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A Masoom Stint

Comments: 19

Views: 1622

Posted on: 24 April 2009 at 12:00am

Very few people know of this stint of mine on the silver screen, which happened at the age of nine in the film Masoom. This was the first stage or experience of my life in this industry which I am here to share with you guys today. I had played the role of Sayyed Jaffrey's son which was Shekhar Kapur's directorial debut and coincidentally the producer happened to be my grandfather's neighbor. My family was based in Delhi and so when the film required a child for that role, instead of flying a kid from Mumbai for the shoot I was asked whether I would want to do the role. I very happily agreed!
 
In fact this film opens with my Grand Fathers shot, Mr. Jairaj, who was Jugal Hansraj's caretaker. This is the only film we worked in together.  In one scene I had to hit Jugal Hansraj due to which he refused to give any shot with me until he would be allowed to hit me back.  Later on Jugal and I became very good friends though the bickering and fighting did continue, which Shekhar Kapur had to many a times intervene and solve.

Very few people know of this first experience in the industry though my school had publicized it really well but I have never chosen to mention it because it is kind of embarrassing . Vibhaji (Kaushalya from Bidaai) had called me one day as she said she had recognized me while watching Masoom.  I first refused to accept its me but later had to give in. She saved the clipping on her phone and showed it to the whole unit, it was really embarrassing! I joked with my bidaai actors that I had acted 28 years ago so that made me the senior most actor, even senior to Alokji

The Masoom experience has taught me a lot. It has taught me some golden aspects of filmmaking which I still implement till date. Firstly, the method which Shekhar Kapur followed due to which in spite of being a directorial debut he successfully completed the film in a span of 2 months and the technique he used with children, I still keep it in mind for the presentation of the leads of my shows. He intelligently used the actors around the children to their advantage to take their acting to a superior note. Even if on that innocent face of Jugal, the addition of a single tear would do the trick! Likewise, when I present a totally raw actor, I ensure that he is in the company of superior actors and brilliant situations to enhance his character till he/she would learn the tricks and nuances of acting!

Looking back I really appreciate that I was part of this very beautiful film....

Yours Truly,

Rajan Shahi
 

Hidden Pages

Comments: 9

Views: 143

Posted on: 08 April 2009 at 12:00am

The Hidden Pages section will reveal some secrets and unknown facts about Rajan Shahi, his life and his work!  Stay tuned as these diary pages will be unraveled very soon....

Yours Truly,

Rajan Shahi