Bhindi Baazaar Inc
Director Ankush Bhatt has set out to present a gritty drama, making the `pickpocketing profession' as the backbone of the film. For him, pickpocketing is more heroic to than a gangster killing someone with a gun and he was fascinated by the idea as to how a person is able to flick a purse in the midst of hundreds of people. And thus evolved the storyline of this film..
`Bhindi Baazaar Inc.' is written by Ghalib Asad Bhopali and Kapil Gulati while the music is by Sandeep and Surya.
The Story Outline
Set in the underbelly of Mumbai, between the infamous by-lanes where `Greed is a Culture' and `Deceit becomes a Compulsion'.
The film revolves around gangs of Mumbai who have embraced pick-pocketing as an art and a means of earning a livelihood. They use their intelligence as a canvas and their spontaneity as a brush to survive in this dangerous profession.
`Bhindi Baazaar Inc.' is the story of a pawn and his calculated moves to reach the other end of the chessboard. Revolving around vicious crime syndicates, the film starts with a game of chess being played between two characters - `Shroff' and `Darzi'. It highlights the ambitious and planned moves of a pawn to reach the other end of the board. Their every move in the game correlates with life in the real world and how people are used or killed as the game progresses.
The story is based on the quest of a small time pickpocket `Fateh' and his ambitions to become a Mamu (local area Don).
The screenplay underlines the gritty politics, feared hierarchy, unspoken rules, authoritative commands, shrewd intelligence, crafty wit and cold blooded betrayals, within the business.
Character Sketches
Mamu (Local area don) - The white Vazir. Mamu, aged 45, is shrewd, intelligent, and the head of pickpockets for the area Byculla to Worli Sea face. A man of few words, he always believes in, "Never starting a fight but always finishing it."
Fateh - A white Pawn, swift, spontaneous, ambitious. Next in line to be Mamu but his ambitions overcome his patience.
Darzi - Another white Pawn, smart, handsome man. There seems no specific why he is a pickpocket. Is always in awe of Fateh. One day wants to become like him.
Bano - The white Bishop. She is a little older than her husband (Mamu). The eldest of her 17 siblings, she has gone through cut throat competition even to eat a meal. Else she would have to remain hungry.
Pandey - The black Vazir. Corrupt, does all things which are illegal. Arch rivals with Mamu. Always has had a vengeance and jealousy for Mamu. He has a small middle class area to rule and pickpocket.
Kanjri - Another white Pawn, also a pickpocket, Kanjri loves Fateh. Though she continuously expresses her love for him, Fateh is never interested in her.
Shabana - Black Bishop, Bano's sister, she has Mamu trapped by her charm. Fateh and Sankat too have fallen for her. All the three men dance to the tune of her beauty.
Simran - The character who is not on the chessboard. The simple girl next door, she is a lovely looking girl who hails from a middleclass family. Darzi is infatuated by her and she by him. However, she does not know that he is a pickpocket.
Shroff - The big shot, top on the hierarchy list, who holds a position in several businesses and resides in the Posh Malabar Hill area. He has risen from a mere Pickpocket to Mamu and now he is at a position where he can control Mamu. He has seen it all and done it all. He knows what it takes to be the Mamu and he truly can recognize a Pawn becoming a Vazir, his Vazir. Through the game of Chess he tests Darzi, his moves and thus his capabilities to be a MAMU.
John - John is a Narcotics officer by profession. In the game of chess he represents the white horse. Being involved in the major shoot out/killings in the film, he plays a special role in the development of the plot of the film.
The Arrival
`Bhindi Baazaar Inc.' is waiting to hit the screens on February 2011. The film is includes eminent actors like Kay Kay Menon, Prashant Narayanan, Pawan Malhotra, Piyush Mishra, Deepti Naval,Shilpa Shukla, Vedita Pratap Singh, Caterina Lopez and debutants Shweta Verma and Gautam.