Abbas Tyrewala gives his opinions on his first film as director.
Sometime in early 2005, I found myself confronted with a MASSIVE writer’s block. I could spend days sitting in front of a computer screen… and nothing. Blank screen, blank mind.
So, I supposed, I was ready to turn director.
Jokes aside, the fact of the matter is that ten years of writing had drained me. I needed a new challenge, a new role to excite and stimulate me. Thus was born Jaane Tu…
Jaane Tu… is the story of youth as I remember it. The age where we first get to know the secrets of the heart. The loves, friendships and jealousies that seem so earth-shattering, so life-altering at the time and years later, so laughably gentle and innocent. Of course, the film goes off on its own journey including some song-and-dance, a talking portrait, a corrupt cop and a couple of horse-mounted Rajput cowboys. It even has the quintessential airport climax.
But ultimately, the movie is made to remind each one of us what it felt like when we first started falling in love.
Three years and many adventures later, Jaane Tu… is complete. And a completed film no longer needs a director.
I have never been able to hold on to a film that has no further use for me. Already, it feels like someone else’s movie. Nothing remains of the heartache and the headache – the proverbial agony and ecstasy of its filming – except a vague memory.
All that remains, of course, is people. The amazing individuals I encountered during the course of filming this movie, towards whom I feel immense gratitude and affection.
Like Aamir Khan, an incredibly generous producer and a fantastic human being. A genius like Mansoor Khan, who was dragged out of his reclusive existence to help us make this movie. And Kiran Rao, who tried in vain to keep us within budget, but ultimately always found a way to meet my greedy requirements
My entire technical team, who gave me such solid support, and the wonderful actors I had to work with. All of them warm, funny and incredibly gifted individuals: Imran, who won my respect and affection like few people ever have. Genilia, whose energy can infect the most melancholy soul with random happiness. Manjari, who liked the script enough to ignore all notions of ‘lead’ and ‘second lead’, and do a role as close to my heart as “Meghna”.
A R Rahman, whom I’ve always wanted to write lyrics for, and who gave me such perfect songs. Manoj Lobo, my cinematographer, who was a friend the day I met him, and remains amongst my closest.
And above all, a girl whom I met randomly at a coffee shop and asked to assist me on this film. She not only agreed, she also agreed to partner me through life. My wife Pakhi.
To meet so many beautiful people in one lifetime is rare. To meet them over one film is simply Grace: Dad’s prayers, Mom’s blessings, the love and good wishes of my family and friends.
To all of them I say, thank you for being there. Thank you for believing. I couldn’t have done it without you.
Jaane Tu, Ya Jaane Na?
P.S. “Mom! Dad! Look… I made a movie!”
Abbas Tyrewala
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