Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | NXg | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest |

Karma at Cannes

Thriller drama a scene from the film

Call it the “Slumdog Millionaire” effect if you will, the global spot light on Indian films shines a shade brighter.

A whole bunch of made-in-India movies tried to grab eyeballs at Cannes this year.

Amidst big productions such as “Kambhakkht Ishq”, “Kites” and the likes, a small film (produced with a budget of Rs. 5 crore) was busy eyeing the global market.

Its director Mohammad Shahjahan shares something in common with Danny Boyle. He, like Boyle, assisted Sir Richard Attenborough.

Shahjahan’s film, “Karma: Crime, Passion, Reincarnation”, claims to have given a new twist to tried-and-tested reincarnation stories we’ve seen in innumerable films from “Kudrat”, “Karz”, “Om Shanti Om” and others.

Shahjahan’s project, shot in Ooty, stars Claudia Ciesla (yes, the lady who was clicked with Abhishek Bachchan at Cannes), Alma Saraci and Vijayendra Ghatge among others, and has been written by Vivek Singhania.

“The idea of karma is deeply rooted in Indian philosophy and has a great recall value."

He adds, "The plot puts normal people in abnormal situations. It’s an international film set against an Indian background, for which I wanted an amalgamation of Indian and global talent,” says the director, who previously directed the Aamir Khan and Neelam starrer “Afsana Pyar Ka”.

Obviously, we wonder why he hasn’t been at the helm after having assisted Ismail Merchant, Richard Attenborough (for “Gandhi”) and David Lean among others.

“It has taken me a long time, I admit. In between, I directed a film called ‘Buland’ with Salman Khan. It never saw the light of the day. It was disheartening,” he says.

“Karma…” he says, is a “tightly-woven drama targeting multiplex audience.”

Apart from theatrical release worldwide, the producers are keen on tapping Europe’s DVD market.

The film will be released in English and Hindi soon.

“We screened the film at Cannes last year as well and the film won awards in film festivals in Spain and Greece,” says Shahjahan.

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