Talking point with Shaikh nasir

When I was in the garment business I had the recurring desire to make films. I decided to take it up as an alternative career.

From running a garment business to making films,what made you switch your career?
When I was in the garment business I had the recurring desire to make films. I decided to take it up as an alternative career. I started with basics and took orders for wedding videos. When that business did well,I decided to move a step further and began making films based on the life and people of Malegaon,my hometown. I made a novice attempt to make three filmsMalegaon Ka Superman,Malegaon ki Shaan and Malegaon ki Sholay. Though they were shot with rudimentary technology,they were featured in Delhi and abroad.

How did Malegaon Ka Chintu happen?
Deepti Bhatnagar had heard about my films. After watching them online she approached me and asked if I had a television show concept for her production house. I had been crafting the character of Malegaon Ka Chintu for a long time and told her about it. She really liked the concept and asked me to make a demo. And now,its on SAB TV.

Describe the character of the protagonist of the show,Chintu.
Chintu is a typical small-town chap. His life revolves around his coat,his bicycle and his lady love,Pinky,the most beautiful girl in town. The town people make fun of his goofiness and his dandyism. He is emotional and cannot bear to see anyone in trouble. The show follows his lifes minor trials and tribulations.

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Why did you choose to direct it as a silent comedy?
Actions speak louder than words. I have always loved Charlie Chaplins comedies. They are timeless. I wanted to create something like that but with an Indian appeal.

Why do your creations always feature Malegaon?
It is my home town and also the source of my inspiration. Whenever I saw goods and products which had labels like Made in China or Made in USA,I felt the desire to create something with a Malegaon label. So I started creating characters based in the town and stories about them began to flow. And,now people in the town tell me how proud they are of Malegaons fame.

What challenges did you face as an independent film maker?
There was no one to support my projects. I put in my own money and pitched my movies to film festivals. The technology I used was also very outdated VHS camera for shooting,VCR to VCR editing,and bicycles and handcarts as camera trolleys and mounts.

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