Imtiaz Ali teams up with brother Arif for a short film titled 'Paani Panchayat'

He's is one of the most respected directors in Bollywood, and Imtiaz Ali's younger brother, Arif Ali who made his directorial debut with Lekar Hum Deewana Dil (2014) is going to direct an Indo-Japanese co-production, Love In Tokyo, which will be produced by Imtiaz.

HT Café has reported that Imtiaz and Arif have teamed up for a short film, which will address the problem of water scarcity in India. The most interesting bit about this project is that, the short film’s concept came from their father, Mansoor Ali, who has also acted in it. The short-film is titled Paani Panchayat, and was shot close to Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

"My father said, 'Whenever I would get nervous, I used to think, my three sons are in this field, as directors (their youngest brother, Sajid Ali will soon make his debut as a director), so how can I be nervous about doing this small role?'" said Imtiaz, adding that the work is "very close to his heart."

The director adds that his father has played a part that is "very similar to what he has been in real life," adding, "He was a water management consultant to various governments, and designed irrigation projects in rural India all his life," he says, adding that the concept is about making locals "self-sustaining" with regards water.

"If we can teach local people how to do it -- and since water is so precious to them -- they will find a way to deal with it themselves. If it sustains minus an outsider’s assistance or help, then that liberates them. Else, people end up getting exploited," says Imtiaz, adding that he wrote the film, and since he was busy, Arif directed it.

"Arif has also had the same upbringing and knows the entire thought equally well. My father is happy. It’s like a concept note for him, wherein he can use the film to explain the concept to people. Though he is no longer working, he is still involved with irrigation and the governments in spirit," he said.