Mumbai:
Q. Your film Ungli looks like an interesting dark thriller...
No, in fact it’s a fun film. A caper tonally akin to Catch Me If You Can. It’s about vigilantes who strike at night. It’s actually about characters that pull pranks on the system.
Q. Some of your actors’ destinies changed while you were shooting Ungli.
Yes, Neil Bhoopalam found fame as a lead in 24. And it’s one of Randeep Hooda’s better performances.
Q. What next?
I will decide only after Ungli releases this Friday. Maybe a biopic. Finally the nation is open to true stories. I loved Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. There are so many Hollywood adaptations, rom-coms and South Indian remakes happening. I’d rather do television than one of these me-too things.
Q. Is Ungli inspired from a secondary source?
I am proud to say Ungli is absolutely original. Not too many vigilante films have been made in the country. It’s an anti-corruption film that is not angry, bitter or violent.
Q. What made you write a novel when you are so busy with other things?
The idea for my novel Kohinoor Express was with me for some time. Initially I thought it’d make a great screenplay. Then I realised it had all the makings of a novel including an expansive classic format, period thriller with many characters. So I decided, why not a novel?
Q. Will you make a film out of Kohinoor Express?
I would for sure. But right now I am very happy to have it as a novel. It has en epic scope. So maybe I could make a mini-series on television. Writing 24 gave me a good idea of how innovative television can be. Now I hear other American series like The Killing and Homeland are being adapted to Indian television.
Q. Are you getting offers to write q more on television?
As a matter of fact, I am. But I’ve just finished a film, and a novel and one season of 24. I want to see how much time the second season of 24 would take before I commit myself to something else on television.
Q. Do you think adapting a large number of serials from abroad is a good thing?
Not really. I think we’ve some fine writing talent in our country. We should be developing indigenous stuff. I think people in the film and television industry like to follow a road map. They’re happy if they know where exactly they’re going with a project. But there is a lot of excitement on television, like Ashutosh Gowariker making a serial on Everest.
