Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; May 15, 2014)

When Himesh Reshammiya approached Ananth Narayan Mahadevan to direct The Xposé, his prime condition was to stick to the budget. “Himesh told me that if I couldn't make this film in the stipulated budget, it wouldn't be made. At the same time, he didn't want to compromise on quality," says Ananth.

The two began their professional association over 20 years ago, on the small years ago, on the smallscreen. “I have acted in all television serials produced by Himesh. Later, after he started composing music for films and I entered direction, we worked together in Dil Maange More and Aksar," recalls the director.

So, when the composer-singer-actor approached him with The Xposé, it was like revisiting old days. “When he said it's a thriller set in the Bollywood of 1960s, I was fascinated. Though Himesh has written the story as well, he was open to how I visualised the movie," the director says.

Careful not to spoof on yesteryear actors who have inspired the characters, the cast was made to put in a lot of hard work. “Himesh had to lose 20 kilos. Rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh plays a music composer, so in a way , he was on home ground. Along with debutantes Zoya Afroz (Miss India 2013, Second Runner-Up) and Sonali Raut, workshops were held even for experienced actors like Irrfan and Adil Hussain," says Ananth.

The director is also acting in the film, produced by Vipin Reshammiya. “Initially , Himesh simply suggested that I play filmmaker Subba Prasad. I refused as I didn't want additional burden. But after much persuasion, I agreed," he signs off.

REAL VS REEL
In December 1970, it was rumored that to ensure a successful run for Johny Mera Naam, Gulshan Rai created illwill for Raj Kapoor's Mera Naam Joker. A similar clash will be seen in the film when Chandni's (Zoya) Reena Mera Naam and Zara's (Sonali) Ujjwal Nirmal Sheetal releases on the same day. The former's producer will use black marketeer Alec D'Costa (Irrfan) to sell the latter's tickets at a lesser price.

Apart from a scene inspired by Zeenat Aman in Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Sonali's biggest challenge was to shoot an intimate sequence with industrialist Ranjit Desai (Bharat Dabholkar). Only Ananth and cinematographer Maneesh Bhatt were in the room when the shot was canned. Afterwards, the actress was overheard telling someone, “That was for real. I actually felt him all over me."

Though his character Ravi Kumar is inspired by yesteryear actor Raaj Kumar, Himesh has copied Salman Khan in the way he holds his cigarette.

The film will also remind one of Kamal Amrohi's Pakeezah. The film, which didn't open well, picked up after the untimely demise of lead actress Meena Kumari. Reportedly, a voice message - recorded by Padma Khanna, but passed off as Meena Kumari's last message - also helped the film run to packed houses. A similar method is used by the producer of Zara's film after her death.

The scene of a radio presenter asking Zara about her affair with Kenny Damania aka KD (Honey) is rumoured to be based on Ameen Sayani asking Zeenat Aman about her relationship with Sanjay Khan.

The Xposé, produced by HR Musik, releases May 16.