The latest addition to the long list of actors who have turned directors in Bollywood, is Parvin Dabas, with his debut directorial venture, Sahi Dhande Galat Bandeay.
“It’s like a double edged sword — I know I’ve taken a big risk, but I’m game for such risks,” he says, adding, “I didn’t turn director to prove anything to anyone — I just pursued something I’m very passionate about.”
Of course, playing multiple roles isn’t easy, insists Parvin. “But by the time I finished writing the script, I knew I had to direct it — such was my involvement. I have tried to do the best job I can with Sahi...,” he states. The film has four galat bandes, who are in a situation where they have the possibility of doing something good.
“The four boys are working for their boss and for one particular assignment, they are faced with a ‘make money by selling one’s conscience’ situation. What they do is what the film is about,” Parvin informs.
The film also marks the debut of Parvin and wife, actor Preeti Jhangiani’s production house.
“We wanted to be taking decisions ourselves, stick to a respectable budget and not compromise on production values,” he says. Quiz him, why despite playing key roles in the making of this film, Preeti wasn’t seen on screen and the director says, “We didn’t make the film to cast ourselves and there was nowhere we could fit her either. Hence, she stuck to being the producer.”
His journey from Monsoon Wedding to Sahi... has been an eventful one.
“I got to work with directors like Mira Nair, Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee and the likes and the learning curve has just kept growing. I’ve learnt something from all the good and not-so-good experiences,” Parvin says, adding, “Right now, I’m working on another script, while our production house is deciding on which film to start with now that Sahi... has already released. Film-making is a full-time job but with my wife as producer, I’ve been working for free.”
