The wanton wily wannabe-rich adulterous woman's role in Ishqiya gave to audiences a new kind of cinematic heroine. Rustic robust and full-bodied in her sexual appetite. Vidya in Ishqiya was like no other screen queen before.
Interestingly Abhishek's mentor and producer Vishal Bharadwaj too explored a very different sexually-charged and voluptuous aspect of womanhood in his directorial undertaking 7 Khoon Maaf. But Choubey is quick to point out he had nothing to do with 7 Khoon Maaf.
"In fact it is Vishal's first film where i was not involved, " says the Ishqiya director.
The challenge for Choubey is to take the female protagonist in his second film beyond Vidya Balan in Ishqiya and Priyanka Chopra in 7 Khoon Maaf.
Says Choubey, "The woman in my next film is not just delicious in her provocative attitude she is also deeply mysterious. I can't say if she is unique. But she's certainly arresting and in no way like the typical heroines."
Apparently the young director would cast Vidya Balan in the central part again. The woman's part would again be a whammer, though far more sophisticated and mysterious than in the previous film.
Confirming these components in his second film Abhishek Choubey says, "Yes, I'm making a dark thriller. Since it's a whodunit the title has to be just right. My producer and mentor Vishal Bharadwaj had given me a fantastic title in Ishqiya. I'll have to lean on him again this time for a title."
Interestingly Choubey who took his plot and characters in Ishqiya to the rural badlands of North India is moving completely away , into a suburban setting this time.Says Choubey, "My second film is set in Mumbai. I want to run the script by my writer and director friends in Mumbai to see if I've got the nuances right."
As for the casting Choubey is understandably reluctant to reveal anything. "All I can tell you is I can't have Naseer Saab back in my second, much as I'd like to. There's no protagonist of that age in my second film. As for Vidya and Arshad, it is too early to talk."
And yes, Gulzar Saab will write the lyrics and Vishal Bhardwaj will score the music. Says Choubey, "I can't imagine making a film without them. Look at the impact of Dil to bachcha hai jee. I am quite happy to see Madhur Bhandarkar has named his film after my song."
