The five different looks of Paoli and Shaumaun in Bappaditya’s next film

Bappaditya Bandopadhyay is making a clean break from art-house films to go mainstream. His forthcoming film (yet untitled), starring Paoli and city-based model Shaumaun Ahmed, will showcase Bappaditya’s Bollywood influences and inspirations.

“I have always been a fan of directors like Raj Khosla, J.P. Dutta and Ramesh Sippy, and this film is my tribute to them. During my college days, I was a huge fan of Dharmendra and Vinod Khanna, and thoroughly enjoyed their songs and dances. That’s why this film of mine will have all the commercial ingredients. But I am against remakes. In my last film Houseful, I had scoffed at remakes but I didn’t make fun of commercial films. I have decided to make only mainstream films from now,” says the critically acclaimed director of Kaal and Kantataar.

The new film revolves around a pair of popular stars of mainstream cinema. Paoli plays the heroine and Shaumaun the hero.

“They work in masala films where they do song-dance sequences in the rain and the acting is very loud. That’s their reel life. Off screen, too, they are a couple but there’s someone who comes in between them. He’s a mainstream film buff and adores Paoli.... This film will be very different from my last films,” he says.

Following the filmi formula, Bappaditya has slipped in an item number where Paoli will shake her booty in itsy-bitsy clothes — quite a dramatic departure for the cerebral Madhabilata of Goutam Ghose’s Kalbela and the leading lady of Bappaditya’s upcoming release Kagojer Bou.

“I liked working with Paoli in Kagojer Bou. She is a very understanding and versatile actress, and that’s why I thought of repeating her.... I chose Shaumaun opposite Paoli because I didn’t want an established face. He plays a superstar and I think he fits the bill,” adds the director.

Also, for the first time, Bappaditya won’t be taking a long break between finishing one film and starting another.

“I just feel that time is passing me by and I must make more films. Earlier I would reject most of the scripts and wait for a film to release before moving on to the next, but now I have decided not to be so choosy,” he laughs.

The Paoli-Shaumaun film goes on the floors in end-August. It is produced by Q and A Technologies.