Family Matters

Written by PriyankaPereira

August 4, 2010 12:12 AM IST

4 min read

With the city experiencing heavy showers,an early morning walk on Carter Road promenade would seem like a bad idea. But debutant director Siddharth P Malhotrawho has been living in this neighbourhood for almost three decadesdoesnt quite agree. I come here for an evening walk,every single day, he says. This,despite the crazy schedule hes been running ever since his movie We Are Family went on floors. There are 10 more days of post-production work left on the film. After that,I can breathe easy, declares the 32-year-old as I join him for a walk.

With the strong wind blowing against our faces,we look for a suitable space to sit down. Malhotra points out his residence at the southern end of Carters. But the turbulent sea and the occasional shower prove to be bigger draws. With a strong film lineage,Malhotras launch in Bollywood was pre-empted. It was just a matter of time before I started work on my first film, says the grandson of veteran actors Prem Nath and Bina Rai.

The choice of subject was also clear to Malhotra,who terms himself a complete family man. I love spending time with my parents,wife and kids. They are my best friends. Hence,he wanted to do films which gelled with his sensibilities. He gave this a shot by writing scripts for the family-owned television production house Cinevistaas,which made shows like Gul Gulshan Gulfaam and Sanjeevani. As time passed by,Malhotra felt the urge to get involved with Bollywood projects. Thats when I started working with Karan Johar on Kal Ho Naa Ho and later with Sooraj Barjatyas Vivah, he confirms.

The sensibilities of these two popular directors will be reflected in Malhotras upcoming We Are Family,an adaptation of Stepmom. I am a blend of both, admits Malhotra,who has purchased rights of the original. It took him nine months to obtain the rights and another year to write the script. But he was clear about doing it ethically. This,however,happens to be his second script. The first one was a comedy. But I wasnt able to put the second half in place. I will start working on it again as soon as I wrap up this one, he states.

With the drizzle turning heavy,we move to a nearby coffee shop. He orders a cappucino with skimmed milk. I have lost 30 kilos in the last three months. I need to lose 10 more. After that,I can start eating again, he jokes. The amount of running around that directing a film demands too seem to have added to his workout regime. I was lucky to have Kajol and Kareena Kapoor though. They were my first and last choice. It took a lot of convincing and praying to God, he says. Emphasising on Kajols performance,he says the actress is the best thing that can happen to a director. Once you work with her,you want to write only for her.

As we enjoy our coffee,Malhotra reminisces the time spent with his grandfather. He always wanted to direct,but couldnt for some reason. I am now living his dream. But what makes the debutant director most happy is that his grandmother gave the mahurat clap at the same place (Filmistan) where she danced to Jo Vaada Kiya for Taj Mahal. But I am sad that she passed away when I was shooting in Sydney, sighs Malhotra. He,however,strongly believes that his grandparents choicest blessings are with him.

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Family Matters

With the city experiencing heavy showers,an early morning walk on Carter Road promenade would seem like a bad idea. But debutant director Siddharth P Malhotrawho has been living in this neighbourhood for almost three decadesdoesnt quite agree.

With the city experiencing heavy showers,an early morning walk on Carter Road promenade would seem like a bad idea. But debutant director Siddharth P Malhotrawho has been living in this neighbourhood for almost three decadesdoesnt quite agree.