I know Kunal Khemu since college, girls used to whistle on seeing me – ‘Kanjus Makkhichoos’ director Vipul Mehta

Writing for shows like Kusum because Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi
Vipul has experience in writing and directing plays. In his words, ‘I must have done around 2000 plays for Copwood in various colleges like Mithibai, NM. I also did three flop plays. Acted for a living, but Ekta Kapoor gave me the opportunity to write in Koshish Ek Asha and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu and Ekta Kapoor in Kusum. My journey as a writer started in 2000, which was quite successful and after that I made my debut in plays in 2001 with Dilip Joshi’s Jalsa Karo Jayantilal.

Was about to direct Super Nani with Bollywood diva Rekha ji
He says, ‘The era of plays was at its peak. Directors Indra Kumar and Ashok Thakaria had come to watch my play Bae Mari Boundary. He liked the play so much that he offered to direct a film on it. But when Rekha ji came in the film, she said, she will direct. That film was Super Nani. That was my first film as a writer. It took four-five years. My first Gujarati film was Carry On Kesar which was based on my Gujarati play Ba Ne Ghari Aayo Babu. Supriya Pathak acted in it. Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan also had cameos. When we were planning to release the film, demonetisation happened in November. The film did not do well upon its release in March. The film Best of Luck Lalu, based on my single mother, was highly appreciated.

Aamir Khan’s son’s film got after the film that earned 70 crores
About his block buster Gujarati film, he says, ‘My Gujarati film Chaal Jeevi Liye has proved to be the biggest block buster of the Gujarati film industry. It is running in theaters for the last four years and has done a business of 70 crores till now. Got recognition after this film. Writing the debut film of Aamir Khan’s son Junaid, Maharaja. It is being directed by Siddharth P Malhotra. The first narration of this film was heard by Aamir Khan only. Apart from this, I have also written a film for director Omung Kumar, Fauja Singh. Meanwhile, I did the Marathi version of Chaal Jeevi Liye with Nana Patekar and Tanvi.

Kanjus Makkhichus is a film in the tradition of Basu da and Hrishikesh da
About his film Kanjus Makkhichus, he says, ‘Actually very big actors of our Gujarati industry had gone to visit Char Dham and suddenly there was a cloudburst. We could not contact them for 12 days. Our entire industry was worried. The play ‘Swajan Re Jhooth Mat Bolo’ is based on the same true incident and I am coming up with my new film ‘Kanjus Makkhichus’ on the same. Kunal Khemu and Shweta Tripathi are in it. I have known Kunal since college days. He would direct plays for NM College and I would direct for Mithibai. Some time ago I got a call from Kunal and my producer to give narration. I was surprised because I didn’t send the script to Kunal, he was sent by my producer. However, Kunal liked the script and thus Kanjoos Makkhichus is now coming in front of the audience. This is a film in the tradition of Basu Chatterjee and Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Will air on Zee Five. I am a cinema lover, but there is no doubt why the film is coming on OTT? There is satisfaction that it will reach maximum audience through OTT.

When the auto guy refused to take the money
Taking his point forward, he says, ‘Theatre has given me a lot. My identity was formed from there, but I still remember one incident, I was going to Dahisar by auto after finishing the play Lali Leela from Ghatkopar and on the way I was discussing with Sanjay Goradia, the producer of the play. After reaching the destination the auto guy refused to accept the money knowing that I was the director of Laali Leela. He said, Sir, we do not have the capacity to watch the play, but on the insistence of our daughter and wife, we went to watch the play with a back row ticket of 50 rupees, and after seeing the play, you were honored. I will not take money I got very emotional. I not only gave him the money but another Rs 500 and invited him to watch the play in the front row at my next show. The show went through a must go on situation several times in the theatre. I remember once in a play, after the main actor had become ill, I had cast him at the last moment on a short notice of two hours. Many times he remained hungry and thirsty, many times the property of the drama was taken away from home. But it is true that the training in drama was very useful in films too.