Review of A.R. Rahman's "Ek Deewana Tha"
Cast: Prateik and Amy Jackson
Music: A.R. Rahman
Sachin is a regular guy, an engineering graduate from a middle class family in Mumbai who is in love with the world of cinema- desperately trying to make an entry into a film camp-- then he sees Jessie, and it is love at first sight for him.
Jessie is beautiful and smart, but Jessie is not that simple. Jessie belongs to an orthodox Malayali Christian family where watching movies, partying or falling in love are completely taboo.
EDT is a complete disappointment, it is about a boy that falls in love with a girl after running into her one time. The movie lacks depth and lingers on. The only redeeeming factor is that the music was by A.R. Rahman, there are a few good songs to check out. Best bet is to buy the CD and wait for the movie to come out on Netflix.
Interview with "EK DEEWANA THA" star Amy Jackson
Can you tell us about your character Jessie in Ek Deewana Tha?
Jackson: I play a Malayali Christian girl in Ek Deewana Tha. We have shot the movie in
New York, India, Kerala and Chennai over five months. It was a great experience
working with such a young and talented actor like Prateik. And Oscar-winning
composer A.R. Rahman did the music!
How is the change from Britain to Bollywood?
Jackson: I was new to acting before my role in Madrasapattinam. Though I was familiar
with Bollywood since there are many in Britain who watch Hindi movies, I hadn’t
watched any of these films before I came to Chennai. I have been away from home
since I was 17. I went to the US to start my modeling career at a very young
age. So, venturing into films and handling the pressure isn’t a big task. I feel
more comfortable in saris than gowns. Unlike Madrasapattinam where I wear gowns,
in Ek Deewana Tha, I wear saris and kurtas. I had never worn one before I
started shooting for the film and believe it’s the most elegant outfit for a
woman.
Was it hard to memorize Hindi for your part?
Jackson: The British accent is hard to miss. Ever since I decided to shift base to
India and made Mumbai my home, I have made an effort to learn Hindi and even
take diction classes. I couldn't understand a word of Hindi earlier. Though my
voice will be dubbed in the movie, it was easier to memorize Hindi than Tamil.
Before takes, I used to practice my lines for almost an hour to get it right.
Prateik did help me with the Hindi. =)
How have your friends in the U.K. responded to your international movie
career?
Jackson: I had no prior training in acting. Once Madharasapattinam released, we had a
premiere in Liverpool for my friends and family. They were surprised to see me
on screen! Even today, many of my friends who are in university back in England
find it tough to believe that I am part of Indian cinema. Some of them think I
am crazy. For me, this has been a dream come true!
How did you enjoy working with Ek Deewana Tha director Gautham Vasudev
Menon?
Jackson: A couple of weeks before we began shooting, we did a workshop to understand
the personalities of the characters we were playing. Gautham gave me a lot of
freedom. He is such a calm and collected director who gives his actors the
freedom to experiment. It was nice to be able to give my opinion.
What are your plans for the future?
Jackson: I will be starting work in a Tamil film opposite Vikram in March.