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Journalism of Courage
Things are looking up for this debutante director as he readies for the release of Roadside Romeo
As we walk towards the Yash Raj Studios8217; canteen, a hangout frequented more by film journalists than by the cast and crew of films being shot there, debutante director Jugal Hansraj sounds excited over his forthcoming animation movie, Roadside Romeo. Ah, that boyish smile and those light green eyes still hold the charm. Sweet. 8220;With the release barely two weeks away; I have been practically living here, you know?8221; Yes, I see those bags that threaten to cloud the magic of his eyes.
Ever since the promos of Roadside Romeo went on air, Hansraj has been inundated with calls for interviews and promotional events. But the last-minute production work has kept him from obliging. The film will hit theatres on October 24.
As we stroll along the walkway of the manicured gardens, Hansraj narrates the genesis of the project. 8220;I am an animation film buff, and Adi producer Aditya Chpra knows that. So when he planned a high-end animation film for Yash Raj Films, I was his first choice. Initially, I was only to write the script, but then he insisted that I direct it too,8221; he says.
Roadside Romeo is the story of how Romeo, a pet dog in an affluent household, becomes a stray overnight when the family decides to shift out. Pampered all his life, Romeo feels helpless on the streets till he falls for Laila, a canine beauty, and then fights the local don, Anna Charlie. The voices to the characters have been lent by Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Javed Jaffery respectively.
8220;When I thought up the characters, I just knew Saif would fit best as Romeo is street smart and has style. Laila is a diva, and who else would8217;ve portrayed her better than Kareena?8221; says the actor, who was last seen as Sanjeev Mehta in Aaja Nachle. Jaffery was a natural choice for 8220;he is a versatile actor and would sound great in animation8221;.
Over tea, the debutante, like a pro, explains how the production work of an animation movie differs from that of a regular one. 8220;An animation film is made backwards,8221; he says. The dubbing happens first. The actors enact the dialogues during the recording, which is used as reference for expressions of the characters. Then begins the toil. 8220;We spend months getting the expression in each frame right. A single change takes a week to be completed as the whole frame needs to be redone,8221; he says.
The music has been catching on, I tell him. They cracked it all in 10 days flat, he boasts. 8220;And, I8217;ve got Saif and Javed sing a hip hop number for it too!8221;
Roadside Romeo has kept the director busy and his acting plans, for now, are on hold 8220;till something interesting comes up8221;. Hansraj is still best remembered for his role in the iconic movie Masoom. But he does not mind it. 8220;I am remembered for my good work. Why should I complain?8221; he asks.
A huge sigh escapes him as he watches the waiter carry the order to another table. He has been eating all his meals at the canteen of late, he complains. And what8217;s his favourite dish from the kitchen? 8220;Omelette sandwich,8221; he grins. And does he have any pets? 8220;Well, now I do.8221; Toucheacute;.
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