An official adaptation of a Korean film that starts in 1947 and ends in 2000, is being produced by Atul Agnihotri, and directed by Ali Abbas Zafar; will go on the floors in April
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 24, 2017)

Atul Agnihotri has just booked Eid 2019 for his Salman Khan-starrer, Bharat, which takes off in April 2018 and will be directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. The film is an official adaptation of the 2014 South Korean drama, Ode To My Father, which depicted modern Korean history from the 1950s to the present day through the life of an ordinary man and events such as the Hungnam Evacuation during the 1950 Korean War, the government’s decision to dispatch nurses and miners to West Germany in the ’60s and the Vietnam war.

“That film is just the starting point for ours but since it was an inspiration, we wanted in all fairness to officially own it and acquired the remake rights before going ahead with Bharat,” informs the producer, who saw the Korean film at the Berlin Film Festival and felt it had what was needed to make a beautiful film. “It starts in 1947 and ends in 2000 and is the journey of a country and also a person, both of whom go by the name of Bharat.”

Atul goes on to recall an interesting conversation with his father-in-law, scriptwriter Salim Khan, on the subject of getting the rights to a remake. “He pointed out that an examiner doesn’t gives marks for handwriting, he gives marks for content, and if you can find the content, it ups the odds of getting things right. That’s how it all started and now with Ali on board, the prep is on in full swing,” says Atul.

You wonder why, given how passionate he is about this story with its epic sweep, he wouldn’t want to direct it himself. “I feel I contribute better as a producer. Ali is a friend, I love his work and eventually it’s all about connecting with the source. If you speak to him, you will realise that Ali is far more passionate about the material,” Atul reasons, pointing out that since the film spans many eras, it will require a lot of travel and elaborate sets. “We will be shooting in Abu Dhabi and Spain, besides Punjab and Delhi. Prep in every department will be elaborate and is happening even as we speak. Casting will be our main agenda over the next three months and since it’s a character-driven story, we will take actors who fit the parts. It won’t be about getting names together but will be honest in its depiction,” he promises.

Prod him on why he thinks that Salman is the right choice to play this protagonist and Atul insists it’s a decision taken from the heart given his long association with his brother-in-law as an actor, producer and director. “Bharat a character that I thought would resonate with him. It’s a huge responsibility making a film with Salman as there are big expectations that come with the job,” he smiles.

Since Bodyguard hit the theatres in Eid 2011, there has been plenty of speculation about a sequel and Atul admits it’s a definite possibility. “But I wasn’t sure I wanted to encash on Bodyguard 2 when I had an opportunity to make another film with Salman. I was looking for something bigger, something with more conviction. At the end of the day, Bodyguard was a formula film. What was beautiful about it was the twist in the climax. Without that we would only be taking the character forward and rather than do that, I wanted to engage in something far more challenging and cinematic,” he asserts.

On the subject of an Eid opening, Atul points out that even during Bodyguard, they felt that the festival was the best time for release and worked really hard to keep their special date with the box-office. “I’m very conscious about Salman’s fan base and what they want. And once again, I’m convinced that being a family film Bharat is worthy of coming during the festive time. Anyway, an Eid release is always every producer’s preferred choice.”