While work on it began three years ago, the project is set to roll in November with a scam incorporated into the plot
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 17, 2020)

At a time when the world’s attention is focused on finding a vaccine to fight the Coronavirus, Mirror has learnt that filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah has been working on a show, Humans, set against the backdrop of the human trials for a vaccine. He will kickstart it around November.

“Vipul and his writers, Mozez Singh and Ishani Banerjee, have been working on the script since the last three years. It’s just a coincidence that the show is set to begin at a time when the subject is in the forefront,” revealed a source close to the development, adding that the scripting started only at the end of a year-long research, after the filmmaker stumbled upon a newspaper article four years ago. “He has been working on the idea since and has interacted with doctors and consultants who have worked on vaccines so he can incorporate the process into the screenplay.”

Set in India, Humans will offer a glimpse of what goes in a drug trial. “In today’s world, vaccines and new medicines are needed daily, yet they can also trigger off the biggest scams. The show will shed light on a scam affecting thousands of human lives,” the source added.

Work on the prep is on currently. The actors are yet to be locked. “The story features two strong female characters in the lead and casting will begin in a fortnight’s time. Due to the complexities of the plot, Vipul had decided to go with a series rather than a feature film. It will be a thriller, like the blind men’s bluff, Aankhen,” the source concluded.

After working in Aparna Sen’s National Award-winning 15 Park Avenue, the actresses are gearing up to feature in a show that draws from real-life occurrences in hospitals
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 24, 2019)

After featuring in Aparna Sen’s National Award-winning 2005 directorial 15 Park Avenue, Shabana Azmi and Shefali Shah are reuniting for a TV show, a medical-thriller which will be set in the interiors of India.

“Shefali is playing a doctor while Shabana will be essaying the role of her boss and owner of the hospital where she works. The show will revolve around their characters and the unique, conflicted relationship they share,” says producer Vipul Shah, adding that he has been working on the yet-untitled show’s concept for a while now. “I’d started developing it as a film but eventually realised that the subject I want to incorporate would not fit in such a short time-frame.”

He reveals that that is when Mozez Singh took over and started building the show on the original concept. “He transformed the story keeping the concept in mind. Also, Ishani Banerjee, who has earlier worked on some great scripts, has played an important part in the scripting of this,” Vipul adds. The show draws from real-life events and common occurrences in hospitals.

Informing that the project is still in the development stage, Vipul says, “It will go on the floors shortly and will be set in cities like Bhopal and Indore.” While he has worked with wife Shefali before, this is his first project with Shabana. “I’d always wanted to work with her. The meeting with her went beautifully and she loved the idea. So much so, that she even gave us references for the subject. Having Shabana and Shefali together on screen is going to be thrilling,” he signs off.

DNA (April 29, 2019)

Mozez Singh’s body of work is fast establishing him as a director with a social conscience, albeit with a dash of cool. In 2018, he helmed the highly-successful gender-bender short film First Period about menstruation for The Gates Foundation. This year, he followed it up with the youth empowerment short film, Ab Meri Baari, which urged first-time voters to go out and cast their ballot. While First Period was supported by Twinkle Khanna, Karan Johar backed Ab Meri Baari.

Now, Mozez has directed another short, Every Single Breath, for the Gateway School, a leading institution for kids with special needs. Bobby Deol, who is acting in it with another big star, has lent his unconditional support to the venture.

He is developing a digital series for producer Vipul Shah, too, which he is co-writing along with Ishani Banerjee. The psychological thriller is rooted in reality and inspired by one of the greatest catastrophes that India has faced.

The director-producer is also penning the ultimate song-and-dance feature film with noted writer-editor Apurva Asrani. Describing it as ‘the mother of all extravaganzas,’ Mozez says, “It will be something that India has not seen before.” He adds, “Everything that I’m working on is rooted in the zeitgeist. As a filmmaker, I feel it’s important to tell stories that reflect the sign of the times because this is our moment. And the privilege of being a storyteller allows me to tell stories that challenge, change and respect the times we live in.”

It's a wrap for Aligarh. How difficult was the shoot?
It was gruelling but satisfying. This story pushed me out of my city. My protagonist is a Maharashtrian, but not from Mumbai. He lives in UP. So, the prep was more. Ishani Banerjee's story struck a chord because it took place at a time when Section 377 was repealed by the High Court. Now, it can be legally invoked and this has marginalised, even criminalised, a whole section of society for their sexual preferences. It's gross violation of human rights. How does it matter to anyone what two consenting adults do in the bedroom?

A college professor, suspended after being caught on film having consensual sex with another man, is a subject unlikely to go down well with our current Censor Board.
I don't know, except for the chairperson (Pahlaj Nihalani), the other members whom I've met are clear that more than content it is the interpretation that's their concern. I've been honest to my characters.

You were among a select group of filmmakers who before the last Lok Sabha elections, publicly announced their reservations of having a BJP-led government at the Centre. Now with the party in power, aren't you apprehensive about a political backlash?
Unless there is a witch-hunt against me, my film will not be banned. I have faith in our democracy which gives us the right to voice opinions freely. If the present government is as democratic as it claims, my opinions shouldn't colour judgement on my film. I'm an optimist and trying hard not to be cynical. Shahid was about human rights violation too and it was passed without a single cut.

Is our conservative audience ready for an Aligarh?
Our society is closeted, not conservative. When we were shooting in Bareilly many locals thanked me for making this film. I'm hoping it will spark off a public discourse on an issue we generally ignore.

Is it prudent to make a reference to a reputed university in the title even if the man who inspired you, Dr Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, was the chairman of Modern Indian Languages at the Aligarh Muslim University?
Why are you looking for a controversy where there is none? Yes, I've read Dr Siras's story but there have been others like him too. Recently, Prof. Shivaji Panikkar, acting dean of the MS University in Baroda was suspended and the archive of the Art History Department sealed for an exhibition on pre-modern masterpieces deemed offensive. My film is a reflection of society as a whole. It doesn't point fingers at any individual or institution.

After Shahid and Citylights one had expected Rajkummar Rao to play the protagonist
Raj and I share a bond which goes beyond films. The day he came to my office to pitch himself for the role of Shahid, my luck turned. In this film he plays a Malayalee journalist who shares a beautiful relationship with the professor he eventually films. Both Manoj Bajpayee and Rajkummar are selfless and secure actors.

16 years after Shool, you're reuniting with Manoj. Has he changed much as a person?
Manoj is my oldest friend after Vishal Bhardwaj. In the last 20 years we've both matured from the hot-headed young men we once were. We've learnt our lessons and are at peace. I hope this film allows him to claim the space he created. With Satya, Shool, Kaun? and Aks he paved the way for actors like Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Irrfan Khan who today are considered commercially viable.

Who plays the rickshaw-puller, the professor's gay partner?
Prashant, who is a new actor from the National School of Drama. We've taken actors who look authentic rather than someone with market and face value.

Your son, Jai, has assisted you on two films. Is he ready to turn director now?
He's writing something and is a coproducer on this film. I've told him that I won't launch him, he'll have to find his way through the jungle. He understands and is ready. But I'm so dependent on him that I'm holding him back.

You were all set to make a biopic on mountaineer Bachendri Pal with Kangana Ranaut but then shelved the project. Were film rights an issue?
That wasn't the only issue. I was a bit wary about doing a film on mountain climbing. I would have to exercise more and get physically fit. I came across a better story and took it to Kangana who agreed instantly.

This is the Sarabjit Singh bipoic with Kangana playing his sister Dalbir Kaur?
Yes, she's a special actor who tells me that after we've made one movie together, I'll start thinking of her as another Rajkummar Rao. We roll in the first week of October.

You were also toying with the idea of a biopic on Sachin Tendulkar, told from the point of view of his brother, Ajit?
I'm really keen on that film. But I got busy with Citylights and then Aligarh. Now the Sarabjit film has come. When you're dealing with a celebrity like Sachin, rights is an issue. I had one conversation through an agent but since then I got busy. May after I get back from my vacation...

Where will you be holidaying?
First we go to London to applaud for my wife Safeena whose NGO has bagged the prestigious Skoll Award. Then with my daughters we'll travel through UK, move on to Paris and Switzerland before flying to the New York film fest where Citylights will be screened.