Mustafa Burmawalla wants to carve his own Bollywood path

Mustafa Burmawalla, son of director Abbas Burmawalla of the famed Abbas-Mustan directing duo, says his family background won’t give him an advantage after the release of his debut film, Machine.

“Being from the family that I come from is a huge honour. I got my first opportunity within the family. But that’s it. I know after this I’m on my own,” Burmawalla said.

“Machine was not designed for me. My father and uncle were planning the project. I had no intention of being an actor. I always wanted to be a director. I had studied direction at the New York Film Academy. I had even directed several short films. My aim was to direct one day. It still is,” he said.

It was Burmawalla’s cousin who suggested his name for Machine.

“I had assisted my father and uncle on three of their films — Players, Race 2 and Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon. I was supposed to assist them on Machine. My uncle Hussain’s son [the third Burmawala brother who edits all their films] thought I’d be right for the role. I was called by my father and the two uncles to read the script aloud. I didn’t know it was an audition. They liked what they heard. But they still didn’t know if I could act. So I prepared a show reel of 15 minutes. That’s what got me the role,” Burmawalla said.

Burmawalla says family ties are never allowed to interfere in the business of filmmaking.

“We all live under the same roof in one home as one family. There is no difference for me between my father and my two uncles. And my cousin is like my own brother. But my father and uncles are thorough professionals at work. From the time they directed their first film Agneekaal whoever they have worked with has been chosen for suitability, and no other reason. I’d like to believe I was selected in Machine because I was right for the role,” he added.

Burmawalla praised his co-star Kiara Advani.

“She was so easy to work with, and so helpful. Shooting the film was like a picnic,” he said.

The romantic thriller is slated to release in the UAE on March 16.

“Machine is being released a week after a big film like Badrinath Ki Dulhania, which features Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt — who have a huge fan following. Even I am a fan. I hope some of their fans come to see our film too,” he said.