Click to play videoMumbai: In the wake of all the Indian Idol-frenzy we bring another perspective on singing idol competitions - that of Manish Acharya who's Shabana Azmi-starrer Loins of Punjab Presents is all about idol mania.
“This one road that I was taking was very much corporate and safe and one day I asked myself, ‘Is this what I would do for the rest of my life? Like when I am 50 years old, do I want to be doing this?’ And the answer is let me try this,” said Acharya.
And so Manish Acharya quit his job and decided to move to filmmaking.
He signed up for film school, and now his debut film Loins of Punjab Presents has opened to some rave reviews.
With positive word of mouth, box-office collections are also expected to go up in the days ahead. A complete outsider to the film business, Acharya is just about getting used to his new role.
“The closest we have got to films is watch films. We don’t get invited to film parties. We don’t know anybody. Everybody in my family is just like what are you doing? Why are you giving away good job and doing this?
The film, a laugh-riot about a fictitious singing contest in New Jersey, features Shabana Azmai, Darshan Zariwala and Ayesha Dharker in its ensemble cast.
Despite its low budget and simple look, the film does seem to have touched a chord with people.
“I am getting calls calling me Manishji and Manish sirji which I am not quite used to and they are asking for meetings and what we can do together. So yes, calls have started and I have been getting SMSs from filmmakers also,” said Acharya.
So is Acharya going the Nagesh Kukunoor way - small beginnings that lead to bigger projects? All we can say is, we hope so. And we'll be keeping a keen eye on him in the days to come.
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