Photo: Shahid Kapoor and Pankaj Kapoor via santabanta.com

Buzz is that Shahid Kapoor will take time off from November 2009 to prepare for the movie. He will not take on any other roles till the time Mausam is wrapped up, in July 2010.

Mausam will be shot extensively in India, UK, Italy, Spain, and Austria.

An out-and-out romance, Mausam will be written by Pankaj Kapoor himself.

The female lead has not been finalized as yet. A nationwide talent hunt will start soon. Reportedly, Pankaj Kapoor wants a fresh face for the movie.

Pankaj Kapoor is one of the finest actors India has ever produced, but, sadly, has not received his due.

Kapoor started as a stage actor; he made his film debut in Shyam Benegal’s 1982 film Arohan. What followed was an eclectic mix of roles, that included his unforgettable turn as Tarneja in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron (1983), Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho! (1984), Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986), Ek Ruka Hua Faisla (1986), Raakh (1989), and Ek Doctor Ki Maut (1991).

His recent movies include Vishal Bharadwaj’s Maqbool (2003) and Blue Umbrella (2007) in which he has given finely nuanced performances.

Pankaj Kapoor has won the National Award thrice in his career, Best Supporting Actor, Raakh (1989), Special Jury Award for Ek Doctor Ki Maut (1991), and again for Best Supporting Actor for Maqbool.

Ludicrously, he also won the Best Actor in a Negative Role Fiimfare award for Blue Umbrella, in 2008.

I remember Pankaj Kapoor saying at the award ceremony that what did the poor guy do? He just stole an umbrella! It would have been much better if they hadn’t given him any award than insulting his fine performance as a man who covets and steals a shiny umbrella from a little girl and pays a heavy price for it. I bet the guys at Filmfare didn’t even see the movie.

Pankaj Kapoor will be next seen in Awasthi, directed by Bhavna Talwar (director of the controversial Dharm, also starring Pankaj Kapoor).

Kapoor has also written the story of Awasthi, that will be released in 2009.

Fresh from the success of Jab We Met and Kaminey, Shahid Kapoor will be next seen in Chance Pe Dance, costarring Genelia D’Souza, that will be released later in 2009.