Laagni No Melo. The literal translation of the title of the Gujarati film, shooting of which was wrapped up recently in Ahmedabad, is ‘A carnival of emotions’. And emotions are said to flow easily in this love-story-cum-family-drama which is being readied for release in June.
Ramesh Vyas, who has made a name for himself in the world of dubbing South films in Hindi, has produced this film which, incidentally, marks his foray into Gujarati cinema. His emotions are, therefore, running high. Ask any producer about the kind of emotions he experiences on completing the shooting of his film and you will invariably get the reply: “Sense of relief!”
The star cast comprises such names as Aarjav Trivedi, Rutvi Patel, Sanjay Galsar, Katha Patel, Hemang Shah and Arvind Vegda. Rajan R. Verma has directed the film which boasts of music by Rahul Munjariya. According to the director, the film is bound to evoke emotions of all kinds in the audience. Gyanchand Devpati and Shankar Gupta are the co-producers.
Rajan Verma, who has earlier directed blockbuster Jessu Jordar in Gujarati, gives us a brief idea about the film’s storyline which indeed makes for interesting listening. While the character played by Rutvi Patel is married to Aarjav Trivedi’s character in the film, there is another angle to the love story. Katha Patel is a silent lover of Aarjav. The scene being picturised on the evening we are on the set involves Aarjav and Katha (in display picture above). The venue is the Akshar cruise on the Sabarmati riverfront. Aarjav and Katha have just finished their meal on the cruise, and Aarjav excuses himself for a moment, sharing his wallet with Katha so that she can make the payment with his credit card. But the sensitive Katha notices something which she probably shouldn’t have. Or maybe, which she, perhaps, should have! It depends on the way you look at the three lead characters of the film, played by Aarjav, Rutvi and Katha. For Katha Patel, the scene started off as one of happiness and joy because she is out on a dinner date with the guy she loves, on the cruise. But her joy is short-lived as there comes this moment after the dinner, when she sees something and is overcome with emotions of sadness and despondence.
Rahul Munjariya’s music seems to be a high point of the film as both, Ramesh Vyas and Rajan Verma, are terribly excited about their songs. In particular, one song seems to make them extremely excited as they talk about it. Says Rajan, “When we were picturising this song, the entire unit was in tears because the emotions in it are so strong.”
For any family drama, emotions are necessary to draw the audience to the cinemas. And if a song could move onlookers on the set to tears while it was being picturised, there must be as much magic in the lyrics (Kedar Bhargav), music, performances of the artistes and its picturisation as in the rendition.
Rajan Verma has managed to complete the entire shooting of the film in 25 days. Post-production work is on in full swing at a frenetic pace because the release date — 6th June — is not too far off. Ramesh Vyas will be bringing his maiden Gujarati production venture to the cinemas on the same day as the Hindi Housefull 5. Is he apprehensive about the opposition the multi-starrer may pose to his film? Doesn’t look like it. The only emotion which is evoked in him on hearing about the opposition seems to be one of nervous excitement, “Yes, our film should open in cinemas which will have to, God willing, exhibit the ‘Housefull’ board,” he seems to be telling me.