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This is an archive article published on August 2, 2011

Born Free is sum of all our experiences: Dia

Newest producers Dia Mirza and Zayed Khan,aim to make progressive films - Love,Breakups,Zindagi is just the start.

When longtime best friends turn business partners,their joint office space is bound to be warm and energetic,with a momentum that keeps them going. That’s the atmosphere at Dia Mirza,Zayed Khan and Sahil Singha’s recently launched production house in Santacruz,Born Free Entertainment. The place is full of activity,but Mirza and Khan look calm and composed. “When you have been in the industry for long enough,you draw upon all the experiences you have had. This production house is the sum total of all that we have learnt,personally as well as professionally,” states Mirza,who will star opposite Khan in their debut production Love,Breakups,Zindagi,directed by Singha.

The movie,which will see a September release,was conceptualised along with the production house almost a year ago. “We were hanging out on my rooftop when Dia suggested we start a production house and make films that break the norms but are still fun. It was her idea to make a romantic comedy,” says Khan.

He,however,admits that many people dissuaded them from launching a joint venture. “I was constantly asked how long the partnership will survive. In an industry where most people are self-motivated and want a bigger piece of the pie,the advice was justified. But then I would never launch a production house,if my team didn’t have Sahil and Dia,” says Khan.

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Being producers also seems to have given a new lease of life to their acting careers,and both insist that,“while production is top priority,acting is in their blood”. However,they seem to have met with similar fates in the industry. As Mirza puts it,“I got a lot of respect and credibility for the movies I did,but it all did not add up to much. After a point,I did not see where I was going.” Khan too,who started off well,got caught up in the web of big banners. “I did a mixed bag of films and eventually realised that I had to reposition and restructure my career.” And with three films ready for release this year,Tezz,Sharafat Gayi Tel Lene and LBZ,it looks like Khan is finally getting it right.

With things looking positive for the two,they are already making plans for an action comedy. While Singha will be directing this one too,Khan and Mirza are also planning to get more directors on board,besides grooming their current assistant directors. “Some day,even I would want to direct,” says Mirza,while Khan sheepishly adds,“Me too. But that will take a while because my project will be a big-budget film and we will have to wait for lots of success to come our way.” Cheers to that.

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