All set for sweet Sixteen

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Raji P. Shrivastava [1]

Several Bollywood films have centred on the teenage romance, but an upcoming film titled Sixteen particularly zooms on the world of sixteen-year-olds, capturing the life of these teens, as they go through their loves and heartaches, dreams and aspirations in their school, home and the outside world. We recently caught up with VJ-turned-actor Keith Sequeira, who is all set to make his Bollywood debut with Sixteen in a lead role.
“It is a story about the teenagers and the problems that they face and how the age of innocence is gradually fading away because of fast-growing technologies and cut throat competition,” says Keith, who is best remembered for the music video of Nahi Nahi, Abhi Nahi (with Ayesha Takia) and several popular TV commercials.
Talking about his role in the film, Keith says, “It’s my first big screen project, and I chose it mainly because the script was strong, relatable and coming-of-age story. I am playing a 32-year-old author named Vikram Kapoor, who gets inspired by the lives and problems that teenagers encounter. The author is somebody who has his roots in Delhi, but has grown up in UK. I am not portraying the stereotypical kurta-jhola writer. My director asked me to be keep my wardrobe simple yet elegant and intellectual.”
The film coincides with the release of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (BMB) to which Keith says, “BMB is undoubtedly a much-awaited film and even I am going to watch it. But Sixteen, on the other hand belongs to a very different genre. I am hoping the audience will have good options to choose over the weekend, when the two films are slated to release.”
When quizzed about how was the transition from being a VJ to a Bollywood actor, Keith says, “Being a VJ, I was already confident facing the camera. In fact, video jockeying helped me in developing specific body language and enhanced my dressing style. Bollywood is just a bigger medium with a greater target audience.”
The film has mostly been shot in the backdrop of Delhi. Says Keith, “It was so much fun shooting in the capital. It was like revisiting my roots since my family is settled here. Since we mostly shot around Purani Dilli, so we gorged on crispy tikkis, aloo chaat and gol gappe. “
Before signing off, Keith adds, “The film also focuses on how youngsters should be given the freedom to express themselves freely. If a 16-year-old girl walks up to her mother to talk about her first kiss, the mother should act like a friend instead of scolding her. Parents should not pressurise kids in terms of their career or choice of their partners. Right amount of exposure at the right age is very important for a healthy childhood.”

The film directed by Raj Purohit and Pawan Soni is releasing this Friday