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After the movie “Wanted”, Aseem Merchant plays the lead in “Aseema”
December 18th, 2009
After the super hit film “Wanted”, Aseem Merchant plays the leading man in “Aseema”
Model turned actor Aseem Merchant is all over the news these day, as he is playing the lead character in the upcoming woman oriented film “Aseema”. Aseem Merchant is increasingly gaining popularity as he was last seen in box-office hit “Wanted” starring Salman Khan. And this doesn’t stop here, Aseem had something more to be happy about and that was an exclusive sketch of him made by Salman Khan on the sets of “Wanted” during the shooting of the film. Aseem Merchant is playing the lead character of a Doctor in “Aseema – beyond boundaries” along with Gracy Singh as “Aseema” in the film.
The film is based on the widely acclaimed Oriya novel “Aseema”, written by noted Oriya poet/author/novelist Mrs. Sailaja Kumari Aparajita Mohanty. Aseema is produced by Kabi Mohanty and directed by Sishir P. Mishra, with Shamir Tandon who has scored the soulful music of Aseema. It is a heartwarming story based in Orissa of the eighties and nineties. We had a brief interview of Aseem Merchant on his new film.
Q. 1: What’s your role in “Aseema”? Tell us about the film.
Ans. 1: Well I’m playing Dr. Ishwar in “Aseema” who works in small city of Orissa. It’s a really heartwarming love story that goes beyond boundaries as Dr. Ishwar sacrifices big time for his love. The story is based on the relationships of a man-woman and mother-daughter as Aseema’s journey through life.
Q. 2: As we know that “Aseema” is a woman oriented film, did it have much scope for your character?
Ans. 2: Definitely, it’s a woman oriented film however it is also a love story so my character is really important in the film. You’ll get to see when “Aseema” hits the theatres.
Q. 3: How was it working with Lagaan fame “Gracy Singh” and acclaimed director “Sishir Mishra?”
Ans. 3: Gracy Singh is a lovely human being, I have had the privilege to work with some of the best stars in the industry, and it was a pleasure working with her. And Sishir is from a different genre of film making. He has done hit films like Bheegi Palke, written Kora Kagaz. He is a very passionate and a hard task master, but a lovely person because he believes so much in the project and detailing that I have learnt a lot. He treated me like a son, so it was like being part of the family.
Q. 4: Tell us something interesting that happened during the shooting of your film.
Ans. 4: The entire cast and crew used to shoot for 18 hours a day; it was quite hectic but let me tell you we had worked in one of the beautiful places of India. Orissa has some amazing beaches and the beautiful Jagannath Temple in Puri. One of the interesting things is I’m a chain smoker and Gracy is completely anti-smoking. She used to hate people smoking around her but every time I used to finish my smoke and come back to sets, she would come to know but never used to say anything to me.
Q. 5: How did it feel when Salman Khan made a sketch of you on the sets of “Wanted?”
Ans. 5: I was completely shocked when he made a sketch of me. It was a one in a lifetime experience to have him sketching me in his tight schedule. It was a priceless moment!
Q. 6: Tell us about your upcoming films?
Ans. 6: I’m in talks with some big banner for a comedy film, so if that materializes then I am definitely doing the film. Next I am doing a film called Hanuman which is a Hollywood film where I play the role of Laxman and also Arbaaz Khan home production film “Bullet – Ek dhamaka” directed by Irfaan Khan starring Salman Khan and Sonakshi Sinha.