Wrestling champion and actor Dara Singh, who passed away a few days ago, and the doyen of Hindi theatre Satyadev Dubey, who left this world last year, will be seen for the last time on screen in Rajpal Yadav's directorial debut Ata Pata Laapata.
About Dara Singh, Rajpal says, "He was so professional in spite of his failing health and so childlike in his enthusiasm about his role. By the time we came to his dubbing, he was too ill to travel. So, we recorded his dubbing at his home. We did try to get voices of mimic artistes to match Daraji's voice. But it was impossible. Dara Singhji's voice and personality can't be duplicated. He was one of his kind."
Asked about his film, Rajpal says, "When Satyadev Dubeyji agreed to be in my film, I felt I had achieved something great in life. And after that, Dara Singhji also agreed to be part of my film. Both the doyens were so inspiring to watch and direct. Satyadevji would say, 'Don't hesitate in correcting me if I am going wrong'. This, coming from the God of acting to someone who's not just his disciple but also a first-time director."
Ata Pata Laapata is a musical political satire and will see Dubey playing a theatre actor a la Sir Lawrence Olivier's portrayal of Shakespeare and Dara Singh as the owner of a drama company. Fortunately, the film has been completed, and will release in October.
Rajpal describes his film as an 'organised musical chaos'. Of the 175 actors, only 20 have acted in films while the rest are from theatre. Dara Singh even delivers a speech on the state of the nation in the film.
Ata Pata Laapata has been dedicated to Satyadev Dubey and Dara Singh.
