Actors today seem to be donning several hats. After directing their own productions, they are now trying their hand at writing stories for their films.
An increasing number of actors have taken to writing for their own productions
Actors today seem to be donning several hats. After directing their own productions, they are now trying their hand at writing stories for their films. Joining this list are actors including Ajay Devgan, Salman Khan, Abhay Deol, Kunal Kapoor, Lara Dutta and Aftab Shivdasani.
While Ajay wrote for his directorial debut U, Me Aur Hum, Salman has written for his forthcoming project Veer, a period film (not to mention that he ideated for the commercial bomb Chandramukhi while Baaghi was appreciated).
Also Abhay Deol’s idea is being shot by Anurag Kashyap in Dev D, Kunal Kapoor is working on his own script and Lara was reported to be contemplating penning a romantic comedy. Moreover, Aftab is ready with a romantic script.
It must also be mentioned that Aamir Khan had a strong hand in the screenplay of Taare Zameen Par.
But the big question is why have these actors turned to writing scripts? Bollywood scholar Derek Bose says, “If an actor is writing scripts it implies that he wants to take up direction. It’s the first step towards becoming a director. But, in most cases they would write for their own production as in U, Me Aur Hum.” He adds, “Don’t expect them to leave acting and take up scriptwriting. Actors can’t live without acting.”
But do producers find such scripts commercially viable? “It’s a huge publicity for the film if someone like Salman Khan has written it,” says Vipul Shah adding, “But a producer cannot fund a project simply if it’s written by a star. The script should have substance. We need our money back in the end. We can’t settle for losses.”
What is the take of talented writer-directors like Anurag Kashyap and Sriram Raghavan regarding this trend?
“If someone has a real good story to tell, it doesn’t matter if that person is a spot boy or an actor,” says Sriram adding, “We need good scripts and if we get them from actors then we have nothing to say.”
Do filmmakers feel wary about actors writing scripts since that could amount to controlling the filmmaking process and stealing the limelight?
“If the actor is the protagonist of the film, he will hog the limelight. That’s true in any script,” was Subhash Ghai’s take. He adds, “Traditionally, many actors including myself have become writers and then filmmakers. There’s nothing wrong in it.”
Hollywood producer Ashok Amritraj sums up the debate saying, “It is great material that attracts the audience. So at the end of the day it is content that matters not who is writing it.”
s_banerjee@dnaindia.net & g_prithwish@dnyaindia.net
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