Genre: Movies > Comedy

Trade analyst and film critic Taran Adarsh interviews Mushtaq Shiekh, the scriptwriter of Billu.

 

Billu was made in Malayalam and Tamil before being made in Hindi, but writer Mushtaq Shiekh insists that all three films were different barring the climax. "There was no sense in making the same film again and again," says Mushtaq, "So we decided to make a different film altogether. The film's basic storyline is about two friends, very similar to the story of Krishna and Sudama."

 

Asked if it was easy writing a film which had already been made in a different language, he replied, "I think working on a remake is 200 per cent more challenging because of the baggage that it carries. How different you make it, is the challenge."

The scenes with Shah Rukh Khan have inputs from SRK and are taken from the superstar's own experiences, says Mushtaq. The writer has earlier worked with Shah Rukh Khan on Om Shanti Om and is also wielding his pen for SRK's next home production. Working with the superstar has spoiled him, says Mushtaq. "When you have worked with the best, your expectations are very high," he explains. And probably that is the reason why he is not working with anybody else. However, besides films, Mushtaq has been writing books, ads, and television programs.

 

Asked if he would take up direction, Mushtaq replies, "Yes, Inshahalla that will be my next step. But right now I am enjoying the role of writer."

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Movie Story

Billu (Irrfan Khan) is a poor village barber just about making his ends meet. Life takes an exciting turn for him when, one day, a film unit arrives at the village for a shoot. Billu is surprised to see his school friend, Sahir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan), on the sets.

 

Billu becomes an instant celebrity in the village, thanks to his star connections. Urged by the villagers, Billu tries to renew his friendship with superstar Sahir. Sadly, he fails to meet him.

 

Repeated attempts by Billu to meet Sahir only lead to frustration. Billu's inability to meet Sahir makes villagers suspect his claims to know the superstar. They, now, start ignoring Billu and even show disrespect to him.

 

Billu's family, also disappointed by his false claims, starts deserting him.

 

Will Billu ever be able to vindicate himself by meeting the superstar? Will he have to live with the harsh truth throughout his life?

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