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Shyam says
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Shyam Benegal on his films on Buddha, Noor Inayat Khan and more
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Photo: Mohd Yousuf
In focus Shyam Benegal: ‘People are more intolerant now’
Shyam Benegal doesn’t mince words. Talking of films and history, he says, “Ashutosh has been stating that ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ is a work of fiction. There’s more intolerance today. We’ve had several costume dramas before. And Akbar’s wife was named Jodha Bai in Mughal-e-Azam; no one complained back then.” he asks. The director also spoke about his projects.
The life of Buddha: Currently working on a film about the life of Buddha, Benegal reveals, “It’s an Indo-Sri Lankan project. Right now, we are in research mode, talking to scholars in many countries where Buddhism is followed. We will then work on the script.”
Hrithik as Buddha? Benegal feels Hrithik Roshan is apt for the role of Siddharth. “I’ll approach him once the script is ready,” he says. “Hrithik, in media reports, has said he’d like to do contemporary roles and Siddharth might be like playing Akbar. I think he hasn’t understood what the film is all about.”
The Spy Princess: The ace film-maker will also make a film on Noor Inayat Khan, a Tipu Sultan descendant who worked as a British secret agent in France. “‘The Spy Princess’ will be shot in France, England and Germany. Lord Meghnad Desai and his wife are working on the third draft of the script. We’ll soon be looking for funds and the cast.”
Comic capers: Benegal’s next release “Mahadev ka Sajjanpur”, he describes, is a “comic satire. The setting is a contemporary Indian village that has television, telephones and other gadgets. The only problem is illiteracy. The hero writes letters for the villagers, becomes their confidant and is also manupulative.” The film stars Amrita Rao and Shreyas Talpade.
SANGEETHA DEVI DUNDOO
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
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Kochi
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Visakhapatnam
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