‘SRK’s success is due to his mother’s dua’

Aziz Mirza talks to AVEEK BHOWMIK about his return to filmmaking after a sabbatical, bonding with Shah Rukh Khan and Kismat Konnection

Aziz Mirza’s latest film Kismat Konnection, starring Shahid Kapoor and Vidya Balan, is special for the filmmaker more than one reason. First of all, it marks Aziz’s return to filmmaking after five years. His last film Chalte Chalte, had released in 2003. After that, the death of his wife had kept him away from the arclights till he decided to direct Kismat Konnection.

And secondly, Aziz’s son Haroon, has co-directed the film and his daughter Rahila has conceptualised the project. Aziz says, “I couldn’t sit back at home anymore. My children began saying ‘get up daddy and start working’. Then this script happened. And even before I realised, the film is ready.”

Kismat Konnection is also the first film made by Aziz that does not have Shah Rukh Khan associated with it. “It didn’t require Shah Rukh. It’s about a young boy. Juhi (Chawla) had said ‘this is a Shah Rukh role 15 years ago’. But now 15 years have passed,” he says.

Though Shah Rukh is not a part of this film, Aziz still has a tremendous bonding with him. They both, along with Juhi, had set up Dreamz Unlimited, their production house. So how come Kismat Konnection was not part of the Dreamz stable? “Dreamz comprised Shah Rukh, Juhi and myself. But here there was no Shah Rukh or Juhi. Inshaallah, the moment I make a film with Shah Rukh, it will be under the Dreamz banner, or now maybe even Red Chillies,” says Aziz.

Aziz’s association with Shah Rukh spans more than two decades.

They have worked together in Chalte Chalte, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Yes Boss and Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani.
Aziz also directed Shah Rukh for the TV serial Circus. However, not many know that Shah Rukh had even acted in another tele-serial with Aziz before Circus. “I started working with Shah Rukh in the TV serial Ummeed, which nobody knows. It’s one of Shah Rukh’s best performances,” he says

Aziz also goes on to narrate an interesting episode with Shah Rukh’s mother. “I had met her about a week or 10 days before she passed away. She asked me ‘will my son become a star’. I said ‘I don’t know if your son would become a star. But I can assure you that he will never run out of work. He’s a good actor. And good things will happen to him’. Mashaallah, today he is gone a lot ahead of his time.

And it’s all because of his mother’s dua. Wherever he’s reached today, it’s because of his mother,” he says.

Coming back to his own son, Haroon, Aziz says he had directed some portions of Chalte Chalte. Those days Aziz’s wife was unwell. “I had to constantly shuttle between the hospital and shooting. It was Haroon who took care of the shooting,” says the proud father, adding, “Now, I feel it’s high time he made his own film.”
b_aveek@dnaindia.net