Raj Kundra, Shahnawaz Ali open up about their film 'UT69'
Oct 25, 2023
New Delhi [India], October 25 : Businessman Raj Kundra and director Shahnawaz Ali are busy promoting their film 'UT69'. The director said that his motive behind making the film was to show what Kundra faced inside the jail and how tough it was for him to go through the pain and suffering.
While interacting with the media, he said, "When Raj came out of jail, I asked him about his experience and what he has to face inside Arthur Road jail. Then he gave me some notes or written memoirs in which he shared details about every day. He also mentioned special food as it used to be a big event and the life inside the jail which is different from our imagination. I thought to bring it on screen."
Raj added, "He took the notes from me and after 40 days came up with the idea about making this film. He asked me not to write a book as 'I will make a movie'. And I said, 'Okay'. He also suggested my name for the lead role and I was shocked initially. I told him that before making this movie you have to get permission from Shilpa Shetty."
Kundra continued, "Ali met Shilpa and told her about the story and she liked it. However, she said, 'You make the movie but if I don't like it no one is going to watch it.'"
"So, it was not easy to make her agree."
Sharing about his life inside the jail, he said, "It was not easy. I can't explain the pain. Life is tough inside the jail. But I am a self-made man, who drove a taxi at the age of 18 and established my business. I travelled in economy class so I knew how to adjust to difficulties. In fact, some of the friends I made there from Dharavi told me, 'aap ko dekh ke hume himmat milti hai'."
When asked how he prepared for the role, Kundra replied, "It was my experience so nothing was created. In one of the scenes, when I had to call my wife, the director asked me to relive it and I started crying. I didn't need glycerin. Because every emotion was real. Of course, I attended acting workshops and the director helped me to understand the technicalities."
"I have faced huge financial loss and there is so much pain that even today it is not easy to discuss it," he shared.
Talking about the title of the film, the director said, "' UT' stands for under trial and 69 is the identity number that is given inside the Arthur jail moreover 69 stands for peace and balance."
'UT69' is all set to be released on November 3.
