Class Act

Despite their long personal association,Paatshaala will be their first professional venture together. “I have been in the industry for almost 15 years. I have offered scripts to Shaira to be produced. While she formerly refused,the topic of Paatshaala moved her and she decided to make the film,” says Ahmed,35,as he goes on to add that she is one of the weirdest producers ever. “Every time a child felt unwell,she wanted to cancel the shoot. Every Sunday she would buy gifts like Xbox and Playstations for the kids. The only other producer who did this was Boney Kapoor. He got chocolates for us during the Mr India shoot,” he reminisces.

Shaira,30,who is busy ordering coffee,quickly joins the conversation and tells us that it was not the company’s money but her own that she spent on the kids. “In college,my friends would ask me what profession I would choose; I would happily say,housewife. I then got married at 19 and was busy raising our kids Azaan and Subhan when I was offered to produce Paatshaala. I wanted to get everything right,” she says,running her hand through her long mane. This movie seems to have opened more opportunities for her. She is now producing three more issue-based films — Infant Safetypin,a story of a girl child,and Gush,that talks about youth getting into drugs,while the third is her husband’s next directorial venture with Shahid Kapoor.

As we are talking,Ahmed is flooded with phone calls from his distributors,who are at his office to catch the trial of his film. “So far all the people who have watched it have ended up crying,because it is very touching. It is our fight against the education system,” he informs us. While most writers would be touchy about their film being compared to another one,Ahmed seems to have no qualms about Paatshaala’s comparisons to Taare Zameen Par. “TZP is the base on which we have made Paatshaala. If there was no TZP there would be no Paatshaala. And I would be happy if my film made a difference to society the way TZP has,” says Ahmed,who also feels Shahid Kapoor’s role is similar to that essayed by Aamir Khan in TZP.

Shaira,by now,has spotted some friends at the outlet and makes a quick dash to greet them. Meanwhile,Ahmed fills us in on his upcoming choreography acts. “There is Paatshaala,then there is Anjaana Anjaani with Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra,” he pauses for a while to think,when Shaira reminds him of Badmaash Company,this according to her,has some of the best choreographed songs. “I am my husband’s biggest fan,” she winks. Soon,she will also get a chance to witness his acting skills in Mr India 2,where he plays an important role. “Boney uncle is trying to get all the child artistes from the first part. Let’s see how it works. But with Salman (Khan) playing Mogambo’s son,it should be fun,” laughs Ahmed.

Dance Company
* Dhan Te Nan
* Bachna Ae Haseeno
* Aae Paapi
* Haye Rama
* Fiqrana