Ahmed Khan turns producer

Not just actors, even directors are turning to film production. The latest to do so is choreographer-director Ahmed Khan, who has directed two films in the past -- LAKEER and FOOL N FINAL. In fact, a mammoth set of a school is being constructed in Mumbai’s Film City for the first schedule of his new film.

“It’s about the relationship between students and teachers, between teachers and principal, between principal and trustees of the school,” Ahmed, who’s shooting in Hyderabad, confirms. Is it on the lines of TAARE ZAMEEN PAR? “No, it’s different. The similarity is that my film will also star children in central roles,” he states. In fact, Ahmed and his team has already auditioned more than a thousand children for the 9/10 principal characters.

Ahmed has also roped in friends like Shahid Kapur, Vivek Oberoi, Ayesha Takia, Nana Patekar and Paresh Rawal for significant roles. “They’re family to me. In fact, when I disclosed the [production] plans to them, their instantaneous reaction was, why aren’t we in the film? They’ve stood by me always and it’s very sweet of them to be a part of my first film,” Ahmed divulges. Incidentally, the actors play teachers in this film.

Produced by Ahmed’s wife Shaira Khan under the banner of Paper Doll Entertainment [the company has made videos in the past], the film is scripted by Milind Ukey. Hanif, who rendered the popular song ‘Ye Dooriyan’ in FOOL N FINAL, will score the music of the film. “Shahid loves the tunes that Hanif has composed for the film. It’s fantastic,” Ahmed states. Adlabs is backing the project.