Rajiv Mehra's long-running and immensely entertaining television serial Office Office is being made into a film. He talks about taking on corruption on the big screen
Rajiv Mehra's long-running and immensely entertaining television serial Office Office is being made into a film. He talks about taking on corruption on the big screenu00a0
What prompted you to make the film?
The fact that we could take the original concept to the next level with our film, Chala Mussaddi Office Office. While making the serial in 2002-2003, we had thought of turning it into a film. Unfortunately, we couldn't, since it was running successfully on TV. Once we completed our obligation with the channel in 2008, we thought of realising our dream. In the film, Mussaddilal is a retired school teacher, who is now surviving on pension. Due to a miscommunication, the pension department believes he is dead. Trouble kicks off when he tries to obtain his pension. 
All the characters from the original serial will be part of the film
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The film tackles corruption, which is topical right now.
A lot of what's going on is our own fault -- we do things that are unethical. We cannot shift all blame on the takers (of bribes); some blame has to be borne by givers too. The problem is that the system has become chronically ill. People are resigned to the fact that they must pay a bribe. This has to change. I am glad the country has given birth to several movements that are combating corruption. Maybe, we will live in a better place in future.
Why do you think satire works?
It works because the audience either identifies with the common man, or recalls a time when he too was in a similar situation. People enjoy themselves when they relate to the story.
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Pankaj Kapur who plays Mussaddilal is all set to release his own directorial debut, Mausam. Was there a clash of priorities?
I have completed my film, and don't require Pankaj now on a day-to-day basis.
Is it true that he is not promoting your film?
There are twenty thousand things for a director to do once a film is complete. Pankaj and I talk everyday and discuss his inability to promote our film because of (his preoccupation with) Mausam. He cannot do much. It is a huge loss to me. That's life.
Why have you chosen to keep the cast the same as in the serial?
The four characters from the serial -- Asawari Joshi, Sanjay Mishra, Deven Bhojani and Hemant Pandey -- were as loved by the viewers as Pankaj was. They are brilliant actors. It will be stupid on my part not to retain them in the film. For instance, Pankaj's character could have been played by Amitabh Bachchan, but I don't think it would have worked for the viewer.
Your father FC Mehra was a noted Bollywood producer. There have been recent reports of a property dispute among your brothers.
That's personal. I hope everything is sorted out in time. My father was a partner in a company called Eagle Theatres. He held 19 per cent of the stake while 81 per cent belonged to his partners. The majority decided to sell a certain property as a business proposition. I am nobody to sell it. In fact, none of my brothers have the authority to sell it because it is not ours; it belongs to that company. My brothers and I have no differences.
So, in a way your father's film production company is making a comeback with this film.
In 2001, we turned to TV because the the business model for Bollywood was changing. We are back with a bang.
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