Karan Johar paid Rs 25 lakhs for the script of ‘Time Machine’ starring Aamir Khan, Juhi Chawla, says writer Karan Razdan: ‘Sona kharidne aaye ho ya pital kharidne aaye ho’ |

Filmmaker and writer Karan Razdan has worn many hats in the film industry, but few know that he is the creator of the ambitious but underrated film Time Machine. This project, which has Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla and directed by Shekhar Kapur, created a huge buzz before being abandoned. Razdan shared details about why the film was shelved. Talking about the story, Razdan elaborated on the revelation made by former art director Bijon Das Gupta on the question of 2021. The film looked at Aamir Khan’s character who accidentally traveled back and reached the Mahabharata era. Explaining the process, Razdan said in an interview with Bollywood Hungama, “The man does not know how to use a time machine. Woh machine ko leke udd jaata hai. They land in the past. When he wakes up, he hears the sound of war. He looks down and sees a fierce battle. Lord Krishna sees him. The winner asks the lord, ‘Yeh kya ho raha hai?’. Lord Krishna replies, ‘Mahabharat ladi ja rahi hai’! He wonders, ‘Oh, this is Mahabharat!’“He also showed that the protagonist’s journey was driven by a deep human desire. “He wanted to meet his mother and father. Paresh Rawal and Rohini Hattangadi played chacha-chachi. ND Balraj and Gulshan Grover were their sons and they were princes. They used to torture the opponent, and he was a servant.”Razdan also recalled how the idea for Time Machine came from a tragedy he and director Shekhar Kapur shared.“Shekhar Kapur lost his mother while my father died within six months. This is when we were working on Dushmani. We sat down and told them that we wanted to meet our dead parents again. This is where Shekhar came up with the idea of ​​Time Machine and we built it. In just three months, I wrote articles, videos and interviews. Shekhar was accused so much that he boarded Laxmikant-Pyarelal. I explained the idea to them and later to Anand Bakshi saab at his house. I also briefed the entire team of Aamir, Paresh Rawal and others. Paresh told me, ‘Climax narration ke waqt mujhe nikalna padega’. I asked him why. He replied, ‘Jiska climax sunn liya, woh picture chalti nahin hai’! He believed in it. At the same time I told him, ‘For him, just, baap’! After the story, everyone was charged.”When asked if the project could be revived in the current era of big film production, Razdan revealed that a number of prominent producers have expressed interest over the years.“Manmohan Shetty, Ramesh Taurani and Karan Johar wanted to make it. I even sent the script to Karan but he quoted a very low price.” He then counted his association with Dharma Productions, which Jugal Hansraj he was heading the news department at the time.“Jugal Hansraj was in charge of the story department at Dharma. Shekhar spoke to Jugal and the former told me to meet the latter. I told Jugal that I will present the story myself. But Jugal said it is not possible because Karan likes to read the script. Then I was told that I will be Rs. 25 lakhs. I was surprised. Hey, what can you do to be happy?”Razdan also expressed disappointment with the way the negotiations were conducted.“Karan Johar didn’t even come face to face. Also, let’s not forget that Shekhar is also involved. This is a big honor.”He also explained that producer Firoz Nadiadwala has also explored the possibilities of resuming the project.“Firoz Nadiadwala wanted to produce it. I gave the entire story in Guddu ji’s (Rakesh Roshan) house. Hrithik was also there. But the story could not go ahead because he did not know who should direct it. Shekhar had made it clear that since I was involved as a writer, I should not direct as the team would need my writing.”Razdan concluded by revealing that the name of another well-known filmmaker had been considered, but he did not believe it was the right one.“Rajkumar Santoshi’s name came up. But I didn’t accept it because this was not his type.”