'Short Kut...' a fun hare and tortoise story: Neeraj Vora

'Short Kut...' a fun hare and tortoise story: Neeraj Vora
"Short Kut - The Con Is On" is a fun-filled "hare and tortoise story" that has Akshaye Khanna and Arshad Warsi playing a "lethal combination", says writer-director Neeraj Vora, who adds that it has no semblance to his last film "Phir Hera Pheri".

"'Short Kut' is about a struggling writer-director (played by) Akshaye who believes in the hard way of living and his actor-dancer friend (Arshad) believes in taking shortcuts to success. In the film, Arshad steals Akshaye's script and becomes an overnight star," Vora told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

"But 'Short Kut...' is not a 'Phir Hera Pheri'. This film tells you that shortcuts don't pay, they don't last and they don't satisfy. It's a very serious film, but with a lot of humour and drama. It's like a hare and tortoise story with Akshaye and Arshad in a terrific lethal combination," he said.

Talking about the comic element in the movie, Vora said: "As far as comedy is concerned, it is physically an action and reaction story. Akshaye is in a serious part and he is not supposed to be comical at all. While Arshad has to deliver humour punches and Akshaye has to react."

Vora entered showbiz as an actor with 1984 movie "Holi" and later debuted as a writer in 1995 with Aamir Khan-starrer "Rangeela". In 2000, he donned the director's cap for "Khiladi 420", which had Akshay Kumar as hero. He then made "Phir Hera Pheri" in 2006.

As a writer, Vora has mostly been associated with comedies like "Bhool Bhulaiyaa" (2007), "Hulchul" (2004), "Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar" (2001) and "Hera Pheri" (2000).

He admits comedy is his forte. "Comedy comes naturally to me. I derived it from my father. The main success point of my career was comedy because I used the personal aspect of a character and not SMS or Internet jokes like others."

After juggling different roles Vora, a self-proclaimed "strict" and "clinical" director, wants to concentrate on direction now. His future projects include "Run Bhola Run" and "Family".

"I'm 100 percent in the director's chair now and I'd also love to produce a film because it will give me more creative control on the project. The clarity that I've had in direction is the most among all my endeavours," said Vora, whose "Short Kut" is being produced by Anil Kapoor.

"Anil Kapoor is a very large-hearted producer...he is in love with cinema and every intricate detail associated with it. He is one producer who gives full freedom to his directors and will go to any extent for cinema," the director said.

Vora added that Anil was very keen to make the comedy.

"Anil always wanted to make this film and Anees (Bazmee) had already written the script from Roshan Andrews' Malayalam film ('Udayananu Tharam'). But then I made a lot of changes in the script. I wasn't looking for any flavour, but a story and it came out well," said Vora.

This is not the first time Anil has ventured into production. He first turned producer with "Badhaai Ho Badhaai" in 2002 and followed it up with the critically-acclaimed "Gandhi, My Father" (2007). He is also producing forthcoming movies "No Problem" and "Ayesha".

Actress Amrita Rao is out to surprise her fans and admirers. The actress, who is best known for as a demure girl next door, is out to change her image

Actress Amrita Rao is out to surprise her fans and admirers. The actress, who is best known for as a demure girl next door, is out to change her image with a vengeance. Fans and cinegoers will see the actress in her new avatar in Anil Kapoor's Shortkut.

The actress who has been seen in her 'simple Jane' avatar in film after film like Vivaah and Welcome To Sajjanpur, has decided to chuck her all covered look for Anil Kapoor's Shortkut, which also stars Akshay Khanna and Arshad Warsi. The actress is believed to have been in two minds about whether to take the plunge or not but Anil Kapoor is believed to have pushed her into going for it. Amrita decided to take his advice as Anil is known to be quite savvy and has been around for quite a while now. Trusting his instincts that the move would no backfire on her, Amrita decided to take the plunge. Luckily for the actress, she is naturally endowed with a slender frame and thus did not have to worry endlessly about how she would look in more contemperory clothes, which called for some skin show. One of the other perks of going glamorous was the fact that Amrita got a chance to be clothed by Manish Malhotra. The actress had earlier gone for a grunge look in Farah Khan's Main Hoon Na. She has otherwise never departed from her sweet, simple image which has been built up over the years, prompted mostly by her choice of films. But perhaps realising that she was limiting her choice of roles, the actress has decided to prove that she can handle glamour as well.

Manish Malhotra Gives Amrita Rao a Shortktut to Glamour!

Ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra owns the credit for creating many a memorable looks for Bollywood's leading ladies over the years. Most actresses in the industry swear by this fabric magician and implicitly trust his vision as far as defining their look is concerned. The man responsible in giving Urmila her sex kitten tag in Rangeela has in his 15 years worked with various various A list stars, which include include Kajol, Karisma Kapoor, Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta.

The latest star to join this bandwagon is Amrita Rao! Amrita has gone completely glam in her next outing ShortKut.

She willingly gives all the credit to her favourite designer Manish Malhotra! "Manish knew from day one how he wanted to style me. In ShortKut you will see me in bikini tops, short skirts, big diva esque hair and sultry eyes. I had a blast trying this look out! We sat over the look for an entire week discussing how we wanted to play it. I'm so happy with the result. I couldn't believe the transformation when I saw myself in the mirror!" laughs Amrita.

'I am not Shah Rukh, who charms people'

Akshaye Khanna is quite the elusive actor, who shows up only when his films are up for release. The actor puts down his behaviour to 'ultra shyness.'

He talks to Nithya Ramani about his film, Short Kut: The Con Is On, costarring Arshad Warsi and Amrita Rao. He also tells us why he thinks he did not make it to the A-list category in spite of being in the film industry for a little more than a decade.

What is Short Kut about?

It is about two characters -- a struggling actor, who wants to be a star and a struggling writer, who wants to become a great director. It is how these two achieve their goals. They have been friends for long but cannot stand each other.

I play Shekar and Arshad plays Raju. He steals my script and becomes a superstar. But I continue my struggle to make my way on top. There is a romantic track between Shekar and Mansi (Amrita Rao).

He sometimes gets tempted to take shortcuts but believes that there are no shortcuts in life.

It's a fun, entertaining film, with excellent characterizations.