If this isn’t irony then what is it? In 1989, a year before the pillar of Indian cinema Rajnarian Dube, the founder of the now defunct Bombay Talkies expired, had predicted that the noted production house established in 1934 would make a comeback in the 100th year of Indian cinema. And now after 79 years the prestigious banner which is also the first and the biggest production house in Asia which produced 102 films, introduced more than 280 talents and constructed around 400 cinema hall all over India is set to be revived by Abhay Kumar, the grandson of Rajnarian Dube with his 103rd production Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe. Tellychakkar.com visits the sets of the film to meet Abhay and talk to him at length. A lowdown: When did it strike you to revive the banner? (smiles) Well, it was in 2010 when I got the inkling to revive the much revered banner. And to tell you the reason how the idea came to my head; it was after seeing what is going on in the film industry today. As you can see a lot of business houses, politicians and others who basically do not know about cinema have entered the industry and have dirtied the atmosphere. And we the owners of Bombay Talkies, who made what Indian cinema is today, have innumerable followers who even today wanted to do something about it and so we decided to make a comeback and change the scenario for the betterment of Indian cinema. Could you refresh us by recounting those days when you introduced lot many film personalities who made it big in their respective careers? (pauses) We gave Indian cinema a host of artistes, film makers and even PROs. We introduced artistes like Devika Rani, Ashok Kumar, Madhubala, Mehmood, LV Prasad, Khwaja Ahmed Abbas, Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Pran, Nalini Jaywant, Kamini Kaushal, Jairaj among countless others. Also the famous trio of yesteryears namely Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand were introduced by us. And you were talking about introducing filmmakers; who were they? Yes, yes, they were names like Kamal Amrohi, Amiya Chakraborty, Nitin Bose, Bimal Roy, Satyajit Ray who assisted his maternal uncle (mama) in Mashal, Munshi Premchand, Shashadhar Mukerji, Kavi Pradip, Kishore Sahu, Tarachand Barjatya (who was a distributor then) and V Shantaram among others. And for your information we introduce the country’s first PRO and later went on to become huge writer Shaadat Hasan Manto. In short, I can say that Bombay Talkies acted as a magnet that attracted several newcomers who later went ahead to establish themselves. Now tell us would you want to make same kind of films that were made under your banner in those days? Yes, content wise there would be no change. Films like Achut kanya, Bandhan, Kangan, Kismet, Ziddi, Mahal, Light Of Asia, Karma, Jeevan Naiya, Basant, Jhulla and others films have made a mark in Indian cinema. Coming films won’t be much different from them, but as times have changed we would work accordingly. Going by the way it is today, films with newcomers hardly work, why you opted to star in your first film. You could have very well signed an established star? (smiles out loud) I believe and that has been proved that people whom we touched became stars. For us content of the film is important and not the star. And if you think as to who will distribute the film, let me tell you we will reach out to the audience ourselves. Yes, it’s another matter how will people receive the film. But I am confident. Tell us something about the film? (smiles) Like any other film it has a hero, a heroine and a villain. But we have introduced very many new things. If you are asking me to talk about the film, I do not want to divulge anything now. Yes, this much I can assure you that when you see it, you will yourself judge the kind of film we’ve made. The title of the film reminds us of the song from the Shammi Kapoor and Saira Banu starrer Junglee… (smiles) You are right. I very much regard these two people specially Saira aunty who is taking utmost care of the health of Dilip Kumar who is one of the shining star of our company and industry. But let me tell you one thing that my film has nothing to do with the Subodh Mukherjee’s film. Who is composing the music of your film? (pauses) See for a film of Bombay Talkies there has to be a special kind of a music director. And who better that Bappi Lahiri? All the five songs that he has composed are super hits. Finally, are you producing the film yourself or is there someone with you? I have no one along with me, Bombay Talkies doesn’t need anyone. Our well-wishers and fans are enough. I have only one ambition that is to make the film company a name that would be reckoned with.