Nawazuddin Siddiqui has signed the next film of Rautu Ka Raaz director; Anand Surapar disclosed “It’s concerning the paris and chudails in Uttarakhand”
The recently-released film Rautu Ka Raaz has been lauded for its eccentricity, acting and locale. It is called so because the story takes place in a location called Rautu Ki Beli. Notably, director Anand Surapur’s previous movie, which was his debut as an actor for Farhan Akhtar before Rock On (2008), also had a title that mentioned a place. Anand was asked about this aspect by Parami News in an exclusive interview on his upcoming film and much more.
When asked about his film titles having names of towns or cities. Anand Surapur laughed and replied, “No. I actually had this story before The Fakir Of Venice. The name ‘The Fakir Of Venice’ was very apt because it is about a fakir and is set in Venice. Rautu Ka Raaz was first titled Love Is Blind, but during the shoot we discovered that it gives away an important plot point of the film (laughs). Well, my initial idea was also to shoot it through a perspective of a blind character.”
Anand clarified, “That’s why we decided to call this village’s film Rautu Ki Beli as well as go there for shooting. However, the producers (Zee Studios) were against this title since according to them does not say anything about the mystery part of the story. This is how we ended up with Rautu Ka Raaz.”
Anand Surapar said Zee reports that he has bee satisfied with audience reaction. There were 70% good reviews. But who wants everybody to like his movie! This can never happen on Earth.
About Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer Anand Surapur revealed some interesting facts: “Initially our plan was to locate the movie in Mumbai’s school for blind children. However, because such a decision would create difficulties for students within that school, they refused to give us permission filming.
So, we started searching other places around India until I reached Uttarakhand. Where I fell in love with its beauty and near by blind school located around there too which made us change our entire movie setting. And fortunately now as also it was a good decision as it would make it appear more of a city based thriller.”
Anand Surapur said, “I mean fortunately we got lucky with the casting.” He further explained, “We had blind students from Mumbai and even from one of the famous government blind schools in Dehradun. We thought of shooting there but again, it was located in Dehradun city. At that point, we decided to go to Rautu Ka Beli which is one and half hours drive from Dehradun.”
“It’s quite peaceful and relaxing shooting in Uttarakhand”, he said. We shot there in a normal, government school, that too in the holidays. The bathrooms and the steps were not in good condition. We did some repairs on them including painting the whole school.”
“How long did you shoot?” Anand Surapur made a shocking revelation. When asked this question just like all other previous answer he answered in fractions of seconds saying, “It took 25 days to shoot this film. I even shot The Fakir Of Venice within 23 days. I am a very fast shooter. (laughs) I am every producer’s dream!
His next project is already at an advanced stage. “After Rautu Ka Raaz was doing well Nawaz bhai called me up saying ‘let’s do the other film also naa… the mystery one set in Uttarakhand’ (the director had narrated the idea to me before). He has given us dates for December also.
“What is it about?” he asked; Anand replied: It deals with paris and chudails in Uttarakhand state. Which has many ghost stories.”
It is believe that Pari Tibba, in Mussoorie is the place where if you go and when the fairy loves you, off she takes you. Many youngsters hang out there for this cause (laughs).”
But he had two scripts in hand as well, “However, one is a murder mystery too. So, we are determining which one to make. Nonetheless, looking at the earlier script; I think the pari one seems more interesting.”
In his view, this tale of a fairy-witch will click with the audience because it is different. He explained that “It’s very hard to differentiate content (within this genre) from another. After some point people also become bored of it. Sometimes, when you make something unique then only it will work. It’s a clutter-breaking thing actually.”
He added that “I did music videos like ‘Bulla Ki Jana’ with Rabbi Shergill and ‘Teri Deewani’ with Kailash Kher.” So always my focus was on things that people can relate to or are also clutter-breaking.”
Rautu Ka Raaz released directly on Zee5. Will his next film with Nawazuddin Siddiqui be release in theatres? Anand Surapar smilingly replied: “Releasing a film in theaters remains every director and producer’s dream come true even me included wants release Rautu Ka Raaz on big screen but market mood looks direct OTT releases for now so once movie is done we’ll see.”
