It's my Dream to make a movie in India:BazGarima Sharma, TNN, 29 January
2010, 12:00am IST
Director, musician, actor – Baz Luhrmann dons many hats, but he prefers to
be known as a storyteller. His directorial oeuvres include the
[image: Baz Luhrmann sprays some colour while painting a mural in
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Baz Luhrmann sprays some colour while painting a mural in Mumbai
Leonardo Di Caprio starrer Romeo + Juliet, and the Nicole Kidman and Hugh
Jackman epic, Australia. But for Indians, he’s the man who made the gorgeous
Kidman shimmy to Chamma Chamma in his Bollywood inspired musical, Moulin
Rouge.
Baz is in the country on a “creative adventure trip,” and is at the moment
zipping through Rajasthan on a Bullet, taking pictures and creating artwork
with friend and artist, Vincent Fantauzzo, that will be auctioned for
charity in Delhi.
When did you first come to India?
Not many know, but I came to India 15 years ago with my wife. We wanted to
do a stage production of Benjamin Britten’s version of Shakespeare’s A
Midsummer Night’s Dream. We wanted to create a work that was set in the
colonial Raj in India, with elements of Hindu mythology and Elizabethan
influence. This is the visit when I was also influenced by Bollywood and I
felt the need to integrate elements from it in my work. My second visit to
the country was for Moulin Rouge, and now I am here again.
Your introduction to Bollywood...?
During my first trip here, I and my wife went to see a movie in Jaipur. In
the hall, we were the only two Australians. The movie was about two boys
chasing a girl ... there was music, tragedy, comedy ... all rolled into one
flick. Though I didn’t sit through all of it, I was deeply influenced by how
much Bollywood offers in a single package, and wanted to include that in my
storytelling.
How about your current trip?
I’m here with my friend, the artist Vincent Fantauzzo. We just painted a
wall at the hotel Le Sutra in Mumbai. The art work basically represented
Hollywood and Bollywood dance icons. The idea was to convey that what’s
happening in Australia has apalled 99.99 per cent of all Australians. The
guys involved with the incidents are pathetic losers. The people of
Australia have genuine love for India and Indians. This is just a creative
expression of that idea. We will now travel across Rajasthan, taking
pictures and will exhibit these in Delhi soon. Though my family is not here
with me, I am dying to bring my children to India. I know they will
definitely love it.
Any Bollywood collaborations?
I spent the morning with AR Rahman, now my friend. We had a discussion and
he’s fantastic. We are planning to create some work together, but it’s too
early to talk about it. I’d just say that we want to create the right piece,
for the right story so that it can be told well.
It’s always been about storytelling for me. I have created music too, still
do. I’ve worked with the best musicians ... Bono ... Elton John. In fact,
just a while ago, I created a work with Elton John. So, whatever be the
medium – music, art, cinema or paintings – expressing oneself through a
story is most important for me. I am in the business and life of a
storyteller.
Also, I met Amitabh Bachchan and his family yesterday for lunch.
Any project in the future with them?
I wonder at times about this myself. It’s my dream to make a movie in
India.
What does Bollywood mean for you?
It’s really about drama, comedy, tragedy and music. It is a form that leads
to the exaltation of the human spirit. It raises audiences to new hopes.
I also know about the different Khans. The young directors are doing some
great work here. The youthful India is truly exciting, with the young
directors experimenting with such interesting plots. I have seen Lagaan
also. And Satyajit Ray has been a great influence too.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-interviews/Its-my-Dream-to-make-a-movie-in-IndiaBaz/articleshow/5509210.cms
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- Regards
~ ~ A.R.Rajib ~ ~
