IAS officers to scrutinise Abhay Deol’s ‘Shanghai’

Zeenews Bureau

Mumbai: Before Abhay Deol’s ‘Shanghai’ hits the marquee for the common audience, the film will be screened to a batch of 15 IAS officers on June 5. Dibakar Banerjee’s upcoming political thriller sees Abhay essaying the role of an administrative officer. The officials, who will be present in Mussoorie for their annual meet next month, will be watching the film two days before its international premiere takes place in Singapore. "My character is from their world, that`s why we want to show them our film. I hope we can screen it for some chief ministers as well," says Deol, who plays the part of an IAS officer in the multi-starrer. He adds, "My character is powerful, opinionated, quiet, straightforward and egotistical." Banerjee spent two months studying the mannerisms of IAS officers for the film. He said, "I stayed at the IAS Officers` club in Hyderabad and observed the officials. How after an early morning game of badminton, they sit and discuss issues over a cup of tea; the way they interact with politicians and cops." It was during his stay in Hyderabad that an officer suggested Banerjee screen the film at the annual IAS officers` event in Mussoorie. "When the rough cut was shown to an IAS officer, he told us it was quite authentic, praising the detail. Now that so many will see it together, let`s see if they will rip us, praise or put us in jail!"