Ahmed's production debut, produced by his wife Shaira Khan, is titled
Paathshala. Starring
Shahid Kapoor, Nana Patekar,
Ayesha Takia and
Suniel Shetty in pivotal characters, the film revolves around kids and is set in a school campus.
Ahmed isn't directing the film; instead, he has entrusted the directorial reins to Milind Uke. The kids finalized for the key roles are Swini [
Cheeni Kum], Ali [
Fanaa, Ta Ra Rum Pum] and Dwij [
Nanhe Jaisalmer], besides several child actors. "
Paathshala is about the student-teacher relationship. It's a highly emotional subject," Ahmed tells me, “I can confidently state that it's the most lavish children's film made in India."
Meanwhile, Ahmed has erected a massive set of a school at Film City. In fact, the set houses class rooms, dormitories, principal's cabin, staff rooms, 6/7 huge corridors, basket ball court, garden, assembly hall, music room and canteen. Shooting of the film commenced from January 27.
Hanif, who rendered the popular song 'Ye Dooriyan' in
Fool N Final, is scoring the music of the film. Adlabs is backing the project.
Tags: shahid kapoor, paathshala, nana patekar, ayesha takia, suniel shetty, ahmed khan, fanaa, ta ra rum pum, hanif, milind uke.