Every year, a bevy of Bollywood stars descend to Goa for the International Film Festival of
India and there’s usually a flutter of activity and excitement around them.
There’s something alluring and appealing about meeting the who’s who of India’s
film industry and a picture with the star usually makes the rounds of social
media immediately.
In Goa, social media is abuzz as one of
Bollywood’s biggest stars – someone who has been around for decades – Jackie
Shroff, is currently shooting for a movie called ‘Kantaar’ and while doing so,
he has been interacting with a large number of Goans.
In the photographs Goans have been putting
up with the legend himself, the first thing that strikes you is that here is a
man who appears to have no airs, is humble and modest. And after a few minutes,
he will crack a joke with you and in that sense he is one of the rare actors
that doesn’t throw their star weight around you.That is the feedback from the
numerous people from Goa who have met Jackie while he is on set.
On the back of his previous stint with a Goan film – ‘Soul
Curry’, which won state awards including an individual award for Jackie, the
actor feels that since he is working with the same team and director – Nilesh
Malkar – Goans would love to see this movie just like before.
“I take things as it comes,“ says Jackie, while talking about
what led him to do this second film in Goa. “I wanted to do another film. In
fact, I hope to do at least one film in Goa every year. So with this project,
my dream has come true. And it is my team; the director is the same,” he adds.
He also adds that he is looking forward to working with actress
Ester Noronha, and points out that as she is a lovely singer, he hopes he gets
to sing as well.
Speaking about the film, Ester Noronha says, “This is a Goan
Konkani film and it is a musical film on the philosophy of life – a ‘kantaar’ –
a song of life. And it is at the same time from a Goan point of view, as the
Goan sees it as opposed to the rest of the world. It is about redefining Goan
culture, representing the Goan way of life and also cherishing the beauty of
the villages of Goa, the people of Goa, the language of Goa and everything that
is part of the Goan life.”
Ester adds that Goan people always appreciate her work, whether
it is her latest trending cover of ‘Despacito’ in Konkani or her three songs in
‘Goem, Goenkar, Goenkarponn’ or the one song in ‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar’, people
have always loved her work. “For me it is just one task but with the love of
people it has multiplied. With the support of people, I have become who I am
today and this film is more of giving back to the people.”
Ester further points out that a major highlight of the film is
that Lorna, the nightingale of Goa, is doing playback singing in this film for
the first time. “Lorna is the queen of Jazz and her being part of the film is
so meaningful. She will also be starring the song,” adds Ester. The film will
also have a jazz influence to it.
She further adds that the movie is about showing the real
flavours of Goa and that is why they had chosen the interiors of Goa and
various locations that most films based in Goa do not know about.
Producer Janet Noronha states that the movie is special to her
as it is in her mother tongue. Responding to a query if she senses the film
will do well in the market, she states that the movie is not about the market
or profit or loss but about affection.
Noel Sean, who was seen alongside Ester in the Konkani cover of
‘Despacito’ is one of the lead actors in the film. Excited, he says: “I am very
excited for my second project with Ester. Hope the Goan audience loves the
film.”
Various tiatr artistes like Comedian Sally, Luis Bachan, Domnic,
and singers like Velrose Pereira from Canada and many upcoming Goan artistes
and established musicians are a part of the film. Entertainment Society of
Goa’s Vice Chairman Rajendra Talak, a noted director himself, has also extended
his support to the film.
Mumbai-based director, Nilesh Malkar knew he would return after
his first film ‘Soul Curry’ bagged several state awards in Goa. “The response
to the first movie inspired me to create my second film and with my last
experience, I am quite comfortable making my second film here. ‘Kantaar’ is a
musical film; the music is different and I hope the audiences appreciates the
movie and the songs in the same way they did last time,” adds Nilesh.
Here, the film’s music director also points out that he has
roots in Goa and he too was inspired to produce something special that connects
with his native land.
“This is all about putting all the things that are important for
Goans and Konkani speaking people and whatever we really treasure is what we
are going to show. That’s what we felt when we first saw the script and it was
a perfect connection to Goa,” concludes Ester.
While
the shooting in Goa is underway, the date for the film’s release will be
announced later.
