SHOWBIZ
‘BEEN THERE ….. ‘SCENE’ WHAT?’– Varun Dhamakedar
Interviewed by Vishal Verma
Rating: 
An exclusive interview with Varun Dhamakedar - the man behind the ‘Pathaka’ expose of Miss Nimbu Pani which created ‘TEHELKA’ in Bollywood drawing rooms, bed rooms and in the white, blue and grey houses of Rajdhani Delhi. Here he talks about the film ‘SHOWBIZ’, which attempts to uncover the darker side of the media.
Q: What does the movie tries to ‘show’?
A: I must say it’s a brave attempt by choreographer turned director Raju Khan, I was of the opinion that the dance director will churn out some musical in Broadway ishtyle but to my surprise and shock (both at the same time) he opts for a hurried lesson on the aspects of Good media and bad media for the presenter Mahesh Bhatt who is the love child of bollywood and media.
Instead of telling us a story he starts preaching & educates the already educated media on how to behave, be responsible and follow the code of conduct. As far as movie making and story telling is concerned, he is just a beginner and I admit that I thoroughly admired his innocence.
Q: Does such preaching is the need of the hour?
A: Aarre what yaar! I went there to watch a movie not to attend a short lecture on journalism. And I was shocked to see channel reporters behave like goons from U.P. and also this TRP factor doesn,t excites me any more as everybody knows its rigged and manipulated. Remember what Pehelwan Kapoor did to ‘Humara TV’. But everybody knows what kind of a character this Phelwan is.
Q: Sir you are diverting from the subject… here the lead protagonist played by Tushar Jalota is framed by the paparazzi?
A: My friend you seem to be a new recruit, this is part and parcel of stardom and it is beneficial for both the media and the star. But here it’s been stretched; it goes overboard and projects media as villain, even brilliant performance by Sushant Singh doesn’t do any good. As I always said it depends on the gravity of the issue, what the reporter is covering and does it creates any sansani or not. Till that extent it was good that a channel tries to target one happening star to gain its popularity.
Q: Till that extant………….
A: I mean after that the film losses its way like any bad story or coverage in TV or print. The movie starts with star in hospital badly wounded due to an accident accompanied by a mysterious woman and then it all about the star romance with her manager (no coments) and the other side of the media trying to make stories and in the end comes a respectable media played by Sachin Kedar (again no comments). The star, his manger and the true blue journalist (according to the script) do a ‘stingy’ operation and comes out with facts and figures followed by some preaching which we all presumed. Such a wayward and bad coverage.
Q: Sir it’s a film….
A: (gets angry) so what!! The heading and the climax should have a relationship or not? If I start a story on Amitabh’s first appearance in all India radio and then end with Mallika Sherawat’s first Kiss on screen and then start lecturing how to kiss and what to kiss will it make any sense!!
Q: But sir, it does shows the darker side of media and it’s after effects?
A: Ah!! Smart dude. Trying to put words in my mouth. Journalist kahin ka. Which channel are you from?
I said: No sir it’s not a channel it’s a web site- www.indianmotionpictures.com
Varun : Oh Web Site!!
The interview continues ……..
Q: Sir how where the performances?
A: performance!! Where? Well in a sting operation the victim and the camera does everything. What actors will do?
Q: I am asking about Tushar Jalota, Mrinalini the newcomers?
A: Arree !! I always forget that I just came out from a movie not my channels editing room. I apologize. The new girl Mrinalini reminded me of Mira the Pakistani actress and as far as Tushar Jalota is concerned, well a crash course in acting is required.
Q: Will the film work?
A: Mushkil lagta hai. Capsule or caption ke saath vigorous promotion was needed which could have a fake sting operation. That could have given the initial hype and created wonders for the channel TRP’s which they would have tied up with.
Q: Sir what do you mean by TRP?
A: Telecast of a Ridiculous Program.