Dream pair

Dharmendra shot under Hema Malini’s baton for Tell Me Oh Khuda,while daughter Esha looked on.

The location is Novotel Hotel in suburban Mumbai. Hema Malini,who took over the directorial reins of her production Tell Me Oh Khuda from Mayur Puri last month is at the helm of affairs today. The film, which has had its share of controversies because of the switchover,is in the last stages of completion and there is some relief on the director’s face. Dressed in trousers and a red shirt,the director gets ready to direct husband Dharmendra,who is also acting in the film. A part of the hotel lounge has been converted into a sleek office and that is where Dharmendra is seated. He is playing a businessman,and today’s scene requires him to be a bit aggressive as he faces Sharat Saxena,who plays a negative character.

As soon as Hema Malini shouts ‘Action’ Dharmendra pushes a piece of paper in front of Saxena and says menacingly in his gruff voice. Sign karte ho ke nahin?,while Saxena gives him a hard look.

Story continues below this ad

Esha Deol,who plays the lead in the film is not apart of the shoot that day, but has dropped by to give moral support to her mother. Both look into the monitor at Dharmendra,who is the center of attraction today.

It was imperative that I took over from Mayur. He is a nice person,but somehow I couldn’t comprehend where the story was going, says the actress-director.

The film,which was shot in Turkey,Jaipur,Goa and now Mumbai,is almost complete except for a song. It also stars Rishi Kapoor,Vinod Khanna and Arjan Bajwa with Hema Malini herself playing a small role. Esha plays a girl in search of her father.