Shahid and dad Pankaj Kapoor to act together

In Kapoor sr's directorial debut, which goes on floors shortly. Pankaj might do a cameo

In Kapoor sr's directorial debut, which goes on floors shortly. Pankaj might do a cameo

The original plan was to only direct his first film, and let his son Shahid Kapoor take the lead from there. But now giving in to pressure from all around, Pankaj Kapoor has decided to make an appearance in his directorial debut.



He admits, "It would be a fleeting appearance. Like the ones Alfred Hitchcock would make in his own films. But I'd largely like to concentrate on making the film and staying behind the camera."

Something meaty
Speaking excitedly about working with his son in Mausam, Pankaj says, "The idea was to do something meaty and challenging. We should be starting in a few months. We're into pre-production. I've written a lot of scripts, which I couldn't direct and could only star in. When Shahid became an actor, he expressed a desire to be directed by me. I thought it'd be wonderful to work with my own son. But I signed him only after I saw the potential in him that I was ready to direct him. We've been working on the script for three years. Meanwhile a really wonderful thing has happened. Shahid became a big star. I'm very proud of him as his father. And Shahid's stardom is a happy happening for Mausam."

A big USP
Pankaj is not apprehensive about people's expectations from the father-son duo. "I know people would be curious to know what we're making together. That would be a big USP for me. Shahid has great potential. People have always seen him as a chocolate-box hero. But in Kaminey, we saw another side of him. For

Naya naam...

Incidentally, the title Mausam for Pankaj Kapoor's film may change. "We'll try and find an alternative name. I know the association with the film by Gulzarsaab (also called Mausam) is too strong. The format of that film was inspired by Ingmar Bergman's Wild Strawberries. That Mausam is far superior to what I'm trying to achieve in my first film as director."

Mausam, I required an actor with range. I've a gut feeling my son is going to surprise not just the audience, but me as well."

Beyond this Pankaj is reluctant to talk about Mausam, "It's a love story. I plan to bring my own sensibilities together with Shahid's."

Been busy
We don't get to see enough of Pankaj on screen. Laughs the picky actor, "I did two films in the last one year Bhavna Talwar's Happi and Rajiv Mehra's Office Office. I played the character on television for 5-6 years. Playing the common man is easy for me. I come from a middle-class family. My father was a professor. It was an academic family. The day-to-day problems in Office Office are all familiar to me. I'm fortunate to get substantial roles. I've built up a reputation for turning down unsubstantial roles. For a year now, I've said no to all acting assignments because of the film I'm directing. I've just been writing and preparing for Mausam."