Prabhakar Sharan with co-star Nancy Dobles in a still from the film

The stunning journey of a Bihari agarbatti seller who has become the first Indian star in Latin America
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; December 30, 2016)

Prabhakar Sharan's life could have been a carefully crafted script for Bollywood. From growing up in Bihar's Motihari to selling agarbattis in a strange country to becoming the first Indian to star in a Latin American film, 37-year-old Sharan's life is a study in determination.

He is now the lead of the Latin American film, Enredados: La Confusion (‘Entangled: The Confusion’), which has been lavishly shot in the Bollywood film format, complete with song and dance. The romantic-actioner that will release in February 2017, also features Costa Rican TV host Nancy Dobles and popular local actor Mario Chacon.

One might assume Sharan’s chance encounter with a casting agent brought him amidst such revered names, but Enredados is in fact, scripted and partly produced by Sharan. “Most of those I approached to produce it ridiculed the idea of a Bollywood-style film in Costa Rica, where cinema itself isn’t celebrated,” he confesses, adding that it was only after much persuasion that his current producer, Teresa Rodriguez, decided to jump on board. “But, the trailer has received such great reviews in Costa Rica that now several actors and current and previous winners of the Miss Costa Rica title are eager to collaborate with me,” he says.

Sharan speaks of his struggles with breathtaking nonchalance. “One time, I directly approached the culture minister of Costa Rica,” he says, when filming for a project was stalled after his Indian crew failed to secure visas. “Another time, I got Kevin Nash and Scott Steiner [renowned professional wrestlers] among 36 other gold medallists to be a part of my TV show.”

Prod him on how he managed to rope in the creme de la crème of Costa Rican talent and he traces his journey back to his previous brush with a production in the country, where he landed in 1997 after having failed to break into Bollywood. He had intended to go to the US, but a friend suggested Costa Rica instead as it would be cheaper. The country was home to only a handful of Indians then, and Sharan’s income came from trading Indian goods, like agarbattis and fabric. “I’d buy multani mitti from India for Rs 100 and sell it for Rs 1,500,” he laughs.

In a bid to familiarize himself with the film circuit in Costa Rica, as his heart lay there, he spent his savings to kickstart Monster Jam, a show featuring professional wrestlers whom he had befriended in the states. “That brought me in the limelight with renowned Costa Rican publications featuring my project. When I approached the actors, they were familiar with my stint in production.”

Later, financial losses compelled Sharan to spend a few years in India with his wife and daughter, and circumstances eventually led to a divorce. With renewed vigour, he traced his footsteps back to Costa Rica, penned three scripts and worked hard to get producers on board. “I wanted my first film to be Daddy, which would highlight the suffering of kids after their parents get divorced, but decided to run with a commercial film instead to bring in the cash.”
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Despite being unfamiliar with Spanish and having concerns with the script, director Ashish R Mohan, who has previously helmed the Akshay Kumar-starrer Khiladi 786 (2012) and Welcome 2 Karachi (2015), gave his nod to direct Enredados: La Confusion. "I was looking for ways to recuperate from the debacle of Welcome 2 Karachi when this film was offered to me. I came on board to assist in the creation, but fell in love with the way it was being made. The cast has done such an amazing job and I had a chance to work with celebrated names, including Scott Steiner," says Mohan.

Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; April 27, 2015)

Gossip mills have been abuzz with rumours about dissent and disagreements ruling the set of Vashu Bhagnani’s Welcome To Karachi. Sources say lead actor Jackky Bhagnani has rubbed director Ashish R Mohan the wrong way with his ‘domineering’ ways.

A unit hand says, “Jackky has been giving unsolicited inputs to Ashish and is trying to call the shots. While shooting in Indore, they had some creative differences which snowballed into a big argument. Ashish was upset and walked out of the set.” It was only after the makers intervened that the director agreed to resume the shoot.

Another source, however, says: “There has been slight interference on Jackky’s part and they did argue once, but Ashish did not leave the set.”

Jackky was not available for comment while Ashish denies the buzz, saying, “While working on a project, creative differences are bound to happen. But that doesn’t mean I walk out of the set. It is my film and my story, and nothing will be above it. Whenever there are differences, I resolve them mutually with my team keeping all egos aside.”

Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; October 30, 2014)

BOMBAY TIMES (October 29, 2014)

Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; February 6, 2014)

He may be known more for his serious roles, but Irrfan also 0wants to dabble in more light roles now. The actor, who has straddled films as diverse as the biopic Paan Singh Tomar and comedies such as Dil Kabaddi and Thank You, has now signed on the comedy film, Welcome To Karachi. Directed by Ashish R Mohan, who had directed Khiladi 786, this film may also Slumdog Millionaire actor Dev Patel, though this has not been finalised.

When contacted, director Ashish R Mohan said that he is still working on a script and hasn’t approached anyone for the same. “This has to be a rumour; I have never heard of any such film title and my script has nothing to do with it,” he said.

On the other hand, actor Irrfan Khan confirmed the news saying, “Yes, I am doing the film with Ashish R Mohan.” However, he didn’t reveal much about the project. “I am leaving for Shimla to finish shooting for Nishikant Kamath’s film and I will back next month. The dates for this film will be worked out only once I get back to Mumbai,” he said.

A source from the industry adds, “Dev Patel has not been finalised for this film. Besides, they are looking for the female lead.”