Writer Apurva vs Kangana

Even as Kangana Ranaut’s next, Simran’s teaser was released earlier this week, writer Apurva Asrani’s story seems to have stirred a debate. The writer had a showdown when he was told by filmmaker Hansal Mehta that Kangana too would be getting writing credits for Simran.

Not too long ago, Kangana had made headlines when she called Karan Johar the flag-bearer for nepotism. But the picking up of credits has left a rather sour taste in the mouth for all involved.

Hansal is working with someone with a star status for the first time. So, was he helpless to take a stand, or did he have to sacrifice his bishop for a queen?

Apurva admits that he was surprised when he was told Kangana would share writing credits. “I was surprised. After the edit of the film was completed last month, I was informed that Kangana would be sharing the writing credit. I didn’t agree to it and I was let down by Hansal. I am going through a low phase right now,” he says.

“We are all accomplished National award winners. So, it was a beautiful collaboration,” Apurva says about the movie, however, and adds, “I think the way it was handled could have been done with little more sensitivity.”

While star power can help take a film to another level, it can leave the crew working on the movie helpless. And the writer, often a silent contributor to the process, must bear the brunt. With a star in the project, it’s often said that interference increases manifold, but Apurva says it’s not the first time he’s worked with a star.

He says, “I have worked with Anil Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Urmila, Akshay Kumar and John Abraham. These stars, in their own way, have contributed to the filmmaking process. I believe that everybody adds value. As an editor, there are bad performances that I cut, and good ones that enhance the performance, but that doesn’t mean I am a co-actor.”

“I tried to reason with Hansal, but I think he was very interested in that (sharing of the credits) and that cost us our relationship,” Apurva sighs.