My Brother Nikhil One more Bollywood filim on HIV/AIDS

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Sanjay Suri plays title role in film on AIDS:

Mumbai, Aug 2 (IANS) :

Bollywood, the world's most prolific film industry, finally seems to

be waking up to AIDS.

After " Phir Milenge " , now comes " My Brother Nikhil " in which the

under-rated Sanjay Suri plays an HIV positive character.

" It's a big leap forward for me. This is the kind of opportunity

I've been waiting for. The entire story unfolds from a sister's

point of view. My sister is played by Juhi Chawla, " Sanjay told IANS.

So after " Jhankar Beats " where they played husband and wife, the two

play siblings in " My Brother Nikhil " . Victor Banerjee and Lilette

Dubey play their parents. Dia Mirza also puts in an appearance as

Sanjay's love interest.

Says Sanjay: " It deals with how a closely knit family disintegrates

when such a tragedy happens....I was involved with the project from

conception.

" I think Bollywood needs to acknowledge AIDS. People with HIV don't

need sympathy, they need our acceptance. "

But why the secrecy? Even director Revathi and Shilpa Shetty are

reluctant to reveal the subject in " Phir Milenge " .

Ponders Sanjay, " I guess it's entirely from the marketing viewpoint.

The minute the distributors hear it's about AIDS they baulk: 'Oh,

it'll be a serious film.'

According to Banerjee, who plays Sanjay's father, " It's a dream role

for Sanjay. I'd have given anything to play it. But I'm happy

playing his father. It's a film I'm proud to be in. "

Says Sanjay: " My other film with the same director is 'Ashq', which

is ready to roll but isn't getting off the ground. Anirban and I

decided we have to work together.

" Anirban hasn't written 'My Brother Nikhil' as an offbeat niche

film. It's a very emotional mass-oriented film. I'm so charged and

kicked about my character. "

Sanjay has shaved his head for the role. " I play a swimmer. I'm an

awesome swimmer. Back home, I used to swim in the lakes of Srinagar.

Now I'm trying to swim in the oily lakes of Bollywood. We're

shooting the entire film in Goa. "

The film is in Hindi " with about 20 percent in English because it's

situated in Goa. I know Victor Banerjee says he'd have loved to play

my role. But his role is really amazing.

" And Juhi! We needed someone whom people would listen to. She's in

command and still vulnerable. "

In the meanwhile, Sanjay's other film with Anirban - " Ashq " - for

Pritish Nandy Communications remains uncertain.

" I'm committed to 'Ashq' whenever they make it. "

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