New Delhi   

Ready for the litmus test again

Lakshmi B. Ghosh

Film maker Sujoy Ghosh is learning the tricks of the trade

NEW DELHI: He had literally dropped a plum job, a secure bank balance and an easy lifestyle in London to pen a success story in Bollywood. That was nearly two years ago, when he made three young musicians obsessed with the music of Rahul `Boss' Burman and facing trouble on the home front the new face of Indian cinema.

He was clearly not the only one - or, for that matter the first -- but as one of the first ones to usher in the era of multiplex movies, Sujoy Ghosh was the new kid on the block with his debut film "Jhankar Beats".

But two years and one more film later, the rank outsider to Bollywood still likes to call himself a "one-man army" fighting hard to learn the tricks of the trade.

With his "Home Delivery" releasing in theatres this past Friday, Sujoy is ready for the litmus test yet again. And while the early reports of his films are hardly flattering, the director is not worried.

"It has been a mixed response so far. Some people have liked the first half, some the second half. But it has been usually good. In any case, as a filmmaker, it is expected of me to put my neck on the block," he says.

Starring Vivek Oberoi, Ayesha Takia, Mahima Chaudhary and Boman Irani, "Home Delivery" comes with the claim of being an "extra large comedy" that is laced with a large emotional quotient as well.

While admitting that the film has more than just comedy to it, Sujoy adds that it "has a funny look because the character played by Vivek is a prankster. He is full of himself and goes around giving advice to people till it all comes back to him one day. Some of his viewpoints change towards the end and he begins to become a better person".

And while many still believe that the name of his film comes from Irani's character of a pizza delivery guy, Sujoy points out there is much more to it.

"The film is actually about a man who has moved away from his family and friends without realising it. Because of his sudden belief and realisation, he finally comes home to his people," reveals Sujoy.

With his "Home Delivery" releasing nearly two years after he made his debut with "Jhankar Beats", Sujoy admits there was pressure on him.

"I am still in the initial stages of my career and obviously it is not easy. I am still a one-man army and I don't know what will happen in the future. It all depends on how things go," he admits.

Although he has always liked writing his own scripts, Sujoy admits that he will not mind eventually turning to a writer.

"In the beginning since I did not really have experience, I obviously wanted to work on my own story and as I had imagined it. But perhaps with time, I would take up good scripts of other people and make them. But till I am confident enough to do that it will be my stories."

From "selling news" during his stint with Reuters in London to turning director, Sujoy is finally home. And as he himself puts it, "I know there is a struggle for everyone here no matter what. And it is perhaps the struggle that makes the end result so much worth it."

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Ready for the litmus test again
Detailed CBI probe ordered
`Controversial' CLP meet today
Man arrested on cheating charge
Delhi continues to reel under severe power cuts
CNG supply gets major boost in Delhi
Crime Branch to probe assault
DDA website for allotment information
Father, son in police net
Court to Tihar jail video conferencing
Four held for auto thefts
"Release my leader"
Briefly
In the Capital Today
Least bothered

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu