Mid-day
Mumbai, Mar 11: Shekhar S Jha has been serving the income tax department in Kalyan for the last 15 years. But the taxman had always dreamt of calling the shots - behind the camera.
Come May 6, and Jha’s debut film - Eik Dasttak - will make it to theatres. With Vasundhara Das in the lead role, the film is based on the life of Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officials.
An I-T officer for over 15 years, Shekhar S Jha (first from left), seen here with Vasundhara Das, has called his movie, Eik Dasttak
Jha - who’s also done the screenplay - says the subject is close to his heart. “I have seen and lived the life of an IRS man. I’m familiar with the way they work, the political pressures on them and the conflict between ethics and reality,” says the debutant director.
“The film portrays the world of an IRS officer. It’s not inspired by any one officer, but just based on the fraternity,” he adds.
Eik Dasttak is the story of four dedicated officers and the price they pay when they lock their horns with political bigwigs. Most of the film has been shot in locations in and around Mumbai.
Other actors in the cast include Narendra N Jha, Amith Behl, Murli Sharma, Yateen Karyekar, Shreya Narayan, Charanjeet Singh and Liliput.
More on Vasundhara Das from Daijiworld archives: