A trailer for the Hindi film Station, directed by Saad Khan, was launched recently at PVR Cinemas Forum Mall. Kannada film director Jacob Verghese and designer Prasad Bidapa, along with the all-Bangalore cast and crew of the movie, attended the event.
After working as an associate director to Ashutosh Gowariker, the film is Saad’s Bollywood debut as writer and director. “We are planning an all-India release in March,” he says, adding, “When I started off, I had this one idea, of making a Hindi movie and bringing Bangalore onto the media map, I never knew in the wildest dreams, that there would be so many people who would join me.”
The film was shot only during the night with a Red One MX camera. Saad explains the chaos, the excitement and difficulties of making Station. “Though I will make films with other teams or banners, the kind of learning this film provided, I don’t think I will never have it again. This was like losing virginity. That’s as close an example I can give. When you make all your mistakes in your first film, it will be remembered throughout. For me, a lot happened while making Station and it only added value to the project,” he says.
The film’s actors too are newcomers most of whom have a background in theatre.
Though his last name is Khan, Saad has no film connections. “My dad is an engineer and my mother, a housewife. My first brush with Bollywood came with working with Ashutosh,” he says.
On the fate of Station, Saad says, “One can’t pass judgement on a creative product. Film is an art form. I think I have done a decent job.”