Khelein Hum8230; hits a patriotic note

The music of Ashutosh Gowarikers Khelein Hum Jee Haan Sey was released at a glittering event in a Mumbai hotel. The theme of the evening was red and white and the entire crew and guests were dressed in this exotic color combination. The event kicked off with Gowariker greeting the guests,and an emotional speech by Manini Chatterjee on whose book Do And Die,the film is based. The entire cast including Abhishek Bachchan,Deepika Padukone,Sikandar Kher and others stepped on stage dressed as their characters in the film and introduced themselves. Abhishek plays the role of idealistic leader Surjya Sen and Deepika is Kalpana Dutt. The story is set in 1930s British India in the port of Chittagong and represents a little-known chapter in history: a revolution on one night by a band of 64 revolutionaries,56 teenagers,five defiant revolutionaries and two determined young women and an idealistic leader Surjya Sen.

The music was released by Amitabh Bachchan while Jaya Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan cheered from the front row. Others who attended the event were Anupam Kher and Kirron Kher,Sunita Gowariker,Ayan Mukerji and the Maharaja of Sawantwadi where the film was shot. The lyrics have been penned by Javed Akhtar and the music is composed by Sohail Sen.

Abhisheks reason for doing the film was simple. He wanted to work with the director and know more about the revolution. I was embarrassed when Ashutosh came to me with the script because I did not know anything about the Chittagong revolution. I felt the story had to be told as it would be inspirational to all the youngsters today, said Abhishek,whose sentiments were echoed by co-star Deepika. As for preparing themselves for this period film,Abhishek said that since there was very little photographic documentation he depended on Ashutoshs extensive research of two years. Ashutosh research was detailed and as an actor I tried to imbibe his spirit. Physically,I just had to shave off my stubble. Anyway the film is not about any character,but about the Chittagong uprising, said the actor.

Deepika said that the efforts she puts in a role are the same whether it is Khelein Hum8230; or a breezy romance like Break Ke Baad. As an actress the process is the same. But when you portray part of history you have to be careful about the body language, she said.

The evening ended with a sumptuous spread of Bengali cuisine.