Moghuls unit builds lavish 17th century set in Thane as director Nikkhil Advani gears up to resume shoot of Shabana-starrer next month
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; August 29, 2020)

In development since 2018, Nikkhil Advani-directed web series, titled Moghuls finally kickstarts its second schedule of the shoot. After a stint in Jaipur in February, the unit is building a lavish set in Thane. "Since it is a period drama, a lot of research has gone into designing the set and palace [to depict the era accurately]," informs a source of the Disney+ Hotstar venture.

Producer Madhu Bhojwani (below) of Emmay Entertainment says that the Ronit Roy and Dia Mirza starrer will roll out next month. "[At present], we are building the set as per protocols. The shoot will start in September and continue for a few months."

Moghuls is a screen adaptation of Alex Rutherford's six-volume historical fiction novel, Empire of the Moghul. The drama also features Shabana Azmi, 69, as Babur's grandmother Esan Daulat. Bhojwani is excited to see the veteran actor back on the set. "For the last few months, our team has worked hard to ensure that the safety guidelines recommended by the state government and Producers' Guild are implemented. We have left no stone unturned to keep our workplace secure and are delighted to have Shabana ji join us in this schedule."

To avoid overcrowding at the shooting site, the period drama will be shot across multiple sets. "Each set will be made ready in phases to ensure that everything doesn't happen at the same time," explains Bhojwani. Her other productions, Arjun Kapoor and Rakul Preet Singh's tentatively titled Chale Chalo, Akshay Kumar's Bell Bottom and Kaun Banega Shekhawati are currently being shot in Mumbai, UK and Rajasthan respectively.

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; April 13, 2019)

Dia Mirza returned to films after three years with Sanju (2018), which had her playing Maanayata Dutt. And, now the actress is all set to make her digital debut with Kaafir, which will see her essaying another real-life character that is currently kept under wraps. The former beauty queen has started shooting for it in Himachal Pradesh from where she has been posting pictures. She talks about her web series, how the digital platform is offering exciting roles to women and the problem of ageism in the film industry.

You have been posting pictures of your look from the upcoming web series Kaafir, but there is a lot of secrecy around it...
(Laughs) That’s because we want to unveil the story closer to the launch. Right now, all I can say is that it is a hard-hitting, compelling humane narrative. I feel enriched as an artiste and a human being to have the opportunity to play this part. It’s special as it’s based on a real person. I have watched some stuff that is available on her, but what is more important is to understand the full context of her experience and spend time understanding that.

Do you find it more challenging to play a role based on a real person?
I think the ability to empathise with another person’s experience and go into the trajectory of their journey is challenging. When I posted my character image from Kaafir, I wrote, ‘Your truth is now my truth.’ That is my endeavour, that’s the best I can do and hope for.

Will this be your first outing on the digital platform?
This is the second show that I signed, the first one is Moghuls, which is based on the Mughal empire. It is a massive show directed by Nikkhil Advani; I have a powerful and beautiful part in it. As for Kaafir, Sid (Siddharth P Malhotra, producer) gave me one line of the subject. By the time he finished it, I said yes. It was that compelling. The reason to do these two series is they answer every question that I asked myself and the industry.

It is important for the film industry to rise above ageism. Roles for women need to be better written. It is exciting to see this happening on OTT platforms. Within a span of six months, I was offered two brilliant narratives, which is a sign of good times. I am most excited as an actor, producer, and as a woman to be a part of it. I hope this continues to grow and more parts for women are written.

Kaafir is directed by a woman, Sonam Nair. Does that make a difference in the treatment of the series?
Before I talk about that, I have to tell you that I have done 47 films and this is only the second time I am collaborating with a female director! It reveals how much of a gender gap exists in our industry. I don’t mean to be unfair to men — they come with their own strengths. But there is something so extraordinary, sensitive and meaningful working with these women — (Sonam and Bhavani Iyer, writer). They have a greater and deeper ability to create empathy. Just see the work Zoya (Akhtar) is doing, the way Reema (Kagti) writes, or Alankrita (Shrivastava) works. Meghna Gulzar and Bhavani were such a powerful combination for Raazi. It is good to see them holding their truth; exploring ideas that compel them at a personal level, and not trying to follow some stereotypical idea of what storytelling has to be about.

Do you find any difference between shooting for a film and web series?
For a web series, there is more time to build on the character and discover the story. I will say it is delicious (laughs). That’s because you get a chance to sink your teeth into in, relish it and unravel the layers. Films are an incredible format, but you don’t get that much time. It’s like reading a novella and novel. A novel gives you so much more!

After Sanju, have you signed any films?
No film has come my way that has excited me. For any female actor, the age between 35 to 45 is treacherous. Filmmakers tell me, I am at that awkward age. No parts are written for women in this age bracket, while men at that age flourish and have great careers. They can play 30 till they are 50, but women are not allowed to do that. Interestingly, in the West, women in that age group are at the highest point of their careers. They get the best parts. That’s also because we do not write enough for mature people.

Ronit Roy plays Babur in Nikkhil Advani-directed show which also features Shabana Azmi, Dia Mirza
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 5, 2018) 

After winning accolades for his TV show POW: Bandi Yuddh Ke and high on the commercial success of his last production, the John Abraham–Manoj Bajpayee starrer Satyameva Jayate, Nikkhil Advani is now directing a lavishly-mounted show, tentatively titled Moghuls. It is a screen adaptation of Alex Rutherford’s six-volume historical fiction novel, Empire of the Moghul, which starts with Babur and ends with the reign of Aurangzeb. Bhavani Iyer is writing the screenplay, and Kausar Munir has penned the dialogue. While Ronit Roy plays Babur, Shabana Azmi will essay the role of his grandmother, Esan Daulat, and Dia Mirza will feature as his sister, Khanzada. The team started shooting in Jaipur last week.

Confirming the news, Nikkhil informs, “I have always been fascinated by the Moghul era, its politics and the lives of the emperors, so when the channel came to me with the adaptation rights to the book, I was happy to come on board. The first season will revolve around Babur, his obsession with the city of Samarkand and his rule in Kabul before he came to Hindustan.”

The starting point for the filmmaker and his team was deciding on the scale of the show and its point of view. “We are trying to keep it as authentic to the era in the book as possible. After Jaipur we have moved to Karjat for two weeks after which I dive into Batla House, my next film with John, and resume shooting the show in February next year,” he shares.

Dia who is “extremely excited” to be a part of the historical,says that when Nikkhil approached her with the part, she was intrigued.

“I’ve read this part of Indian history but wasn’t aware about Khanzada. While Babur’s sister has been documented well in Baburnama and Humayun’s memoirs, our history textbooks in school didn’t have much on her. So, it was when I started reading up for the part that I discovered what a loved, respected and powerful person she was. To play her means so much to me,” the actress says, adding that she is looking forward to work with Shabana ‘Amma’, as she calls her. “I consider myself fortunate to call her family and even more so to be able to work with her. She has had a deep impact on my life and my choices. I know I will learn a lot working with her again.”

Shabana describes her character as a “feisty lady” who took charge and crowned Babur as king when he was only 12 after his father Umar Shaikh died in an accident. “It’s a strong part and I am happy to finally work with Nikkhil after a few false starts in the past,” states the National Award-winning actress.

Ronit is still prepping for the part. Informing that the team recently shot his introduction scene and praising Nikkhil for all the homework he has done, the actor says, “Whenever I start working on a new project, what matters most is the energy of the person who has cast me. Nikkhil and I are like brothers, I’ve known about this project since its inception and had said ‘yes’ to it long ago.”