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Mehra denies he's making film on Narmada
By Manissha Despaande and Nitin N. Sethi, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, April 19 (IANS) Bollywood is abuzz with rumours that Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, director of the blockbuster "Rang De Basanti", plans to script a film on the Narmada Bachao Andolan (Save Narmada Movement).

However, Mehra rubbishes the rumours and says he was supporting the cause like all other responsible citizens. "At the moment, making a film on the subject is definitely not on my mind."

"I agree that it is very good to make dams to address the water problem but not at the cost of villagers who have lived there all their lives."

Asked if he and Aamir Khan were trying to extend the reel life revolt of "Rang De Basanti to real life, Mehra said: "No. Our decision to raise our voice in support of Medha Patkar has nothing to do with the film. We are merely acting as responsible citizens of this country who are concerned about the 40,000 families whose survival is at stake."

  
'Rang De Basanti' goes to US varsities
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, April 19 (IANS) Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's "Rang De Basanti" grows bigger by the week, if not the day. Now the director has taken the film on a tour of US universities.

"It's a 10-day tour and I'll be joined by A.R. Rahman," said Mehra who was to go to the university in Eastern Michigan to interact with the faculty, students and academicians, discussing and analysing the film. 

Ohio and probably Miami are also part of the tour.

There's no doubt "Rang De Basanti" has gone way beyond borders.

"I'll have to agree with that. One of the themes that they want to discuss during my US visit is how the film has connected with the youth all over the world. I must say I am humbled by what's happening to 'Rang De Basanti', though I am still very shy of acknowledging its impact," Mehra told IANS.

Judging beauty contests and signing autographs still make him very self-conscious. "I am here to make films, not behave like a star, or be treated like one." 

The introspective director is readying his next project. 

"It will most probably be 'Delhi-6', an autobiographical look at my childhood and young days at Delhi's Chandni Chowk. 

"I need to do something intimate and inward-drawn after 'Rang De Basanti' before I go on to my other more epic projects 'Paanch Kaurav' and 'Bhairavi'."