First-time director Nupur Asthanas low-budget film,Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge,has become the surprise hit of the year If you needed a sharp contrast to everything about Ra.One,check out the sleeper hit Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge (MFK). The Y-film productions trailers hinted at a yawn fest,the actors were young nobodies,there were no hoardings,no big brand tie-ups and no fancy Diwali opening. Most importantly,the title seemed to suggest that everybody associated with the film had run out of ideas. Fraandship? The words so 2000. But,Fraandship has struck a chord,and become the surprising new buzzword. The film even fulfills the purists definition of a hit due to its longevity MFKs been going rock steady in the box office for three weeks straight. We were a low-budget film. There wasnt much money for publicity. I had my fingers crossed but nothing had prepared me for such a success, says debutante director Nupur Asthana. Speaking over phone from Mumbai,Asthana often bursts into laughter and her voice reflects her pride. The 30-something filmmaker has had a successful career in television before she plunged into movies. Remember the cult TV series,Hip Hip Hurray (1998) and more recently,Mahi Way (2010),both were directed by Asthana. Films are something I have always wanted to do but since it involves a lot of money,I stuck to TV which was a great stepping stone, explains this Lady Shri Ram graduate who also studied Mass Communication at Sophia College in Mumbai. MFKs plot seems corny at times since love stories with mistaken identities have been the peg of many rom-coms. Asthana,however,introduces a Facebook angle,thus cleverly bringing out modern youths fascination with the anonymity and entertainment that social media offers. The movie worked well because I love working with youngsters. I spoke to teenagers and tried to understand them, she says,adding that several characters from the film were based on her college friends. Youth seems to be Asthanas area of expertise. Thats not entirely true, interjects the director,I did two shows,Timebomb and Hu Bahu,and both had very serious,adult-centric themes. But she doesnt entirely deny her special connection with youngsters. When Adi (Aditya Chopra) came to me with the offer,I was really enthusiastic as the theme was just so today. Facebook has become an integral part of our lives,its the place we network,make friends,break-up and hook-up, she says. Doesnt Facebook encourage a superficial lifestyle? Of course,it is superficial and that is what the film is trying to say. The real world is better than the virtual one, she says,The effect of a smiling emoticon falls flat in the face of eye contact,real time. For now,though,no emoticon can rival her smile.
