Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 9, 2019)

After Bharat in which he played the captain of a naval ship, Satish Kaushik is reuniting with Salman Khan in a different capacity. The actor has come onboard as producer for the Pankaj Tripathi-Monal Gajjar starrer Kaagaz, which marks Satish’s return to direction five years after Gang of Ghosts.

An excited Satish exults, “Salman is the film’s good luck charm and it all happened because of Bharat. One day, last August in Malta, we were discussing Salman’s role in promoting good cinema and talent and in the course of the conversation, he asked me what I was working on. I told him about Kaagaz and he loved the story. I asked him if he’d like to present the film and he immediately agreed. I narrated the script to him after returning to Mumbai, and we started filming in October. I am happy to inform that Salman Khan is on board as a producer.”

Set in UP, it is inspired by the real-life story of Lal Bihari, a farmer declared dead on paper when his relatives connived with a corrupt official to snatch his land. “I am directing a film after a long time and have tried to reinvent myself. Stree, Badhaai Ho and Article 15 are new-age cinema and Kaagaz belongs to that space. Pankaj has done a brilliant job. The film is very close to my heart and I am grateful to Salman for supporting my vision. After Tere Naam I couldn’t make another film with him, I am glad that we have collaborated on this one. When he saw the rushes, he reacted, saying, ‘Sir, iski copy nikalo,’” Satish added proudly.

And what’s the news on Tere Naam 2? “I know the audience is waiting for it, I have something on my mind, but I haven’t sounded out Salman yet. For now, it’s all about Kaagaz,” he signs off.