Remake is not a bad idea

Digitally restored version of the 1981 hit classic 'Chashme Baddoor' released on April 5 along with David Dhawan's remake of the same name. "I am glad I did that film," shares Farooque Sheikh, the hero of the film Askari Jaffer For him shooting for 'Chashme Baddoor' was a memorable experience. "It was one of our happier and interesting experiences and I had a great time while shooting. The memories will always be there. We shot the film in Delhi which was a beautiful city at that time. I am glad I did that film," says Farooque. Farooque feels that today Bollywood is indulging in too much of promotions for films. "The artistes are running around telling people to watch the film. May be we could do with a little less of that, earlier it was not this much. But this has become a trend and everyone is going door to door telling through every channel, Please watch my film, It is getting to be too much, I think." He and Deepti Naval were successful and romantic team in the 80's and the duo worked in classics like 'Saath Saath', 'Katha' and 'Chashme Baddoor'. This led to a bit of gossip around the time. However, he feels that controversies are not important. "It was a happy experience working with Deepthi in 'Chashme Baddoor' and then after that we have done about eight films together. So, obviously we share a comfort zone. Apart from that she is an outstanding and talented lady. And she was my co-star and we are good friends." After almost 28 years both of them worked together again in 'Listen Amaya', directed by Avinash Kumar Singh. It released in February, this year. "Avinash Kumar Singh and Geeta Singh were new but they have the spirit to do good cinema, so working with them on that script was pleasant."

Going back to his memories while shooting for the film in 1981, especially with Ravi Baswani and Rakesh Bedi, he says, "They were more trained and veteran actors by then. Baswani was from KMC dramatic society and Rakesh is from Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. And he also has had a long association with theater. When you work with such people, automatically your standards go up." Do you believe that good comedy requires a strong script? "Everything requires a good script. And when you are talking about a comedy then you require all the more. If you don't have a strong script then you will indulge in melo dramatics". His other critically acclaimed commercial successes include 'Noorie', 'Umrao Jaan', 'Bazaar', 'Katha' and 'Biwi Ho To Aisi' among others. One of the best classic comedies of all time, Sai Paranjpye's 'Chashme Baddoor' stands apart and he thinks that her kind of films will always work. "She is a brilliant writer and a very good director. And her capacity to get life into humour is unique. She selects very ordinary people for her movies but the humour she finds in them is not what every one can do. She is quite extra ordinary." The film's remake has also released on the same day. He shares, "There is nothing wrong in making a remake. Remake of the classic is not a bad idea. It's a good opportunity to do something on an established pattern and a well appreciated platform. But at the same time it is also challenging to reach the expectations of people who watched the original." However, he is yet to watch the remake. "No, I haven't. I really want to see how David has made the film. I will go to see the film when I get the time."