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Meaningful cinema Mira Nair

What does she feel about her powerful films that straddle two worlds – East and West? “I am comfortable in both the worlds, actually more than two worlds. I do what my heart tells me.”

“I was inspired to make movies or do whatever, only to change the world and not just give viewers a pleasant afternoon. And so, Monsoon Wedding that has so much ‘masti’, also has darkness.”

Is her latest work, The Namesake, another hit? “‘The Namesake’ is a quiet, almost silent film but it ran for weeks at many places. I was a bit apprehensive about it as our films are packed with sound.” Her take on Bollywood? “It explodes with talent. It’s heartening to see when a film clicks, but it also has a lot of unwanted aspects. I am thrilled that Indian cinema vigorously counters Hollywood. No other country’s cinema does that.”

Her latest directorial venture is Shantaram. “Shooting was supposed to start in February. But it has been postponed because of the writers’ strike in Hollywood. It will begin only by the end of 2008. Although the delay is disappointing, I have been able to take a holiday. I identify myself with the strike, the writers’ demands. We were well prepared to work on Shantaram, with Johnny Depp as star and Amitabh Bachchan as co-star. I have not finalised the rest of the cast.”

And her criteria for Indian nominations for the Oscar and the ‘Eklavya’ controversy? “I think the Indian committees should choose films the West is aware of. The fact is that the Academy, of which I am a voting member, should have greater awareness. It would be better for our nation to send a film that can be distributed in the West.”

And Maisha, her non-profit school for filmmakers?

“It is a free school for filmmakers who win scholarships, and for writers and directors who work closely together. My mantra for Maisha is: ‘If we don’t tell our stories no one else will,’ and so we have to train our students,” says Mira.

But is she a natural filmmaker without formal training? “I got my training by making films but it is not so simple,” says Mira, whose other films include Mississippi Masala and Vanity Fair.

And her next new venture? “Making Monsoon Wedding a Broadway musical.” Here’s looking forward to that!

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