Do you think that a subject like homosexuality/ lesbianism has to be treated with
more sensitivity? I think homosexuality should be treated as something that simply exists, not as something strange or worse, an affliction! My debut film ‘I Can’t Think Straight’ deals with the problems that even the lead characters themselves have in accepting homosexuality. It’s naive to think that it is universally acceptable. But my hope is to have a future where it is not a big deal for the main love story, or a subplot, to be between the ‘same-sex’ couple. Because then we can focus our energies on some other message.
Do you think that audiences are mature enough to accept such a film, especially from an Asian?
I don’t know. I hope so, but my experience has been that if you wait for people to tell you that they are ready, they never will! Like Henry Ford who made the first car, once said, if I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said ‘a faster horse’! So the audience may need a little push to open up, but that is what my work as a writer and filmmaker is about.
What made you cast Lisa Ray in the lead role?
Lisa has played the role of a Palestinian. She is a wonderful person and a very dedicated actor—her devotion to the craft and art of acting is a pleasure to be involved with. Her colouring worked well for an Arab role, but more importantly, she has a spark and charisma that I wanted to shine through in the film.
Do you expect any controversy to erupt? Are you planning to release the film also in India?
I’m not looking for controversy, as I’d like the film to stand on its own merits. I have no problem releasing it in India.
Tell us a bit about your next venture ‘The Reader— The World Unseen’.
This is based on my second novel. We will begin shooting for it next month. Set in 1950’s South Africa, it follows the lives of two very different Indian women. In a world that separates black from white and men from women, what chance is there for an unexpected love affair to survive? Lisa Ray is starring as Miriam with Sheetal Sheth and Nandana Sen.
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