"SRK gave me the canvas I wanted" - Roshan Abbas

Radio Jockey. Television host. Theatre person. Roshan Abbas is wearing a new hat these days, that of a director. For those unaware of what Roshan has been up to, well, he's giving finishing touches to his directorial debut - ALWAYS KABHI KABHI - which is produced by none other than the superstar himself, Shah Rukh Khan. Surprisingly, the project in question doesn't star SRK in the lead, but four new faces - Satyajeet Dubey, Aly Fazal, Giselli Monteiro and Zoa Morani.

It all began while a show in Dubai, featuring SRK and hosted by Roshan, got delayed. "We got talking. He asked me what I was doing and I replied that I was planning to start a film on teens, with freshers enacting pivotal parts. It didn't require the presence of big stars, but it did require a big production house to back it. We met again in India, had our round of discussions on the project and he stepped forward to produce it." Prior to that, Roshan was in preliminary talks with Ritesh Sidhwani and also with the people at Studio 18, but as luck would have it, Roshan's directorial debut was destined to be produced by SRK.

ALWAYS KABHI KABHI is based on Roshan's 1999 play 'Graffiti'. "But it took time to develop it into a full-fledged screenplay. Shah Rukh pointed out two things. One, cinema and play are two different mediums and the written material had to be more cinematic. Two, it had to be contemporary. Also, I'd like to clarify, though the film revolves around teens, it's not inspired by 'Archie'. It actually borrows from real life experiences," Roshan divulges.

Did SRK offer suggestions, give inputs, recommend actors? "But he never imposed his ideas/suggestions," he interrupts, "He'd say, this is what I feel about a particular thing/issue/person, it's up to you to accept it. He gave me the freedom to make the movie I had envisioned and visualized at the outset. He gave me the canvas I wanted," he adds. Was it tough giving shape to his dream? "Not really! Initially, I wondered, will I get the grammar right? Will the cinematographer translate my vision on celluloid? But it wasn't tough. All you need is the right atmosphere to translate your ideas on celluloid," Roshan reveals.

Roshan's dream will unfold on the big screen on 17 June this year. "I have truly enjoyed the experience of making ALWAYS KABHI KABHI. And I wish to continue chasing my dream," he smiles. We're equally sure Roshan, you will have many interesting stories to tell in times to come.

Shah Rukh Khan has unique 'Always...' promotional strategy: Roshan Abbas

Actor Roshan Abbas, who is making his directorial debut with "Always Kabhi Kabhi" under Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment banner, said the superstar has some unique promotional ideas up his sleeve.

"His involvement is there but he is also shooting for two movies. He has 'RA.One' on one side and 'Don2' on the other, but in the midst of these, his support is always there and you will get to see some unique Shah Rukh ideas as we go along," Abbas told IANS in an interview.

Shah Rukh is in touch with his office from Malaysia, where he is shooting for "Don2", said Abbas.

"Currently, he is in Malaysia. But he has seen the marketing plan of the film. He is continuously in contact with Red Chillies because he wants to know what we are doing, what our ideas are to promote the film. He has also given us some ideas," said Abbas.

"Once you see the posters, which would be out soon, you will see how the Red Chillies' look and feel has come into this film," he added.

Abbas also said he regards Shah Rukh as his mentor.

"He has always been around on the sets. He is the busiest person on this planet. Even in the middle of that, he used to find time for my film. That's what makes him really interesting. He was there as a mentor in that sense, but he has not been a tormentor," Abbas laughed.

Set in a high school, "Always Kabhi Kabhi" captures the emotions of love, jealousy and pride that marks one's school years.

"It's an adaptation of my play about a high school 'Graffiti', which I earlier wanted to turn into a graphic novel," Abbas said.