'I accept Hrithik's standards!'

Sharmila Taliculam

Pop quiz: what does Kabir Lal have in common with Govind Nihalani, Santosh Sivan, Rajiv Menon and Ashok Mehta?

Two things, actually: All are cinematographers.

All, I might add, are also cinematographers-turned-directors.

You could be forgiven for thinking that this camera-to-directorial-chair transition is easy.

THE lure of the camera is too seductive to ignore. Kabir Lal should know. He shot for Pardes, Taal, Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai.

Now, it is the lure of the directorial chair that has him directing Prakash Mehra's next film, which stars his eldest son, Sumeet Mehra.

"Prakash Mehra has been watching my work," he explains, of his decision to direct, adding, "He felt I could direct one for him. I wasn't sure, so I kind of kept it on hold.

"But I gave it a lot of thought. What made up my mind was that these people were very professional. So I said yes."

His is a love story. The rationale? It's best to launch with a simple story, the script for which is being written by Honey Irani and should soon be ready.

KABIR Lal's hero, Sumeet Mehra has been a drama student in the US. Bitten by the acting bug, the fact that he is Prakash Mehra's son probably gives him an advantage.

"Being Prakash Mehra's son is a tremendous advantage. I am blessed and thankful for it. I am glad to have been able to see movie planning and making from the ground up (start-to-finish). I don't think I am at any disadvantage.

Now training with Kishore Namit's acting classes, Sumeet has seen his childhood friends like Abhishek Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan become actors, too.

He says, "I know Hrithink a little better than Abhishek. We live across the road from each other and had common friends. He is a fine person. Hard-working.

"He has set standards for us newcomers, which I am happy to accept. I look forward to my debut."

"I used to know Abhishek well when we were younger, when our fathers worked closely with each other. They worked on seven films together."

SUMEET is quite happy to do different kinds of roles, though Kabir Lal would like to launch him in a love story. He explains, "I do not mind playing good, main character roles where I have a chance to show my talent. A unique script and a strong director are the most important aspects of any new project.

"Besides, playing different characters is a challenge and should be promoted more often so that peoples opinions regarding stereotypical heroes change."

Kabir Lal, for his part, is assured since his hero is experienced enough to handle a soft subject like a love story. Still, he says, there are some things he has to work on with him. The topmost being his Americanised diction.

"Sumeet is very hardworking, and since he is also learing acting, it should not be too difficult to mould him. Thanks to his experience abroad, his style is different, which is good. I have high hopes for my film."

The film is yet untitled and should go on the floors some time next March. Till then the search for a good actress is also on.