one of the best happiness one can get. I mean, is kahani ko jab maine lekha. When you write a story, when you see coming it alive on screen, it's a great joy. And so, first it was a play and then when I was offered it to be converted into a movie I was really happy. Applause and Sameer believed in it. That was happiness enough. And finally, when I got this cast and I could not have asked for more. I hope that I keep getting these experiences and these actors agree to work with me in the next film, whenever I make it. So, it has been, I couldn't have asked for more, but it's a blend of both," he said.
Iss kahaani mein dukh hai lekin dukh ant nahi hai
The actor-filmmaker, who has played versatile roles in many hit films like Satya, Jolly LLB to name a few, said he believes the story reflects how people perceive life differently depending on their perspective.
"I always say that in my mind, this film has magic realism. It's magical and it's very real. The way you look at life, that's the world you see. I've faced many challenges in my personal life, but I've found life to be more beautiful than those challenges. Early in my career, I got an offer to go to England for three years to act in their industry, a very important character. I got it, but then I lost that chance. I was really hurt at the time, thinking I'd lost an opportunity so early on. But looking back, I realize it was for the best. All the love and beautiful work I've got wouldn't have been possible there, because this is my own language, my own country. I understand its ethos. Life is beautiful, the way you see it. That's the kind of stories I try to tell. This story's like that - 'isme dukh kam nahi hai lekin dukh ant nahi hai.' Shah Rukh sahab ki badi aik badi achchi line lagti hai, jo unhone apni film mein rakhi thi ‘Picture abhi baaki hai," he said.
On casting Pankaj Kapur
Saurabh Shukla said veteran actor Pankaj Kapur was always the first choice for the role of Gopal ji. and he also revealed that he had never met or worked with Pankaj before this movie.
"As far as Pankaj goes, I always wanted him in this film because he's a fabulous actor. The amazing thing is, I'd never met him before this film, never worked with him, didn't have any chemistry like that... but in my mind, he was always there. And he is a fabulous actor," he said.
Aparshakti on turning lawyer in Jab Khuli Kitaab
In the film, Aparshakti Khurana plays the lawyer who is pulled into the unusual case of an elderly couple wanting to separate.
“This film strikes a great emotional chord along with humour. You can talk about any character, though my favourite character in this movie is Dolu. I think both lead characters Gopalaji (played by Pankaj sir) and Anasuya played by Dimple ji, there is something which is very differently written," he laughed as he spoke with us from his car while he drove to another set.
"A lawyer gets a case about uncle aunty wanting to divorce each other in the later stages of life. It is something very unheard of. It has been a very well thought and well written world of these two in this movie. I feel so glad that Saurabh sir picked me to be a part of it. All 30-32 days when we were shooting this film in Ranikhet, we all had a lot of fun during the shoot," he added.
On working with a legend like Pankaj Kapur
"It's inevitable to feel intimidated because he's extremely talented. We've all grown up watching legendary films and characters he's done. My first experience with him was Phatichar on DD, then Office Office, and all the other stuff followed. That was a time when Irrfan Khan, Pankaj Kapur - all the biggies of the industry were doing television, and doing great work. Pankaj sir is one of the legends of acting in our country, if I may say so. We often casually call him a legend, but it's not just a slang; he truly deserves it.
Saurabh Shukla also spoke about why he doesn't believe in showing perfect endings in movies.
He reasons: "The first thing I'd say is perfect is never perfect. If something's perfect, it's the end. What's next? The journey is always ahead. The kind of cinema I like doesn't undermine the audience by telling them everything. The audience is an entity as involved as we are - they've made the film too. They're involved, they want to imagine, they want their own answers, and they want to connect with the story and see their life in perspective. That's why I don't believe in perfect endings."
Aparshakti Khurana echoed the same and said: "Imperfections and flaws are always so beautiful. So, it happens in real life also. Saurabh Sir has created the real life. This is how things happen in reality too. And that's the beauty of the film. Agar aisi ending nahi hoti toh film ki language ke saath khilwad hota. It is absolutely true to its spirit.”
Saurabh Shukla is known for his acting, writing and filmmaking. He has given many memorable performances in films like Satya, Jolly LLB and has consistently explored stories rooted in human emotions.
Aparshakti Khurana, meanwhile, has carved a niche for himself as a versatile performer in Hindi cinema. Apart from his acting stints, he is also known as a singer and television host.
Jab Khuli Kitaab is currently streaming on ZEE5 and it brings together a stellar cast led by Dimple Kapadia and Pankaj Kapur, Samir Soni, Aparshakti Khurana, Manasi Parekh.
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