Reputations are a fickle business. In showbiz, reputations risk the chance of becoming bigger than the person. When 'Taare Zameen Par' released, speculations were rife about the film’s writer and creative director, Amole Gupte. Since the film and its surrounding controversy has become an urban legend, we all know by heart the sequence of events that were presented to us.
Here’s a quick recap: The film was originally meant to be Amole’s directorial debut. Producer Aamir Khan, also close friends with Amole and his lovely editor wife, Deepa Bhatia, was on board. Shooting began in Pachgani and then stories started circulating that Aamir had taken over the directorial reins.
The matter was put to rest by Aamir who in an interview with me confessed that he had indeed directed 'Taare
Zameen Par'. The film released. It was a huge hit and the world hailed Aamir as a super director. Amole preferred to be dignified in his silence. He didn’t offer his version of the truth. He let it be
Cut to 2011, Amole Gupte has finally spoken. Not in interviews or sound bytes but with his directorial debut, 'Stanley Ka Dabba'. As for the reputation, here’s the deal: Amole Gupte can direct. 'Stanley Ka Dabba' is an expression and quite a beautiful one at that.
'Stanley Ka Dabba' is a delightful little film, full of heart and love. Other than Amole, the film also marks another magnificent debut—of his precious son, Partho who plays Stanley with such natural joie de vivre that he can put some of our leading men to shame. The other children in the film are also delightful. Take a bow, Numaan Sheikh who plays Aman Mehra, Abhishek Reddy, Saisharan Shetty, Monty Sarkar, Walter D'Souza and gang. You guys rocked it.
... contd.
