Tigmanshu Dhulia may be a lauded director today, but he began his film career as an assistant to Shekal Kapoor, known for films such as Masoom (1983), Mr India (1987), and Bandit Queen (1994). However, Shekhar became infamous for abandoning Hindi films, especially when Hollywood called. “Shekal Zi started and stopped some films when he was in India for a year or two as a Bandit Queen and before going to Hollywood,” Tigmansh said in an interview with Ani.
He continued. “One of them was Mau Se Jo Daat Nahi, along with Shah Rukh Khan, Naserdin Shah and Suniel Shetty. After he abandoned 80% of the filming, he made the film (1989) film.”
In the same interview, Tigmansh recalled how he made terrible tea for Shah Lukh when he visited Shekal’s Mumbai residence. “Shekal Zinekaha”Chai Bana de Yar. ‘ Pehli Bar Maine Microwave Dekha Hota Kya Hai. Main Aapko ’94 Ki Baat Bata Raha Hu. Phir bhi bahut hi ghatiya si chai maine shah rukh ko pilayi thi (Shekal asked me to make tea. I first saw the microwave. This was 1994. I made some terrible tea for Shah Luke)” Tigmansh said.
Shekhar said that Shekhar has also started another film, “Major Serve.” Starring Jackie Shroff and Juhi Chawla. Anu Malik recorded music before the project was shelved. Shekhar began working on a film called Ta Ra Rum Pum, who auditioned for Pretty Ginta, which Tigmanshu and other assistant directors had not previously debuted. It was the Ara Rahman musical from the line of John Travolta Stirler Grease (1978). However, Shekhar stopped making the film and went to Hollywood instead, where he worked with Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth, 1997) and Heath Ledger (The For Feather, 2002).
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“After the global acclaim of Bandit Queen, he wanted to take advantage of it if he had four non-Indian feathers. That doesn’t happen in Hindi films,” Tigmansh added. He made it clear that he doesn’t feel bad as an assistant director despite multiple shelving projects. “Assistant Ke Lie Todi Ek Director Zindagi Zita Hai. apne liye jeeta hai (The director is not living his life for his assistant, but for himself). I have no regrets. I highly praise Shekal Kapoor. I learned a lot from him. The time I spent with him is sufficient whether the film is being made or not. I was a very proud assistant director. I am proud to say today that I am Shekal Kapoor’s assistant director,” Tigmansh said.
