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telling an oft-told tale: Jennifer Lynch. pic/Sameer Markande |
B-Town. Read onâ¦
What made you accept this project?
It was quite auspicious. First time in my life, I said I needed a job. I wanted a challenge an adventure, something that scared me. Twenty minutes later, Govind (Menon) called me saying he's looking for a director. I was transfixed after hearing the legend of the Nagin. I had never heard it before and was compelled to tell it in a way that didn't belittle it. He had seen the film I finished and said I had the sensibility he was looking for.
Did you have any preconceived notions of Bollywood?
I was humanised when I came here. My first response was, how can people be so calm in this chaos? I was inspired to work here after scouting for locations around the country. I waned to make West and East meet halfway. After watching Bollywood films I realised it was super important to not just be dramatic, but also be tender, and romantic. Naagin is a story of love, and vengeance at same time. It's a great legend. I always wanted to tell the story in Hindi. It's an Indian legend, why say it in another language?
Are you aware that the Nagin subject has been explored several times before?
Yes I am aware that there have been multiple films made on the subject and that it's made over and over again. It's a huge Indian legend so I can imagine the interest it would generate in the audience. However, filmmaking is a collaborative process and also intimate at the same time. I wasn't discouraged because of the films made before.
Have you watched any of the Naagin films?
Yes, and most of them are surreal seeming like hallucinations. They have simple scenes but grand frames. However, I noticed that in all these films, the women transform into really small cobras. In my film, Mallika becomes a huge hooded giant cobra.
Mallika is popular for her sex appeal, how have you used that in the film?
Snakes are sensual and so are women. Mallika is by far one of the kindest, most intelligent women I have met. I feel lucky to know her. She's an amazing human being. Her kindness is where her sensuality comes from. She's comfortable in her skin. It's not about being sexy, but about being human. She's doing a superb job. I can't change how she's perceived, but I feel better about being a female now that I know Mallika. She's more naked in this film than anything else, but naked with her emotions and feelings.
How did your dad react to this project?
He has the script, but has not read it yet. He asked me, 'Aren't you scared?' and I said 'No, I am excited. He said, 'Get a good driver'. He was here for three days. He and I are good friends. It's an exchange of ideas between people. I just want to tell the story I want to tell. His advice was 'make the movie you want to make and be good with it.'
Will you be shooting with real cobras?
I am trying to find out ways to do that without harming them. I need to shoot a mating scene between two cobras, but you can't forcibly mate and film them, as one of them dies. I don't want to hurt any animal or even make anything look silly. I have studied real cobras, and will use them for a scene where I am showing a holy ritual.
Shah Rukh Khan visited you on your sets...
Yes. We shook hands. He stayed briefly, said he would come back. I find India very receptive to kindness. People are so warm here. I am very much at home here and very grateful for the warmth I receive.
Are you planning a sequel to the film?
I don't know. All I can say is that I want to tell stories. I don't know where the road will take me. Maybe I will do an action adventure after this, but I definitely would love to do more films in India.
