'Tell Me O Kkhuda' is not a flop: Hema Malini

Hema Malini

Esha Deol

Hema Malini tells that her directorial endeavor 'Tell Me O Kkhuda', which was re-launching pad for her daughter Esha Deol, is not a box office disappointment.

'It's you people (media) who says it flopped. 'Tell Me O Kkhuda' is doing well and it did not flop as you people are saying. Unlike 'RA.One', it has very less print so it is doing well accordingly,' Hema Malini said journalists at a press meet before the function to celebrate 56th Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day.

'Tell Me O Kkhuda', Hema's second directorial venture after 1992 movie 'Dil Aashna Hai', was received with not so supportive reviews. Also, the viewers were more excited about Shah Rukh Khan's sci-fi superhero movie.

The state is running Beti Bachao Andolan and Hema Malini, mother of two daughters, told, 'I will do a 20-minute show and will present how women were treated in earlier times and how their conditions have changed now.'

She included that she is lucky to have daughters - Esha and Ahana - and that 'I have no wish of having sons as I know, I will get two jamais (sons-in-law) because of my daughters.'

Hema Malini, a Rajya Sabha member, was taken off guard when journos asked her whether she is charging for her performance at the Madhya Pradesh day celebrations or was doing it for free?

'Why would I do it for free. There is an entire team who works with me,' she answered in surprise, adding, 'But yes, I am charging a nominal fees.'

Madhya Pradesh is ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party, Hema Malini has been elected to the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat, another BJP ruled state, and is a vice-president of the party.

Film Tell Me O Kkhuda Review

Movie Review: 'Tell Me O Kkhuda';

Star cast: Esha Deol, Vinod Khanna, Rishi Kapoor, Dharmendra, Arjan Bajwa, Chanda Roy Sanyal;

Directed by Mayur Puri/Hema Malini;

It’s a just opposite plot of film Dil Aashna Hai, a story about a young girl who discovers that she is an adopted child and sets off on a journey with a supportive boyfriend to search for her real mother.

After two decades later, Malini decides to use the same formula-albeit with a negligible twist. This time, the young girl embarks on an adventure to trace her biological father, taking her on a cross-country journey where she comes in touch with three different men, one of whom might be her father.

It is really enjoyable to see Johnny Lever again with some funny side.

'Tell Me O Kkhuda' is a bit of a smile-invoking ode to parenthood.

Tanya (Esha Deol, in an author-backed, tailor-made, custom-built role), happily ensconced in her life of parents (benign Farouq Shaikh-Deepti Naval), best friend (Chandan Roy Sanyal) and sweet-heart (Arjan Bajwa) discovers she is an adopted child.

Thus begins her genealogical journey.

The drama unfolds with the least excitement or showiness.

To the narrative's credit, it dithers not from its picaresque aspirations.

Esha goes through three different emotional and geographical locations in pursuit of papa-dearest. Of these, the Turkish sojourn with Rishi Kapoor and the beautiful Turkish actress is the most crisply edited and packaged.

The Rajasthani sojourn with Vinod Khanna as a haveli-bound zamindar, meanders all over the place, subsuming issues such as female foeticide. Here the story makes ample space for a camel race which adds spectacle to the emotion without really saying much about the characters or their need to reach into the recesses of their heart.

The third segment which brings the real-life family of Dharmendra, Hema Malini and Esha together has a certain emotional resonance because of the real-life relations. The family portrait is heart-warming.

Shot in eye-catching locations including Istanbul, the movie could have done with a more evocative music score and tighter editing.

The performances range from the appealing to the supportable.

No doubt this film is intended to showcase Esha's evolved status as an actress. The girl has expressive eyes and an expressive face which knows how to hold an emotion. Esha is a graceful portrait of a girl in search of something echoing happiness.

'Tell Me O Kkhuda' is a heart-warming tale of a search for identity. It irregularly loses its way but at last finds a pleasing climax.

Overall it is worthy to watch for yesteryear magic on the big screen.

Arjan Bajwa praises Hema Malini’s multitasking Iron woman Personality!

Arjan Bajwa with Co-star

Esha Deol and Arjan Bajwa

Arjan Bajwa, who has so far worked with only male directors, tells he enjoyed working with Hema Malini in her directorial venture 'Tell Me Oh Khuda' and says she is authoritative yet fun to work with.

'Hemaji is an 'iron woman'. She has taken up so many roles in her personal life. She is a politician, a TV producer, a mother, a danseuse, a homemaker; she has been associated with social causes and now a filmmaker. One can learn so much from her and her work spirit,' Arjan said.

The movie is said to be Hema's attempt to re-launch her daughter Esha Deol in the film industry. It tracks the story of a girl's passionate quest to know her origins. Apart from Arjan, the film also stars Chandan Roy Sanyal.

Arjan, who forayed into Bollywood with Mani Ratnam's 'Guru' and then featured in movies like 'Faishon', calls himself fortunate to have got a chance to work with the 'Dream Girl'.

'I have grown up watching Hemaji's film. She is the ideal Hindi film heroine and has a vast experience as an actor. I consider myself fortunate enough to have got a chance to work with her in close proximity. I would say she is much more beautiful in real-life than she looks on screen,' told Arjan, 33.

'Hemaji is authoritative yet fun to work with. She has an amazing sense of humour, she would make remarks and you can't stop laughing on her jokes. She has complimented me for my work,' he included.

'Tell Me Oh Khuda' also brings together yesteryear stars Rishi Kapoor, Vinod Khanna and Dharmendra.

'All three of them are different. And you can learn a lot of things from them individually. Rishiji is very energetic and behaves like buddies. Vinodji is such a good looking man, one can learn so much from his life and Dharamji is like a father figure,' told Arjan who shared a special bonding with Bollywood's original He-Man on the sets.

'Since both Dharamji and I are Punjabis, we connected instantly. We used to sit together and talk in Punjabi. He used to tell me about the culture of Punjab. I had grown close to him during the shooting of the film,' he included.

'Tell Me Oh Khuda' is currently in post-production stage.

Arjan is also working on a movie with Manoj Bajpayee tentatively titled 'Bijnor'.