Kaashi In Search Of Ganga director Dhiraj Kumar has trained his focus on his next, a tale of those in search of a new dawn. Swara Bhaskar-starrer Bihaan, he says, is inspired by a true story of exploitation that transpired only recently. "Bihaan means sunrise. Our film revolves around those who want to see a new dawn in their lives, but are unsuccessful in their attempts until someone comes into their lives. We plan to shoot the movie in Jamui, Bihar from January 2021 over a 45-day, start-to-finish schedule," he says, adding that owing to Bhaskar's affinity for the language, he believes she will do justice to the character. "The rest of the cast will take part in workshops to familiarise themselves with the region and its language."

As a journalist in the Amazon Prime Video film, Bhaskar's character will be seen fighting against the injustice meted out to girls who become victims of human trafficking. "Their voices were suppressed until they [learnt to] ensure that they are heard. If people are acquainted with such incidents, they can be prevented," he says, adding that he also acquainted himself with the incident after reading about it in the newspaper.

BOMBAY TIMES (June 9, 2020)

In today’s world, which is grappling with the Coronavirus pandemic, social distancing has become the norm. However, it doesn’t mean growing distant from those around us. It is this message that actor Pulkit Samrat’s upcoming film, Suswagatam Khushamadeed, aims to spread. It highlights the importance of love, friendship and compassion — elements that glue a society together.

Suswagatam Khushamadeed is the first of the two movies that Meta4films and Insite India have signed Pulkit for. Written by Manish Kishore and to be directed by Dhiraj Kumar, the film, co-produced by Yellow Ant Productions, will be extensively shot in Delhi and Lucknow. Confirming the news, the actor said, “The film has all the elements to both entertain viewers with humour and engage them emotionally.”

Director Dhiraj Kumar added, “It’s going to be a wholesome entertainer with an underlying message of social harmony and how love triumphs over all man-made disparities. My challenge will be to assimilate the cultures of Delhi and Lucknow and extract humour from it. Manish has written a beautiful script and it’s my responsibility to translate it on screen as effectively. Having Pulkit as the lead is an additional advantage as he hails from Delhi and is well versed with its distinct lingo and culture.”

Manish Kishore, Dhiraj Kumar and Sharman Joshi on the sets of the film

MUMBAI MIRROR (October 17, 2018)

“We don’t have a penny between the two of us, but we want to make this film,” director-writer duo Dhiraj Kumar and Manish Kishore had admitted to Sharman Joshi when the actor first inquired about their project, Kaashi in Search of Ganga.

“Who are these two blithering idiots,” Sharman had thought initially. “Who comes and narrates the script without the money to back it up?” However, the two idiots had come with conviction and Joshi realised that this conviction was infectious. The inhibition somewhat lessened when he read the script and liked it from the word go. But filmmaking is not just about a great script and individuals full of conviction and courage, where’s the money? Where’s the fuel to run this obviously promising-looking car?

Sharman says, “I learnt a lesson from my film 3 idiots, ‘Bachcha kaabil bano, kamyabi jhak maarke piche aayegi.’ I connected with the script instantly and was sure that Dhiraj and Manish will make this happen, come what may,” he added in good measure.

“I knew in my heart that if a good actor says yes to the project, I will manage to arrange the sum through my contacts and well-wishers. This was easier said than done. Sleep eluded me, and I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. It was only after Sharman came into this equation that we heaved a sigh of relief,” Dhiraj says.

Manish Kishore is a different cookie. Starting out as a journalist in Delhi, he had seen the grind and deliberately took the plunge into films. “I generally call Dhiraj ji ‘Baba’. He used to be worried most of the time. So was I, but at least I used to mask it better,” Dhiraj points out, adding, “When the going got tough, and finances were particularly tight, I said, ‘Baba’ Trust Mahadev, maybe this is the last hurdle before we break through. And sure enough, we did break through.”

After one and half years of effort on Kaashi in Search of Ganga, the film is releasing on October 26, where Sharman Joshi features in a never-seen-before avatar. “I am very happy with the output of the film, and I am proud to be associated with such an impossible project which became possible with great efforts. I must say, I joined hands with the two idiots and made it three and we proved that we are not idiots in real life,” Sharman adds.

BOMBAY TIMES (September 19, 2018)

Actor Sharman Joshi’s next, Kaashi In Search Of Ganga, is set in Varanasi, one of India’s most ancient cities. While it’s known as a centre for spiritual cleansing across the world, the city holds different meanings for different people.

The film, directed by Dhiraj Kumar, is a thriller that revolves around Kaashi (played by Sharman), who earns his livelihood by helping burn pyres at the Manikarnika Ghats. His simple, uneventful life faces a sudden upheaval when his young, college going sister, Ganga, goes missing. Distraught but determined, he joins hands with a journalist (played by Aishwarya Devan) to find her. The search, which takes him from Varanasi to Mumbai and then to Mussoorie, leads him to unexpected findings, revealing many secrets of his own life. The trailer of the movie will be out today.

Sharman, known for impressive performances on stage and in films, including 3 Idiots, Golmaal and Rang De Basanti, is excited about the film. He says, “I met Dhiraj and Manish Kishore (writer) for the story-reading session, and my connect with Kaashi was almost immediate. I thoroughly enjoyed shooting in Varanasi, and I believe that I have put in extra effort to portray my character with conviction. I am really happy with the way the film has turned out.”

Debutant director Dhiraj, adds, “This film has been my dream project, and I am grateful to Sharman for making me realise it. He is a cerebral actor, who adds a fresh perspective to the creative process. His inputs have been extremely helpful. Kaashi will go a long way in proving why Sharman is one of the finest actors in this industry. It has truly been a collaborative project, with everyone giving their best.”

Apart from Sharman and Aishwarya the film, which releases on October 26, also stars Manoj Joshi, Manoj Pahwa, Akhilendra Mishra, Govind Namdev, Priyanka Singh, Mehul Surana, Mugdha Meharia, Kranti Prakash Jha, Paritosh Tripathi and Pushkar Tiwari.