Rapper Naezy feels blessed. Much has been written about his inspirational rags-to-riches story, and now Bollywood too seems interested in him.
Naezy's real name is Naved Shaikh, a rapper from the gullies from the slums of Kurla, and Zoya Akhtar’s next project is based on him. “I have been working on this project for the past 18 months. Zoya first heard of me while she was editing Dil Dhadakne Do (2015) and saw the video of my song, Aafat. She was surprised that Mumbai slums have so much talent. Our first meeting was at Blue Frog in Lower Parel (shut down last August) where we were performing for MTV Indies (off air since last September). A common friend, Ankur Tiwari, arranged a few more meetings,” he told a tabloid.
The filmmaker then watch a documentary titled Bombay 70 based on Naezy and decided to make a film on him, says Naezy adding, “Zoya also met the documentary’s director to discuss the basic plot. She and I had heart-to-heart chats on my journey; she wanted to crack the ambience of my slum. I was shocked when Zoya came visiting, because she makes movies about rich people (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Dil Dhakadne Do). She also met my friends to understand my background.”
The 25-year-old rapper is yet to read the script’s final draft and he has big tasks ahead of him. He reveals that Zoya wants him to pen dialogues and prep Ranveer Singh, who will be playing Naezy in the movie, for body language, mannerism and diction right. “The dialogues are in Hindi and English, but once we are on board, we will help turn it the way we speak. She also intends to retain some of my original tracks in the film. Ankur will supervise the music.”
The wordsmith has met Ranveer quite a few times and is happy that the actor has promoted him on multiple platforms. “I like the guy. We worked together for a song in Hey Bro (2015). He is a versatile actor and I have no doubts that he can effortlessly play an emperor in Padmavati and a rapper in this film.”
However, Naezy confesses that he was anxious to lend his story to the big screen. “I didn’t want the film to become a dramatic mess. I shared my worries with Zoya and she explained that there is bound to be some fiction in the narrative. [But] I am certain this film will change the way hip-hop is perceived in India. Here, it has a negative image because of mainstream artistes. Originally, it isn’t about passing lewd comments at women. My focus is on bringing about a change in society and mindsets.”
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 "Bollywood, Rapper Naezy, Naved Shaikh,Zoya Akhtar,Ranveer Singh, Aafat,Bombay,Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara,Dil Dhadakne Do,")
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