The blind item below is the latest one from Rajeev Masand. It’s about this conniving actor, who stole other people’s hard work and claimed it as his own. Since he made these people sign contracts to keep quiet about the whole thing, they probably went to Rajeev to have him release the story as a blind item. It’s really unfortunate when things like this happen to creative people, who are not well-known. They are being taken advantage of by someone, who might be influential in this field. Something similar happened when Aamir Khan hired Amol Gupte to direct ‘Taare Zameen Par’, which was Amol’s story. They had every discussion and suddenly in the middle of shooting, Aamir decided to take over from Amol and direct the film himself. This was the story told by Aamir Khan. When the film released, Amol said he was there throughout the shoot directing the film. At the end of the last schedule, Aamir announced to everyone that he had directed the film.

On his part, Amol said this about the film:

Let me just say, right from choosing all the kids for the parts to the final editing, I was right there on board. It’s misreported that I didn’t like the edited version of TZP. There was no question of not liking the edited version because my wife Deepa was editing the material in Panchgani as we were shooting. We were all very proud of the film. Then we had a wrap-up party. And that’s when Aamir announced he was the director of the film. That’s when I got to know of his intentions. – Amol Gupte

It must have been truly heartbreaking for Amol, as this was a story dear to his hear; a story that he carried with him for years before he saw it being made. He did go on to make 2 more films, which are ‘Stanley Ka Dabba’ and ‘Hawaa Hawaai’. ‘Stanley Ka Dabba’ is such a beautiful film, there’s no audience manipulation and it’s just something that any audience can relate to. This was what he didn’t want in TZP, but Aamir wanted it: audience manipulation. As in, Aamir wanted the scenes in such a way that you HAD to feel for that kid. You can see in the difference in ‘Stanley Ka Dabba’, it just lets you relate to the character.

The blind item below is something similar, but it’s a much more meaner situation. Poor guy only has this going for him, which is why he did it. We are talking about the actor in the blind item below, who has gained a reputation in doing art films. It’s just so mean of him to steal this movie from its original writers and directors. This story is close to them like TZP was close to Amol Gupte. By close, we mean that it’s a subject they deeply care about and has researched about it for many years. Well, these people have nothing to worry about, karma will hit the actor sooner or later. We can see it happening in his eyes! Check out the blind item below from Rajeev Masand.

Check out the blind item below from Rajeev Masand.

Bollywood Blind Item

Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

He’s a respected actor, and viewed as a poster-boy for English-language films made in India. His debut film as director, released over a decade ago, travelled the typical festival route before opening to empty houses. Lately, he’s earned a thumbs-up from critics for his second directorial project, an inspiring true-life story that nevertheless fizzled out at the box-office. Whatever the film’s fate, it reinstated his reputation and brought him the much- needed goodwill that had eluded him in recent times.

It appears, however, that beneath the veneer of a sensitive filmmaker lies a ruthless, cut-throat opportunist. Well-placed sources reveal that the actor was never meant to direct the film. He was approached to play a key role in the movie by the film’s writer duo, a married couple. The husband was set to direct the film, but less than midway through the production, the actor took over the project when he realised there was potential here to revive his cold-as-ice directing career. He sidelined the writers, reportedly threatened them with consequences if they didn’t relinquish the directing reins to him.

Rank outsiders with no experience in the film business, the writers backed off once the script was in place and watched the actor realise what had been their vision all along. They had secured subsidies, tax breaks, and shooting permissions— all of which he inherited. He kept them at a safe distance, paid them in full, gave them writing credit, and even magnanimously named the husband as ‘co-director’ in an obscure end-credit sequence.

Crucially, however, he made them sign non-disclosure agreements, threatening to sue them if they so much as mentioned to anyone what had transpired during the making of the film. Threats were issued, family members were involved, and the couple could do nothing as they were dealing with personal issues at the same time. Right now they’ve decided to focus their energy on their next project. More than anything, they can’t get over the irony that the actor-turned- director is being seen as someone with a caring, sensitive soul on the basis of this film. If only the world knew. If only.

OSOP Guesses

Actor: Rahul Bose

Debut Film: Everybody Says I’m Fine (2001)

Second Film: Poorna

I was trying to raise funds for the film. But somehow I got attached to the story, and decided to direct it – Rahul Bose

Writer Duo: Prashant Pandey & Shreya Dev Verma