Subi Samuel, known more for his photography, has decided to turn producer. His first attempt, Alag, stars Akshay Kapoor (Popkorn Kaho Maast Ho Jao) and Dia Mirza, and will be directed by Ashu Trikha. In order to promote the film, Samuel has come up with the idea of a music album, featuring 10 celebrities.
When asked about his move, the photographer says he always wanted to move into the business of filmmaking, as he has long been closely associated with it. He says he would have thought of entering the field later, but decided there was no point waiting after he found a good script. He says he would also like to direct some day, adding that he isn't qualified to do so just yet. "Alag is an emotional story about a young boy who has special powers. It is about his attempt to be accepted by society. It is not a supernatural movie, but it is science fiction," he says.
Samuel chose Akshay Kapoor because he has interacted with him closely and knows he is an extremely talented actor. "Just because one film doesn't work doesn't mean somebody is a complete miscast. I can't evaluate Akshay's talent on the box office success of his last film." Akshay's bald look is also part of the story, which the director doesn't want to talk about.
As for that unique music album to promote the film, there are nine actors and one director including Shah Rukh Khan, Sushmita Sen, Lara Dutta, Priety Zinta, Bipasha Basu, Priyanka Chopra, Bobby Deol, Abhishek Bachchan, Arjun Rampal and Karan Johar. They will all be talking about the character Tejas Rastogi, played by Akshay Kapoor, in a song called Leke Dil Lamha Tanhayee Ha. The track has been composed by Aadesh Srivastava, with lyrics by Nusrat Badr.
"It was not difficult convincing the actors as I am part of the industry and am close to most of them. I didn't have to pay anyone as they are friends and did it free of cost to encourage me," says Samuel.
Reza Sharifi, who is the stylist of the film, has done the look of the album too. The video has been shot against a white backdrop. It was completed over four days for the convenience of the actors. It will play during the end credits, and the album is also to have four other songs and a remixed track.
Samuel is also working on another film, currently in an elementary stage. He says it will star Akshay Kapoor and Dia Mirza once more, and will be shot in New York.
