'It's a huge loss for our industry': B-town stars mourn death of Kundan Shah
When Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro first burst onto the silver screen, it became one of the foremost films to attempt a dark satire on Indian politics and red tapeism. A prolific group of actors, screenplay writers and makers came together to make the film a smashing success a cult classic. From Naseeruddin Shah’s struggling photographer to Satish Shah’s corrupt police inspector, the role of every single character was woven with perfection.
However, the man who created the hard-hitting storyline and helmed the film as director Kundan Shah is no more. The director suffered a heart attack and passed away in the early hours of October 17, leaving the industry grieving.
Veteran actress Neena Gupta recalls the early days of struggle together on the sets of Jaane Bhi Do… fondly. “We were all strugglers in those days. I think it was Kundan’s first project as well and we had a tremendously fun time working together on the film. It was more like being a part of a theatre group than the kind of atmosphere you find at a film shoot today. We all knew each other as we were all trying to make our mark in the industry at the time. Kundan was one of the most focused people I have met. I remember once we were on a lunch break and he finished his food in five minutes and was ready to go back to shooting. Half of us hadn’t even started eating! That was just the kind of focus and dedication he had,” she smiles.
Producer Ramesh Turani, who also worked with the director, regrets the loss of such an inspiration to the film industry. “I got the news in the morning and I was in a state of shock. He was an iconic filmmaker it’s a huge loss for our industry. I have worked with so many directors but I haven’t come across anybody who is as sorted as this man was. He was so clear-headed and was so experienced. He would make sure producers are not in loss and make the film in a tight budget,” he sighs.
Perhaps almost as iconic as Jaane Bhi Do… was SRK’s movie Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa. Suchitra Krishnamoorthi, whose real breakthrough into Bollywood was with this movie, found herself shocked and saddened when she got the news as soon as she got into town from New Delhi. “He will always be special to me. I was very new when we did Kabhi Haa Kabhi Naa. He had a rough manner with actors. I used to cry a lot on sets but over the years, I got to know him, and I was very close to him. I used to go to his office sometimes. He was a good man. I was very much in touch with him over the years. In fact, I had promised him that I would take Kaveri (daughter) to his house and have lunch with him but that never happened. It just goes to show you that in life you should never defer things when you are supposed to do them,” she laments.
Perhaps a bit out-of-place in the world overrun with new media, public relations and social media, Shah was an old soul, confesses Neena. “He wasn’t very PR savvy or up-to-date with social media. But he was a one-of-a-kind director. It’s sad that he won’t be making any more films,” she elaborates.
Suchitra adds that she will remember him as a genius filmmaker in the industry. “He was a genius film maker he had many more stories in him. He will be well remembered as he has left his mark with some of India’s classics. Its really sad but he went peacefully, in his sleep. It’s a good way to go,” she says.
