Nikhil Advani of Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, Rocket Boys 2, Mumbai Diaries 1 and Adhura fame, is at present basking within the glory of optimistic opinions for the second instalment of Mumbai Diaries, Season 2 of which is at present streaming on Amazon Prime. This yr, marks the twentieth yr of Advani as a director, starting with Kal Ho Na Ho in 2003 and 30 years since he first stepped into the movie business. “I began with Sudhir Mishra, Kundan Shah, and Aziz Mirza in 1993. It has been 30 years and I simply really feel I used to be on the proper place on the proper time.” In an interview with THE WEEK, he talks about Mumbai Diaries season 2, and extra.
How completely different did you need this season to be from the earlier one? What did you take note of?
I did need it to be completely different in any respect; somewhat, I wished season 2 of Mumbai Diaries to be nearly as good as the primary one. Season 1 was so effectively acquired and we bought quite a few awards and optimistic opinions too. So, sure the bar was season 1 itself. In fact, in One, the storytelling revolved round terrorism and a siege of the hospital whereas Season 2 offers with water and the floods. The latter had its personal necessities, which included shifting it from a disaster-themed present right into a drama round medical emergencies.
What went into the finalisation of the solid for Mumbai Diaries — they’re all so apt for the characters they painting… however I am certain it was not straightforward to finalise on the names. Inform us the background story because it occurred…
Effectively, Kavish Sinha, who’s the casting director of Mumbai Diaries and of lots of stuff we do at Emmay Leisure, I feel he had a problem readily available and he aced it. Konkona Sen Sharma was a must have within the sequence as a result of I wished to work together with her and Mohit Raina was advised by Aparna Purohit from Amazon. I liked Prakash Belawadi as an actor in Madras Cafe and Shreya Dhanwantary was excellent in Rip-off 1992. So, these 5 turned type of pillars of the present and the remainder of the solid too, was determined upon after discussions. Additionally, as a result of Mumbai Diaries as a present is so entrenched within the metropolis of Mumbai, which is a microcosm of various communities, the general solid got here from theatre, cinema and have become consultant of variety.
What number of succeeding seasons of Mumbai Diaries can we anticipate within the coming months?
That query needs to be requested to Amazon. The present has given me a lot love that I concern presenting a season of Mumbai Diaries which could not dwell as much as expectations. So, so long as we get the writing good content material and so long as we all know that the following one will probably be nearly as good as seasons 1 and a pair of, we’ll hold making it.
Which western present impressed you to make Mumbai Diaries — there are all the time some earlier works we have a look at for reference and a greater understanding.. which one was it for you?
I feel it was ER, Chicago Hope, and Gray’s Anatomy. All medical dramas and every thing that Arin Sorkin has ever probably put pen to paper, I feel the vitality and confidence his characters carry to the display screen is exceptional. I’ve tried to imbibe that in my characters in Mumbai Diaries too. Whether or not they’re navigating by way of obstacles or fixing issues they do all of it with dignity. So I feel that’s one thing I discover very fascinating.
What’s subsequent in your kitty?
Now we have nearly accomplished taking pictures Veda, a function movie with John Abraham and Abhishek Banerjee. We get to start out taking pictures for Freedom at Midnight December onwards.
