Anurag Basu to make film on his own life

By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, June 29 (IANS) Nothing that the talented Anurag Basu has directed for screen can equal his turbulent and shocking life story. So he is all set to put it on celluloid.

"I've lots to say about my life. So far I've been telling stories about other people's lives. Maybe now it's my own turn. There's so much about my life to be told," Basu told IANS.

"Because of my doctors, I've recovered from my potentially fatal illness. After what I've gone through things like publicity limelight and glamour seem so useless and vulgar. I've learnt to go beyond trivia," he added.

Basu was detected with acute leukaemia few years ago. He directed his 2006 hit "Gangster - A Love Story" after recovering from the illness. After that he directed "Life In A... Metro" (2007).

His next directorial venture is the much talked about Hrithik Roshan and Mexican actress Barbara Mori starrer "Kites", which will be released in Hindi as well as English.

"There won't be anything radically different in the two versions because Hrithik and Barbara speak English-Hindi and Spanish, respectively in both English and Hindi," said Basu.

Basu plans to work with Barbara again.

"I've found a lifelong friend in Barbara. She became a known name in these parts after 'Kites'. But I've seen how she gets mobbed in Mexico and at film festivals. I remember when I met her for the first time in LA, she was wearing oversized sunglasses. The minute she took them off she was mobbed. Actually I had seen Barbara's films before I cast her," he said.

The other name shortlisted for "Kites" was Catalina Morino. "But contrary to rumours Penelope Cruz was never considered," he added.

The director is somewhat taken aback by the undue importance being given to the Hrithik-Barbara friendship.

"But I don't think 'Kites' will suffer. All this hype will die down by the time the film will release around Diwali. As the time of release approaches, the focus will shift to the film. I'm not getting impatient about my name not getting mentioned. When people will see the film, the focus will shift."

Basu is aiming high with "Kites" - he wants to make a mark on the global arena with the film.

"'Murder', 'Gangster' and 'Life In A Metro' were so carefully budgeted it would've made money. 'Kites' is another ball game. So far, when I go abroad, I am told Bollywood means Shekhar Kapoor, Mira Nair and Deepa Mehta. I'd like 'Kites' to change that," he said.

Asked why his protegee Kangana Ranaut has been sidelined from the marketing of "Kites", he said: "Kangana too has expressed displeasure about it. But see at the moment we want to project 'Kites' as Barbara and Hrithik's love story. Kangana's portion will come in later. Let's get one thing clear - Kangana is not the main lead in 'Kites'. She was keen to be part of the film. I wasn't that keen because her part was not that pivotal in 'Kites'."

After making "Kites" for Rakesh Roshan's banner Filmkraft Productions, Basu is committed to make his next film for UTV.

"I need to get to that immediately. I'm buying time from them," he said.