Guest Blogger Anupam Kher : Sankat City
On the lines of Khosla ka Ghosla and A Wednesday, comes a film directed by Pankaj Advani, called Sankat City. Having an acting school of mine and getting opportunities to work outside India I get to be in touch with today’s generation. In that sense I will never feel outdated. Sankat city is my belief in the modern day Indian cinema and that how money plays very minimum role in the germ of a thought that enters into the mind of a director or writer.
I clearly remember the first time I met Pankaj. He had come to visit me on the set of a film I was shooting, around one and half years ago. We sat and had a short conversation in my make-up van. He handed me the script. I asked him, which role he had me in mind for. He told me, ‘will talk to you after you read the script’.
A week later I read the script and it blew my mind. I called the producers to let them know of my reaction. Ten minutes later, Pankaj called me. I congratulated him. He wanted to meet me. I called him over to the set again.
This time he mentioned the character he had me in mind for. But by then I’d fallen in love with the character of Faujdaar, a funny, twisted-n-vicious loanshark, who has a kink for South Indian starlets, also a big devotee of a godman referred to as Maharaj ji.
We argued. Pankaj was insistent that I do the other character. I had no alternative but to bulldoze him into giving me the part. Initially he resisted. I could see that he was upset with me. He called me again in a day’s time and said, “I’m going purely by my instincts, will you do Faujdaar’s role.”
We met again and talked about the character. He requested if I could shave my skull for the role. I readily agreed. He wanted a very rustic accent for my character. I suggested that I do a Himachali accent, like my character in Hum.
And then started the shooting. From the very first shot, I was sure that the crew knew their job, though I did get a feeling that they were being a little guarded while interacting with me. But that didn’t last long. We were shooting a scene in a moving car. Me and Rahul Dev were sitting on the back seat. There was no space for the sound recordist. I offered to operate the nagra (on my lap which was out of frame). The crew immediately warmed up to me.
One thing I must mention about the film is, the long one-shot scenes, sometimes going upto 3 minutes. They were difficult to do, because it involved a lot of movements, positions, lines, moods and actors. But we managed to pull it off quite well.
I am not the lead protagonist of the film like A Wednesday and Khosla ka Ghosla, but I feel the need to promote this kind of cinema which is passionate, earthy, relevant and original. I enjoyed working in the film. And I enjoyed watching the film. If you’ve loved certain films of mine, you’re going to love this. Watch it for the emergence of a new director.
- Anupam Kher, Guest Blogger, PFC
Anupam regularly blogs on www.actorprepares.net
Tags: Guest Blogger, Sankat City
Anurag Kashyap
Abhay Deol
Dibakar Banerjee
Hansal Mehta
Khalid Mohamed
Kundan Shah
Anish Kuruvilla
Jaideep Verma
Manish Gupta
Navdeep Singh
Bhavani Iyer
D. Santosh
Onir
Ashvin Kumar
Ramu Ramanathan
Sudhir Mishra
Pankaj Advani
Revathy
Saurabh Shukla
Shilpa Shukla
Sujoy Ghosh
Suparn Verma
Santosh Sivan
Shashank Ghosh
Shivajee
Pavan Kaul
Partho Sen-Gupta
Prroshant Naryannan
Sam Langoria
Satish Kasetty
Hey!Anupamji welcome to PFC.always loved your work.and nice to know that you are part of a team that thinks different.Sankat City is a very happening film for all of us here.
Pankaj bhai- thanks a lot first for bringing Kay Kay and now Anupamji also to PFC.
Wow…very very warm welcome..on PFC Anupam. Those who have seen Sankat havent stopped raving about Faujdaar.
It is an honor to have you here..please stick around and let us pick your brain :-).
I feel Inspector Giridhar in Hum was one tough role..supremely difficult in maintaining a line between going over the top and balancing the act, and you pulled it off with great elan. Hope to see Faujdaar do that.
Keep blogging sirjee!!
It’s so good to see you on PFC sir. The trailers for the movie aren’t that interesting. Will see the film and pass a judgment though.
“bhabhizi bhabhizi sweet bhabhizi….aab bhabhizi aur baccze aag se khelenge….”
welcomez to PFC Sir.
I love PFC,
and I love you too takloo!!!!
Great to see you here sir! You’ve been quietly identifying and working with the best talent to have emerged out of new age hindi cinema in the past few years, what with ‘Khosla ka ghosla and ‘A Wednesday’. Really, really hope ‘Sankat City’ is a similar sleeper hit…Please do keep writing and letting us know about other interesting projects you are working on. Will help us identify the geniuses early
That has to be the funniest dance in the history of cinema. That, and the ‘andkosh’ dialogue at the end – so unsuspected hence it cracked us all up completely. And while it might be an ensemble piece, you are the main instigator, the lead protagonist, the one who sets everything in motion – and then stops it too:) Do keep writing…if you could, write and teach us about acting. A lot of people here would love to hear your analysis of great actors and scenes and how to direct actors…do write whenever you get the time 
Loved your work in ‘Sankat City’ as well as the movie – but just one question: where did you find that red shirt for the dance with the South Indian starlet?
A very warm welcome to PFC, sir! We look forward to read from from you!
I never thought there could be a still with Mumaith Khan and Anupam Kher in one frame in a movie!!
And with the character sketch you are giving, this must be the craziest movie ever made.
Oh ! I forgot to welcome you sir to PFC. I have been impressed by your skill right from the ‘Saransh’ days and I loved your performance in ‘Daddy’ – one of the few hindi movies that made me cry . While I was pained about how you were being mistreated (artistically) in commercial cinema, went on cloud nine on seeing Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Maara’. And finally I am at loss for words on seeing you here in PFC (did i say loss for words – let me correct it – I feel like a dumb guy who suddenly got his speech!! :-))
I must make special mention about your slapstick moments in the ‘Other end of the line’ – You were the only good thing in that movie – particularly when you contemplated walking on water in the pool – I was in splits….
Oh – cut the crap – I am simply happy!!!!
Three cheers to Sankat City and Pankaj Advani!!
Jai Ho!!!
Welcome to PFC, Sir!
I’m sure you’ll gather a lot of applause for Sankat City. I’ve been eagerly looking forward to it for the last 4-5 months. Especially looking forward to the 3-min shots
Welcome here, Sir. I’m sure Faujdaar will be an addition in the list of your memorable roles.
We look forward to interacting with you in the comments column.
Following the resolution of multiplex crisis, there is a deluge of promos of new films on TV. Some of these promos, like the much hyped KI, seem a little soul less, but I like the promos of Sankat City. Let us hope that the film matches the promos!
welcome anupam-ji. PFC and all of us here are so lucky to have you blogging here.
.
sankat city is going to be landmark film for all concenred, as well as for the Indian audience, coz they have probably never seen this kind of madcap-sensible comedy before.
.
please respond on the comments section to make it more interactive.
Welcome to PFC sir…really looking forward to see this movie and yes..your act in it.Hope to see more of you on PFC.Cheers!!
Big fan, Saar.
Pankaj’s teaser articles, Kay Kay’s post and now yours – tempo is rising saar.
Expectasaan is high saar.
Please reply saar.
Welcome to PFC Sir,
Just one humble request plz stop doing senseless comedies, we feel sad to see you and paresh rawal trying to pump up bad scripts…
We want you to do more Wednesday,gandhi,khosla and to some extent RDB,anthony
Thanks PFC for this great platform to interact with the real “Heroes” of bollywood..
Good cinema survives in Hindi film industry due to a handful of committed people like yourself…
Welcome to PFC…
As an audience the most enjoyable part of your histrionic brilliance is the ease with which gears change in the potrayals. One moment your character is funny and the very next its intense…absolutely amazing control…a joy for us viewers…
We would join you in the cause for promoting ‘Sankat City’(and also watching it in the cinema hall) and any other good films you are associated with in the future…
Thanks for this insight into the origins of your character…would love to hear more details about ‘Faujdaar’ and other characters to which you have breathed life into…
Anupam sir, a very warm welcome to you at PFC! is blog ki goonj bollywood sunegi. this is so overwhelming. thanks to you, i learnt to hold the drink! :-)
*bowing* welcome!!!!!
Welcome dear sir!
You have been an institution over the years. You deserve the great roles coming your way!
It’s a great pleasure and honor to have your company amidst us. I am sure everyone reading your post is going to watch Sankat City on the first weekend!
Please share more of your thoughts on acting, what you think makes a good actor or write about your experiences with students in your acting school…thanks in advance
this is a landmark event for PFC. red letter day hai ji khosla saab! thanks to you!
Hello Sir! Welcome…You look cool in your new avatar…The pic where Dilip ji is looking at you while you are pointing the gun at Kay Kay instantly made me laugh….the expressions are wonderful and gives a premise of what to expect…a joyful and fun filled ride loaded with comedy!
As D&C pointed out, could you please share your thoughts on acting and all the other stuff related to cinema. We would like to hear it from you Sir. Thank you.
this is the first time i guess the blog is better than the trailers of a movie….big fan of yours sir…i’m going to watch this movie wit a couple of friends…
Pankaj – I jsut sent this email to PFC, not sure if you or someone involved in the distribution of this film would receive it so posting here too…
And welcome Anupam ji
——
How much would it cost to get a print of the movie to St Louis, USA? I was not sure if the film would have a screening in Chicago, in which case the cost for transportation and handling should not be much.
We typically get the big budget Bollywood releases in the St Louis market and it usually sells well (5 or 6 shows on opening weekend and more if the film’s a good one). Of late, I have seen smaller budget films popping up too so I guess there is market here.These films are shown at the local AMC (hired per show basis on a single screen).
If it’s feasible then I could surely pursue this for a screening here (opening weekend or 2nd week). Your response is appreciated.
Thanks
Savio
snrs2009 at gmail dot com
Savio, You are my MAN! Please bring it to St. Louis, I’m at Urbana Champaign. Will come running to see the movie, and get some of my friends along too!
Hey Tanul, That’s nice to hear there would be at least 2 of us for sure
Jokes apart, between WashU, Rolla, UM-Columbia/STL/KC and Urbana-Champaign I am sure there would be enough within the student community to fill up the place… add to that the working class junta and you have a hit on your hand… I only hope someone who matters, reads these messages and do something…
Savio, Precisely my point. There is a good enough market which should be tapped. Btw, I never knew St. Louis had these big b’wood releases too. Will check them out in the near future. Thanks!
Getting more confident about the movie with KK and Anupam Kher endorsing it. Hoping the reviews are good as well!
Mr. Kher I saw sankat city and I just loved this movie. I think this is best movie I have seen so far this year. Producers spent so much money in movies like kambhaqt Ishq which is good for nothing, they should spend their money on movies like DEV D, Sankat City, and there are so many other movies.
Pankaj Advani had done a gr8 job. I live in USA and this movie was not released on theaters so we had to wait until the DVD came. So we watched it last nite and I must say I loved you and KK in the movie.