“Shot in the Dark—Hey Ram’ which marks my son Bobby Vij’s debut , will be a big-star cast, present-day movie,” assures Deepak Balraj Vij - <strong>Chaitanya Padukone</strong>

Even as the countdown begins for ushering in the New Year 2023 , veteran yet young-at-heart musical-hits movie writer-film-maker Deepak Balraj Vij is already in a ‘celebratory mood’ for multiple reasons !  ‘Music-savvy Deepak Balraj Vij who is the writer of the all-time musical global mega-hit ‘Disco Dancer’  (1982), has directed many milestone movies including  Jaan Tere Naam, Sailaab, Hafta Bandh, Mumbai Godfather , Stuntman and Sheela has now launched his smart, macho actor-son Bobby Vij in his upcoming next movie. 

With a sense of elated joy, Deepak, discloses that “ I have cast my  star-material son Bobby Vij in this new action-thriller-romantic realistic Hindi movie titled ‘Shot in The Dark-Hey Raam’ . The shooting is already in full swing  As a casting coup I have also cast my actress wife Kishori Shahane-Vij  in a multi-layered character as his ‘reel-wife’ mother in this same movie, “ reveals Deepak who is delighted to share yet another latest khush khabri.  Discloses Deepak, “ Last night Kishori  received the prestigious  Kaladarpan Special jury Award for her outstanding performance in this emotional-social thriller Marathi film Jivan Sandhya, directed by Deepak Prabhakar Mandade.. Even though this movie was hailed by critics and public for her realistic performance the Awards had apparently been dodging her. Finally now, Kaladarpan awarded her,” shares Balraj.

Would director Deepak disclose a few details about his son Bobby’s role and also who is likely to play his heroine  ?  Responds the ‘Sailaab’ director,”  Bobby Vij plays the riveting lead role of lover-boy in Shot in The Dark-Hey Raam’ who due to circumstances become a sharp-shooter-gun-man. Honestly,  I would love to give a debut-break to a new promising female face. But due to box-office and movie-market constraints I will be compelled to cast  a popular well-known celebrity young actress who will be a perfect match for Bobby on-screen,” insists ‘star-maker’ Deepak Balraj, who has made films with several upcoming artistes who later became top-stars  Celeb-actors including  Aditya Pancholi, Ronit Roy, Jackie Shroff, Shakti Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Mandakini  and many more have all worked with him. “This time for one of the important roles, I may be even approaching relatively senior actresses like Vidya Balan, Tabu, Sushmita Sen or even Mandakini with whom I have worked in ‘Kahaan Hai Kanoon’ (1989),” discloses Deepak who will also incorporate one of  ‘late’ iconic Bappi-da Lahiri’s last recorded songs—a solo track by Shreya Ghoshal--specially composed for this new movie.  

The differently titled film Shot in The Dark-Hey Raam’ is inspired by real-life events. Anticipating speculations Deepak clarifies, “ Although the Hey Ram may give the feel of   revered Bapu Gandhi-ji, my movie is not a historical or period movie at all, It’s a contemporary, present-day.  ‘live-and-let-live’ mantra, youth-centric dynamic movie with powerful story and emotional vibes  The story is that a young man is living with his mother in a small town in North India. He comes to Mumbai for job opportunities but gets allured into the web of gun-culture. He feels that fear can be established mainly on the strength of deadly weapons. He becomes deeply influenced by the power of the killer-weapon and this influence traps him in a vicious cycle. That's the essence of the powerful story with impactful dialogues."

On casting his own son Bobby, Deepak Balraj says, "My movie ( Shot in the Dark..Hey Ram’)  is the story of a young vulnerable yet ambitious boy. So I felt Bobby was a perfect choice for the character. I took his screen test and he flawlessly delivered four pages of dialogues .Proving that with his illustrious filmy lineage,  acting runs in his blood and genes.  As is known, Bobby is the winner of  prestigious Gladrags Competition and he has also taken formal training in action and mock-fight scenes,” explains Deepak who plans to also revive the sequel  ‘Jaan Tere Naam part 2”., once this current project is wrapped up.