Bhansali heads South for action

The films of John Woo andu00a0Sam Peckinpah are on top of Sanjay Bhansali's must-seeu00a0 DVDs list these days. The man who crafted musically-strong films like Hum...Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas is beginning to lean towards action. This time around, he's taking the producer's seat, though.

Bhansali denies reportsu00a0 that celebrated choreographer-turned-filmmaker Prabhu Deva is making a dance-themed film for him.u00a0 "God Forbid! Why dance? Just because I directed some of Vidhu Vinod Chopra's songs in 1942: A Love Story? And just because Prabhu Deva is a renowned dancer-choreographer? No way! I am sure he wantsu00a0 to prove himself in another direction," says Bhansali.

The director recently flew down to Chennai to sign on Prabhu Deva to directu00a0 an action film. "I've been watching a lot of action films made by the masters. I've seen what Prabhu Deva can do with the action genre. Mujhe Prabhu Deva ka kaam bahut pasand hai. His film Wanted brought back that raw South Indianu00a0action into Hindi cinema. Heu00a0 brings a choreographic elegance to fights. Since I could never direct an action film,
I asked him tou00a0 dou00a0 it for me.

I may never direct an action film, but I can produce one. The idea is to move away fromu00a0 the expected."

The film will star Akshay Kumar. Bhansali has been keen to work with Kumar for a while. "I met Akshay for the first time for this film. He isu00a0 so entertaining and well-mannered. I can't wait to start working with him."

Bhansali sees the projectu00a0 as highly feasible, although costly. "Me, Prabhu Deva, Akshay Kumar and world-class action can't comeu00a0 cheap. The budgets are still beingu00a0 worked out." Bhansali's friend and costume designeru00a0 Shabina Khan will co-produceu00a0the film.

He plans to start a fully active production house and direct his own dream project once every year. After producing My Friend Pinto directed by debutant Raghav Dhar, with Prateik Babbar in the lead, the Prabhu Deva-Akshay action film is next in the pipeline. Says Bhansali, "I'm very proud of My Friend Pinto. Prateik is an actor to watch out for."