Ferrari Ki Sawaari: Sharman Joshi's hard work pays off

Mumbai: He is not a stranger to filmdom, considering his father-in-law is veteran artist Prem Chopra and his sister Mansi Joshi is an actress and is married to actor-filmmaker Rohit Roy. But Sharman Joshi says connections don't work in showbiz and everyone has to prove his or her mettle to get recognition.

"You are at the mercy of people. No connections really help here (filmdom). You have to prove yourself. No one can fight the battle for you. It has been a lonely journey," Sharman Joshi told IANS in an interview.

After having been part of the industry for 13 years and having worked in 19 films, Sharman says there is no particular formula to succeed in showbiz.

The 33-year-old, who became a rage after portraying the bold and beautiful Silk in 'The Dirty Picture', will be seen in a Lavani item number 'Mala jau dya na ghari' in Vidhu Vinod Chopra Productions' 'Ferrari Ki Sawari'.
According to sources, Vidya insisted on being featured in a red sari instead of the traditional green attire for the Lavani number. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
If the success of 'The Dirty Picture' has revealed the 'sensual' side of Vidya Balan, it has also left her superstitious about the colour red. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
That's one reason she insisted on a red sari for her item number in 'Ferrari Ki Sawari'. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
Vidya, who sizzled in a red hot sari in the first teaser of 'The Dirty Picture', feels people were unable to picture her sensual side, and so she was never offered an item number before. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
Actress Vidya Balan is screening her first ever item number in 'Ferrari Ki Sawari' to a group of Lavani dancers to ensure that it is perfect. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
The 34-year-old has been learning authentic Lavani steps for the song 'Mala Jao Dya Na Ghari' from a group of Kohlapur dancers and decided to show them the song before it hits the screens. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
"We want the song to look purely authentic, although we are in talks with a bunch of Lavani dancers from Kolhapur for the first test screening," said director Rajesh Mapuskar. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
The movie stars Sharman Joshi in the lead role. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
It is produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
Balan spent three weeks rehearsing the dance step with the troupe from Kolhapur. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
"It is a great song. It is strange that I was once criticised for my lack of dancing skills but now have been asked to do an item number. I am not a dancer but now I have started enjoying dancing after 'The Dirty Picture'," Balan had said. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
'Ferrari Ki Sawari', set to be released on June 15, revolves around a child, his father (Sharman Joshi) and grandfather (Boman Irani). A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
It is about a child's dream to play cricket, and in a bid to fulfill his dream enters the twisted tale of a Ferrari. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
The story takes an interesting turn when Sharman is instructed to steal Sachin's Ferrari. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
The theatrical trailer of 'Ferrari Ki Sawari' shows Sharman mentioning that Sachin owns a Ferrari. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
Actor Sharman Joshi-starrer 'Ferrari Ki Sawari' has become the first Indian film shot at the Lord's in England. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra told reporters it was tough to secure permission for the shoot. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
This is the first film shot at the Lord's stadium. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
Director Rajesh Mapuskar said: The Dirty Picture was such a huge hit that Balan feels that red is her lucky colour. The result is looking fantastic. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
Directed by Raju Hirani's assistant, Rajesh Mapuskar, 'Ferrari Ki Sawari' is about a person who believes in dreaming big no matter how difficult it is to achieve and wants his son to have the same passion for his dream. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
The film is a heart-warming tale of unconditional love between a father, played by Sharman Joshi, and his son and is about the young boy's dream to play cricket at the Lords stadium. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
The film, also starring Boman Irani, releases on June 15. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
Produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra 'Ferrai Ki Sawari' marks the next big release from his production after '3 Idiots' and the 'Munnabhai' series. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
There is a buzz cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar is likely to make an appearance in 'Ferrari Ki Sawari'. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
There master blaster has not only allowed the makers to use his name in the film but has also agreed to do a small cameo, for which he will shoot after the IPL. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
While the makers remained tight-lipped about the much hyped cameo, Chopra said he is happy to use Sachin's name in the film. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.
"There is a mention of him in the film. We are happy that we got to use his name in the film. For that (special appearance) you will have to see the film. I can't say about it now. I would love everyone to watch the film," Chopra said. A still from 'Mala Jau Dya Na Ghari'.

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$Ferrari Ki Sawaari: Sharman\'s hard work pays off$

Sharman Joshi says connections don\'t work in showbiz and everyone has to prove his mettle to get recognition.

"There are no rules for the success of any film and that's the beauty of cinema and art," he said, adding that there are no norms "as long as you are convinced about the script".

Though he proved his mettle in films like 'Life... In A Metro', 'Rang De Basanti', 'Golmaal' and 'Three Idiots', all these films had an ensemble cast.

For the first time, the responsibility of carrying a film on his shoulders alone came with 'Ferrari Ki Sawari'. If the film's subject was typical, there was no female lead either. Besides, it was Rajesh Mapuskar's first directorial venture.

The only frill attached to the film was Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who produced it.

But Sharman has triumphed at the box office as the Rs 10 crore film earned about Rs 14 crore in the first three days after its release and is managing to keep the cash registers ringing. Audiences liked his performance, the concept and the presentation.

Overwhelmed with encouraging response, the 33-year-old says that people within the industry too reacted positively.

"The industry has responded exceptionally well. From Mr. Amitabh Bachchan to Sanjay Dutt to Anil Kapoor - they have really liked the film. I have got a wonderful response so far and it's a wonderful feeling," Sharman said.

"After the success of 'Ferrari Ki Sawaari' all I can say is that I want to do more good quality cinema."

Right now, mainstream big budget 'Rowdy Rathore', which stars Akshay Kumar, has done good business by crossing the Rs 100 crore mark and an upbeat Sharman says all kinds of films are important for an actor and for the industry.

"All kinds of films are important and it is up to you what choice you make. Even I have been part of an entertaining film, but it has to have some sense. Going back to my past, I did 'Style' and 'Golmaal' and I enjoyed being part of them," he said.

Appreciating the creative changes in filmdom, he said: "I feel that the Hindi film industry has evolved over the years. All kinds of cinema is being accepted in today's date. A lot of small budget films are doing well."