This Article is From May 06, 2014

Mahesh Bhatt: Citylights Not a Festival Film

Mahesh Bhatt: Citylights Not a Festival Film

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt is backing Citylights, a remake of Metro Manila

Highlights

  • Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who is backing Citylights, a remake of Metro Manila, says the movie directed by Hansal Mehta should not be described as festival movie because it has all the elements of a commercial cinema.
  • Citylights is not a festival film. It's an Indian film, it has an Indian story, it has fragrance of our own people and it has songs in it. We have got amazing feedback so far. It's a very brave idea to make the film," Bhatt told reporters Monday at the unveiling of 26 minutes' footage of Citylights.
  • Though it's a remake, Hansal Mehta said he has yet to see the British movie.
  • Hansal Mehta said, "It's an adaptation of Metro Manila, but myself, Rajkummar Rao, Patralekha have not seen the film yet. Rishab Shah, the writer of the film, has seen it and he came up with the idea. This is a kind of a film that we have stopped making."
  • Hansal, who has roped in Rajkummar Rao, post Shahid, said, "Rajkummar is my muse and he is my favourite actor. We have roped in new girl, Patraleka,, and we call her the wonder girl."
  • Rajkummar describes Citylights as one of his most special films. "It was a very challenging role and I got completely drained out working in the film," he added.
  • The film is slated for a May 30 release.
Mumbai: Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who is backing Citylights, a remake of Metro Manila, says the movie directed by Hansal Mehta should not be described as festival movie because it has all the elements of a commercial cinema.

Citylights is not a festival film. It's an Indian film, it has an Indian story, it has fragrance of our own people and it has songs in it. We have got amazing feedback so far. It's a very brave idea to make the film," Bhatt told reporters Monday at the unveiling of 26 minutes' footage of Citylights. (Also read: Mahesh Bhatt : Hamari Adhuri Kahani will be Mohit's best )

Though it's a remake, Hansal Mehta said he has yet to see the British movie.

Hansal Mehta said, "It's an adaptation of Metro Manila, but myself, Rajkummar Rao, Patralekha have not seen the film yet. Rishab Shah, the writer of the film, has seen it and he came up with the idea. This is a kind of a film that we have stopped making." (Also read:"Didn't know Alia could sing so well, says Mahesh Bhatt )

Hansal, who has roped in Rajkummar Rao, post Shahid, said, "Rajkummar is my muse and he is my favourite actor. We have roped in new girl, Patraleka,, and we call her the wonder girl."

Rajkummar describes Citylights as one of his most special films. "It was a very challenging role and I got completely drained out working in the film," he added.

The film is slated for a May 30 release.
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