Guneet Monga has — along with Anurag Kashyap — produced critically acclaimed films like Gangs of Wasseypur, Peddlers and most notably, The Lunchbox.
While her upcoming film Zubaan seems set to get attention from the right quarters, rumours in B-town suggest that the creatively and commercially successful collaboration between Guneet and Anurag is at end.But how much truth is there in the reports? We put this, and other questions, to the lady herself:
Sources say that you have parted ways with Anurag… what is the reason behind it?
I don’t know where those rumours came from. Anurag is my mentor and friend. He has always been there for me as a guiding light. We have done so much work together and still we are co-producing a few films. It is just that I have started my own company and produce films under my banner (Sikhya Entertainment). There is no conflict between Anurag and me.
Tell us something about your next venture Zubaan...
Zubaan is a coming-of-age musical drama, that marks the first-time-pairing of Vicky Kaushal and Sarah Jane Dias. It has been invited to be the opening film of the prestigious Busan International Film Festival (held in South Korea on October 1). This screening will be the world premiere of Zubaan.
Two of your other films — Haramkhor and Tigers — are also set to release…
Yes. Haramkhor is a forbidden love story set in a small town where a young girl falls for an older man.
Tigers stars Emraan Hashmi in the lead. It’s based on a real-life story, about a salesman working with the pharmaceutical industry in Pakistan, who discovers its truths while selling baby formula products, and tries to fight against the system.
How difficult is it for woman directors or producers to excel in this male dominated industry?
It’s a bit difficult. I feel its their shortcoming that they aren’t able to talk to women. Competition keeps going on. These are challenges of day-to-day life.
