Aao Wish Karein
Directed by: Glenn Baretto
Producer by: Aftab Shivdasani
Starring: Aftab Shivdasani, Aamna Shariff, Johny Lever, Ritesh Deshmukh
Music Dir: Ankur Tewari, Xulfi, Mikey Mccleary

Actor Aftab Shivdasani has traveled a long way but without making much headway in the film industry. So, he didn't sit idle in the absence of film offers and rightly decided to enter production.

Again, he was right in collaborating with Mahendra group's Mumbai Mantra and Rising Sun Entertainment to produce his debut film 'Aao wish Karein'.

He views that a small budget movie fares well at multiplexes, and bears little risk for a producer, especially a beginner in the field. The actor-turned-producer has himself written the story as well as the screenplay.

He completed the movie's outdoor shooting in the beautiful hills of Himachal and indoor in the Kamalistan studio of Mumbai within two months. Aftab is said to have borrowed the title from a TV ad of Shah Rukh Khan.

So, he wanted someone special to do the voice over. Aftab and director Glenn Baretto wanted Shah Rukh Khan to do the needful. Though they were hesitant whether King Khan would accept their request, they were in for a big surprise.

Aftab says, "I went on the sets of 'My Name is Khan', and requested him that this being my first film, I would want him to do a voice over, and he agreed." Aftab and director Baretto believe that SRK's voice has made a huge difference to the movie.

People don't need to see him to recognize his voice. It's right at the beginning of the movie and will hold the audiences' attention," he adds. Thus, Aftab Shivdasani's wish for 'Aao Wish Karein' has come true. The movie also stars Aamna Sharif and Johny Lever.

The movie that is about a 12-year-old boy who makes a wish to grow up overnight has Aftab playing the lead and producing the film. He has also co-written the story. He says, "I have been living with the character for two years. Of course, doing three things at a time on one project is difficult, but I had a great team to support me."

According to the story, the movie moves around a twelve-year-old Mickey played by Aftab falling in love with 21-year-old Mithika played by Aamna.

Though the boy is younger to his love interest, he wishes well for his love when he turns an adult overnight. He sings songs with her, treats her to fries and burgers, gifts her a dinky car, invites her to share his play station and welcomes her in Spiderman slippers!

The simple pahadi (hill) girl even cajoles him into marriage and waits for him at the altar. Aftab fails in making his debut production a success inasmuch as it neither appeals to children nor to adults.

He took inspiration from Tom Hanks' 1988 classic ('Big') that was nominated for two Oscars; However, he fails in his honest attempt. After all, he is no match to Tom Hanks in translating his movie into a desi 'Big' nor does he provide it a Penny Marshal's kind of experience.

Acting-wise, Aftab has performed well and so also Aamna, but nothing special to mention. Choreography by Longine Fernandes is good. Music is pleasant and melodic.

After all, three directors - Ankur Tewary,Xulfi, and Mickey McCleary - are engaged in the job. 'Kuch aisa and sabse peeche khade' looks like being a humming song for the audience. Keshav Prakash's cinematography of the outdoor shooting of picturesque Himachali hills is excellent.