‘UDITA AND I WILL NEVER WORK TOGETHER’

November 25th, 2007 • Related • Filed Under

…says 26-year-old director and Udita Goswami’s beau Mohit Suri. Sharin Wader (Bombay Times) finds out why

He has seen all the action happen from the age of 17. He used to assist Vikram Bhatt then and by the time he was 20, he had already assisted Vikram in making eight films. We are talking about Mohit Suri, the young and talented director who at the age of 26, has directed four films — Zeher, Woh Lamhe, Kalyug and Awarapan — in three years and is now getting ready with Raaz 2…
 

Do you think Bollywood is opening up to new challenges. It’s giving its reins in the hands of young directors? 
It definitely is ready for challenges now. When I had started, even the chief assistant directors used to be 40 year old. Now there are many newcomers. I think after I started, many followed suit. 
 

And how did you get behind the camera?                    My uncle Mukesh Bhatt spotted the talent in me. I was ready to go overseas for higher education, but he told me I should try my hands at direction, that’s how I got into it!
 

You started at 17, did eight films, when did you get the time to study? 
I used to run to answer my exams in between shots. But I was good in academics.
 

When did you finally get to call the shots? 
One day I decided I could assist no more. I thought there was nothing more I could do in terms of an assistant director. I wanted to be more involved with filmmaking that’s when I started writing. Then one day I took a script and went to Mahesh Bhatt. It was based on a Hollywood film and also on an incident that I had witnessed. He told me I should direct it myself. 
 

If you were not related to the Bhatts, would you have been able to make it? 
I’m not sure. I wouldn’t have got the freedom to make films the way I got it here. I like to work on my own ideas. Besides the offers should also come from bigger and better banners than the company that I’m working with right now. The Bhatt camp is like home.
 

But don’t people grow when they move out of their home? 
I don’t think there is anything like that. It’s all about making a film that you love, whether it’s from outside or from within your home production. And right now I’m not moving out.
 

Was establishing an identity for yourself tough, considering you were always known as actress Udita Goswami’s boyfriend? 
When we started dating, Udita had told me that this was bound to happen — that my identity would be that of just her boyfriend. But I didn’t want to give up something so beautiful just because of what people would acknowledge me as. Udita and I had decided that we would never ever work together. I think that’s the best way so that there are no comparisons. Today I’m happy that people know me because of my work.
 

Which of the present lot of directors do you admire? 
 I like Rajkumar Hirani. There is consistency in his work.
 

Given a chance which of the films, Om Shanti Om or Saawariya would you like to direct and why? 
Both the films are not my type! I didn’t like Saawariya at all though Om Shanti Om entertained me completely.
 

Ever thought of acting? 
I’m a horrible actor. I think right now whatever I’m doing, I’m doing it good!

Related posts:

  1. FACE-OFF
  2. Udita Bags Role Opposite The KING!
  3. ‘I will always do films with the Bhatt camp’: Emraan Hashmi
  4. After Ajay, Aamir now Sush gets into direction
  5. ‘I don’t have a single friend in Bollywood’-Kangana Ranaut

There Are 3 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by Master on 26 November 2007:

    I think Mohit is really talented, loved his Awarapan(including Emraan’s smashing performance). He directed 4 films and sadly his best film, Awarapan didn’t do well while all his first 3 films(Zeher, Kalyug, Woh Lamhe) did well. He can make small, quick and different films. Someday he’ll make great film, he is another Anurag Basu-in the making from Bhatt camp. His Aawarapan is almost as good if not better than Basu’s Gangster.

    What do you think Fenil?

  2. Comment by AksFilmi on 27 November 2007:

    Completely Agree MOhit Is really talented director - Loved his Awarapan - He has show variety in his direction - In his first movie he was not impressive but Kalyug n WOh lAmhe were brillant interms of directions - They way he handled complex subject in Woh Lamhe & Kalyug

  3. Comment by fenilseta on 27 November 2007:

    I hav loved all his films-Zeher, Kalyug, Woh Lamhe and Awarapan. He is one of the finest youngest directors of Indian cinema! Has off to Mohit Suri!

    I am waiting for his Raaz sequel!

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