Struggling to reach the top

Director Ken Ghosh created waves when his directorial debut Ishq Vishq, which also launched Shahid Kapoor, became a superhit in 2003.  He directed Fida the year after that, and is now back with his latest offering Chance Pe Dance, which stars Shahid and Genelia D’Souza.

How does he describe his journey from Ishq Vishq to Chance Pe Dance? “I had Fida in the middle and co-produced Chain Kulli Ki Main Kulli, which was great fun.”  He adds, “I am not at a stage in life, where I can look back.” He says, “I don’t make any plans. After all, in the end, it’s about what happens to you, and Chance Pe Dance is also about that.”
Further explaining the film, in which Shahid plays the role of a struggling artist, he says, “Anyone who is struggling or has struggled in life will be able to relate to it.”

What about the reports of the film being similar to Shahid’s life?

“Shahid has also struggled to make it big as he had no godfather in the industry. But the similarity ends there,” he answers. How about Ken’s struggle in the industry? “Yes, it’s been a struggle for me too,” he admits. “But in life, you learn something new everyday
and one thing leads to  another.”

Be it Ishq Vishq, Fida or Chance Pe Dance, each film of Ken has had Shahid in the lead. “Yes, we started the casting of Ishq Vishq in 2001. So I have known Shahid for almost ten years now,” he exclaims.  Can Chance Pe Dance be called a romantic comedy? He disagrees.

“Chance Pe Dance has got romance but it’s not romantic, it’s got humour but it’s not a comedy. It’s got emotions but it’s not a drama and it’s got dance but it’s not a musical. It’s basically a feel good film.”

What are his comments on Jiah Khan being replaced by Genelia D’Souza as the leading lady of the film?

“It was a decision we had to take,” he says. “There is no question of talent here, and the role of the leading lady changed when we re-wrote the script.” Currently, he is working only on one project. “There is a script with Neil Nitin Mukesh in the lead, but nothing else has been finalised,” he says.

When he is not working on a film, Ken loves to fly aircraft. “I am a huge fan of flying,” he admits. He is also a movie-buff. “The last movie I watched was a German film called In July,” he answers.

Does world cinema inspire him?

 “I suppose when you see something and like it, it will inspire you in some way. But the biggest inspiration for  me is life itself,” he signs  off.