Iconic Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah's appearance in the upcoming Hindi feature film The Blueberry Hunt will surprise everyone – for Shah's character is one that is vastly different from any other played by any actor in Indian cinema.
Going by the movie stills, Naseeruddin Shah appears with lengthy dreadlocks and with a gun in hand. He plays a reclusive stranger who lives with his large German Shepherd in his remote estate in Vagamon, Kerala; his real identity is a mystery. The dreadlocks were designed by well-known hair designer Sapna Bhavnani.
The film is directed by Anup Kurian, who was born in Kottayam but has made Mumbai his base.
The dreadlocks-look of the character was suggested by Shah himself to Kurian, who also wrote the story. "I was not really sure when he floated this idea, but then I told myself, if there is one actor who can pull this off, it will be Naseeruddin Shah," said Kurian.
“Naseeruddin Shah's preparation for this character was meticulous. His toned physique and physical agility came handy to do the numerous action sequences in the film. There is a scene where he jumps from the top of a 30-ft rock at an assassin. There are other scenes in the film, such as jumping into the ice-cold water of a mountain stream and shootouts in a jungle. All done without any dupe or external help as the norm in the film industry,” added Kurian.
The Blueberry Hunt is made in Hindi but also has Hindi, English, Malayalam and Marathi. He has also introduced Nagaland music group 'Cultural Vibrants' in the film. This is Kurian's second feature film. His first film “Manasarovar,” made in 2005, won many awards including for the best debutant director, and was judged the best film at various national and international festivals.
Kurian did his bachelor of science in chemistry from CMS College in Kottayam, MCA from Bharatidasan University, and earned his diploma in film production from FTII, Pune.