“I am now working on the sequel of 16 December,” Mani Shankar on 23 years of Indian Cinema’s first fluent futuristic flick | Hindi Movie News – The Times of India

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Mani Shankar is a filmmaker whose work has at all times pushed the boundaries of typical storytelling, mixing intense motion with sharp social commentary. Identified for his 2002 thriller 16 December, which explored the inside vulnerabilities of a nation in a time of rising world threats, Shankar has carved a definite area of interest in Indian cinema. His movies are marked by a deep sense of realism, a aptitude for gripping narratives, and a capability to impress thought of the underlying points that form society.(*23*)On this candid interview with ETimes, Shankar takes us via his inventive journey, providing an enchanting take a look at the making of 16 December, the challenges of working with a various and proficient solid, and the profound message embedded in the movie’s screenplay. With 23 years since its launch, Shankar displays on the lasting influence of his work and offers an intriguing glimpse into the making of 16D2, the anticipated sequel to 16 December, which guarantees to take audiences on one other thrilling experience via the complicated panorama of modern India.(*23*)Your movie, 16 December, didn’t get its due when it was launched on 22 March, 2002?(*23*)I carried the script of 16 December in my coronary heart for a lot of years earlier than it grew to become a film. The core of the story was seen in every single place: as a nation, we have been sowing the seeds of our destruction, and the enemies inside have been extra dangerous than these exterior. Our inside corruption, apathy, and rampant greed had made us weak to exploitation—by somebody as intelligent as Dost Khan, ably portrayed by Gulshan Grover.(*23*)How did you handle to discover a producer for this audacious undertaking?(*23*)In 1998, I had a memorable narration with producer Shripal Morakhia of iDream Productions at the Taj Membership in Mumbai. The assembly lasted till the wee hours of the morning, and we lastly shook arms on making the film. At 2 AM, there wasn’t any paper round to draft a fundamental MOU, so we used a lodge serviette to rapidly sketch out a draft settlement!(*23*)The fascinating solid added significantly to the aura of the apocalypse.(*23*)Milind Soman was an apparent selection—he had the appears to be like, panache, and perspective for the lead position. No one warned me it wouldn’t be simple to work with him. Milind would should be endlessly satisfied of each little element. He was my nemesis, mentor, and lead actor rolled into one! I used to be privileged to work with Danny Denzongpa. I’ve hardly ever met such a effective gentleman and excellent skilled, and he is a superb inspiration. Every time he obtained upset over one thing, Danny would go right into a nook and sing an alaap loudly.(*23*)I do know Danny likes to sing…(*23*)Sure, that was his approach of centering himself! Very efficient. I like to recommend everybody strive it! Anjali Joshi was my EP, first AD, inventive sounding board, manufacturing designer, and dialogue author all rolled into one! We have been clearly on a shoestring funds, and he or she expertly bootstrapped the shoot, managing with pennies wherever attainable. With Gulshan Grover, I realized how a lot a dedicated artist can contribute to a movie. He would redesign his personal garments, do his personal make-up, and work endlessly on his dialogue deliveries. Watching him, I realized one thing new day by day of the shoot! Sushant Singh was a shock. Initially, his position wasn’t very huge, however the approach he breathed life into each scene meant there was no approach I couldn’t hold extending his character—till he emerged as a hero in his personal proper.(*23*)I’m wondering what occurred to the beautiful Dipannita Sharma?(*23*)With Dipannita Sharma, it was love at first sight. Throughout the audition, I spotted the worth of pulling in a lead actor who had by no means labored in a film earlier than. She introduced a pure innocence and awkwardness that no quantity of ‘performing’ might have created. Her unconscious efficiency gave a lot gravitas. She grew to become a form of soul power of the movie. Light, decided, and relentless, her female vitality pervaded each sequence.(*23*)The screenplay was a conundrum.(*23*)I labored endlessly to create a seemingly baffling jigsaw puzzle of a screenplay—the place many random items appeared to suit initially and kind a sample—however solely once they obtained rearranged did a brand new reality emerge. Hidden behind the puzzle was a shadow of the antagonist—silently pulling strings and main occasions towards a catastrophic climax. When he was revealed, we didn’t actually see him; we noticed ourselves, our personal flaws and weaknesses as a nation. That was the profound second after we realized how weak we had turn into as a rustic and the way simple it was to convey destruction upon ourselves. That was the soul of the movie; it was tragic, true, and irredeemable.(*23*)And now, 16 December Half 2?(*23*)Sure, now I’m really writing a form of sequel. I’m calling it 16D2 for now. It is a trendy take on the state of the nation at present. It will likely be motion-packed however with deep, enduring emotion—some of which we have now by no means seen earlier than in cinema. It will likely be out in 2026. Actors have modified, occasions have modified, however the state of affairs will not be a lot totally different. We’re nonetheless weak. However in a approach we are able to’t ever think about. 16D2 might be an utter shock thriller of a form hardly ever ever seen earlier than. I’m assured it is going to match and surpass the response the unique movie obtained 23 years in the past.(*23*)