Sudhir Mishra to direct Chameli

Sudhir Mishra, whose Calcutta Mail released Friday, will now step into the late Anant Balani's shoes to direct Chameli.

Soon after the Pritish Nandy Communications production, starring Kareena Kapoor and Rahul Bose, had been launched, Balani, who was in his later forties, succumbed to a massive heart attack on August 28. He was returning from Rajkamal Studios, Mumbai, where the film's sets are located, after having completed a week's shooting for Chameli.

The next day, Pritish Nandy announced another director would complete the film.

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Though Mahesh Manjrekar and Rahul Bose were considered for the director's slot, it is Mishra who will now complete Balani's film.

Actor Saurabh Shukla (Kallu Mama in Satya) will assist Mishra. The rest of crew remains the same. Mishra says, "Every director has his own stamp. Chameli will have that too. But I will definitely maintain the soul of the film."

Nandy admits there may be changes in the script. He adds, "No portion will be reshot and the schedule will pick up from where Anant left it."

Chameli is a story set in a single night. A sex worker (Kareena) and an investment banker (Rahul) are forced to spend a rainy night on the streets. Both have had unpleasant experiences with the rain and make no conversation initially. Gradually, the duo develop a relationship.

Balani had made his directorial debut with Gawahi (1989), starring Shekhar Kapur, Zeenat Aman and Ranjeeta. He had also directed Raveena Tandon's debut film, Pathar Ke Phool, co-starring Salman Khan. His two latest films, Joggers' Park (a Subhash Ghai production) and Mumbai Matinee (a Pritish Nandy production), are slated for a September 12 release.

The shooting schedule of Chameli will now continue from September 8 at Rajkamal Studios.

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