Rekha and Vishal Bhardwaj's son Aasmaan finding his footing

As Aasmaan forays into films with Kuttey, mother Rekha says he is charting his course without Vishal’s aid

Rekha Bhardwaj has every reason to beam like a proud mother. Her son Aasmaan has roped in some of the finest artistes of Bollywood — Naseeruddin Shah, Tabu and Konkona Sensharma, among others — for his directorial debut, Kuttey. “He studied filmmaking at the School of Visual Arts New York, where he passed with honours. It’s a proud moment for Vishal and me to see him work,” she says.

Rekha Bhardwaj

With celebrated filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj as father, many would assume that it was easy for Aasmaan to gain a foothold in the industry. However, the singer-mother insists that the first-time filmmaker is putting his project together without Vishal’s help. “The challenge [of finding your footing] arises, irrespective of whether you are Vishal’s son or somebody else’s son. You have to go through the creative and production challenges. He is handling it, and learning [in the process].”

Pulling off an ensemble film can be difficult. For Rekha, it’s heartening to see actors, who have frequently collaborated with Vishal, team up with the next generation. “Naseer bhai had taught Aasmaan swimming at a film festival in Goa. Now, when he calls him and says, ‘I’ve read the script, now you come and meet me,’ it’s a special feeling.”

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