Upala KBR (MID-DAY; October 26, 2017)

Not just on screen, you can count on Aamir Khan and his team to do things hatke off-screen too. While Bollywood usually sees producers throwing a success bash for their films, Secret Superstar director Advait Chandan is changing the practice by hosting a gala tonight at a suburban five-star. He has handpicked the guests, inviting Bollywood biggies whose work he always admired.

A rank outsider, Chandan is elated that B-Town has showered love on his first directorial venture. “I’ve been welcomed so warmly in Bollywood that I want to share the success with them. I’ve invited everyone whose work I love — Zoya Akhtar, Raju sir [Rajkumar Hirani], Karan Johar, Ranveer Singh and Maneesh Sharma. My cast and crew will come; there’s no party without them!”

Joking that he has been partying so hard at his house every night that his neighbours might call the cops soon, Chandan was clear he’d host a success bash only when the film could be called a success in the true sense. “I thought I will wait till the film earns profit.”

The new director is grateful that the likes of Hirani and Johar are all praise for his labour of love. “Rajkumar Hirani said he couldn’t stop laughing while watching it. To make him laugh was a big deal for me, as his films are the benchmark in comedy. Karan Johar gave me a bear hug after stepping out of the screening. It was the best reaction ever!”

Chandan is aware that Secret Superstar was a risk in Bollywood parlance, given that it was shouldered by the little kid, Wasim and not by a star. “It has collected Rs 32 crore over the weekend. That’s the lifetime collections of some films these days.”