Tête-à-Tête with the cast of Chupan Chupai
Chupan Chupai, a comedy-thriller starring Ahsan Khan and Neelam Munir in lead roles, as well as Talat Hussain, Arshad Mehmood, Ali Rizvi, Adnan Jaffer, Sakina Samo and Javed Shiekh released worldwide on December 29th, 2017.
The film has a ‘youth-oriented script’ as it revolves around a group of young unemployed men who want to make quick money. As a result, they resort to dramatic measures like kidnapping and other hooliganisms.
The movie also marks the directorial debut of Mohsin Ali, of Na Maloom Afraad fame who has also written the script. It is produced by Zayed Sheikh and Ray Khan.
The film marks the comeback of Ahsan Khan on the silver screen after almost three years, the students from NAPA, National Academy of Performing Acts, make their film debut in the movie as well. This film also marks the debut of Neelam Munir in the Pakistan film industry.
The comic-thriller is based in Karachi and Dubai. GLOSS talks to the cast to know more about the new narrative that is being introduced in the industry with Chupan Chupai.
Tell us about the movie ‘Chupan Chupai.’
Neelam: I am very excited about it as it is my debut film. Chupan Chupai is full of comedy and being my first movie I didn’t want it to be a stereotypical love story and instead wanted my character to entertain the audience. I am sure people are going to enjoy it.
Ahsan: It is a comedy, full of surprises. I feel this is going to be something that everyone will enjoy. It’s a genre that appeals to the masses. This film has everything that the youth would want to watch. People are looking forward to it because of the new faces, fresh content and a new style of narrative that is being introduced in the Pakistani industry.
Ali: It is a fusion of three genres; Crime, Action, Comedy. It revolves around the theme of unemployment and how that leads to crimes, but with a comic touch to it as it is a movie. We rehearsed the movie for a month before actually filming it.
I was shooting Udaari which was a very heavy and demanding role as it dealt with a very serious issue of child abuse. Thus, when the script was offered to me at that time, it was very refreshing, and I decided to take on a comedic role.
What is your role like in the movie?
Neelam: I play the character of Pari, who is not only a dream girl but also a mastermind. One can say she is a beauty with brains in the movie.
Ahsan: I play the character of Babu and as I always say: “The film is not about me, rather I am about the film.” We are a group of equally significant characters. Babu is a very vulnerable, careless and somewhat naive character in a sweet way. He is very ambitious but is always looking for a quick way out.
Ali: My character Koki is a little goofy and lives in Hyderabad. He aims to be successful in life and for that he gets married and runs away with the wife’s jewellery on the wedding night. Then he keeps running and lands in the company of Ahsan Khan.
How was it working with each other and the debutante actors for the movie?
Neelam: It was an enjoyable experience. Everyone was very professional and passionate about their work. Ahsan and I did not interact a lot on the sets, making sure the new guys don’t feel left out.
Ahsan: I don’t really consider them new actors, as they have considerable theatre experience and deserve equal attention from the media that Neelum and I are getting. They have a bright future ahead of them, and all of them did a fantastic job in the film.
Ali: Both of them are very humble and down-to-earth. They welcomed us, the new actors, very warmly. Throughout the journey of Chupan Chupai, they have helped us in every possible way.
Who was the most annoying on set?
Ali: Me, because every time before the shots I would not talk to anyone to keep my focus sharp. I would be roaming around with my headphones, and the director used to keep yelling my name to come act for the shot. I would not realise it until I had things thrown in my direction.
What appealed to you the most about Chupan Chupai?
Neelam: My character and the script; it really spoke to me. I knew I had to do it.
Ahsan: I was shooting Udaari which was a very heavy and demanding role as it dealt with a very serious issue of child abuse. Thus, when the script was offered to me at that time, it was very refreshing, and I decided to take on a comedic role.
Ali: The script and the director Mohsin Ali. Mohsin was my class fellow back in university days, so I know how it is working with him. Friendship aside, he is a very professional person.
One thing you learned about your co-stars on the sets?
Neelam: Ahsan taught me how to convince people to understand and implement my point of view. The new actors made me realise that this is serious work, as films are very different from TV.
Ahsan: The newcomers are very enthusiastic and hard-working. Their passion was infectious. New people in the field always give their best shot at what they do, compared to people who have already been in the industry for quite some time. Yet, I feel that new or experienced, everybody should work as if it’s their very first time.
Ali: Ahsan is one of the most humble person I have met and Neelam was very cooperative throughout.
How are the films different from TV?
Neelam: They are very different regarding emotions, scene setting and filming.
One scene that was very difficult to shoot?
Neelam: There was an action scene which was quite similar to the Tomb Raider films that, in my opinion, was very challenging; physically.
Ahsan: The only challenging scene to film for me was when I had to drive a really old car that kept breaking down despite repairs. I had to drive it all around Karachi for the shoot.
Ali: The scene when Neelam had to jump off from the top of the car, it was a Tomb Raider kind of scene.
What was the funniest incident on the sets?
Neelam: There were small moments here and there, nothing that really stood out the most. I think it was because everyone was enthusiastic about their work.
Ahsan: The punch lines and dialogues of characters played by my co-stars always made me laugh. There is a scene halfway through the film when Adnan (Jaffar) tries to fight us, but it backfires on him, you will have to watch the movie to find out more. It was the funniest scene in my opinion.
