Pramita Bose of ASIAN AGE Writes about Mediocre But Arrogant

Modern Classics Spur Bollywood Filmmakers
9/9/2006 9:30:00 PM
- By Pramita Bose

As they say, literature is a reflection of life, so is cinema — the reel mirror of reality. It’s no surprise then that there have been back-to-back screen adaptations of good old literary classics plus period pieces in the past couple of years. But what about those films that project the contemporary world and its socio-economic scenario? Well, the present-day young writers are wholeheartedly considering their options to join the filmi fray and chip in their penned sagas on the silver screen.

Of late, the launch of noted author Vikram Chandra’s much-talked about title Sacred Games has prompted the industrywallahs to go gaga over its compelling storyline as a potential screenplay for the movie marquee. Confirming the offers already pouring in, Chandra says, "It’s true that the book has a cinematic feel to it but considering that it’s a magnum opus, one can only pluck out a few strands as a suspense thriller."

Also in the run is writer Abhijit Bhaduri’s famous B-school campus story Mediocre But Arrogant. "Discussions are on with eminent filmmakers. And Shyamji (Benegal) is impressed with the material, but suggested that somebody young can do justice to its onscreen portraiture. If you ask my personal choice, I’d definitely vote for Nagesh Kukunoor and Farhan Akhtar," he reveals. When quizzed about the lead pair, he adds, "Well, I can think of a cerebral actor like Aamir Khan and for the heroine’s role, Perizaad Zorabian would surely fit the bill. The characters are layered with multiple shades and make for an entertaining viewing."

Veteran author Neelum Saran Gour feels that her fourth novel Sikandar Chowk Park — set against the backdrop of brutal terrorist attacks is apt for filming. "It first came to my mind in a cinematic mode. The scenes are like sequences in films and so is the episodic movement. I think the filmed product would be rather close to the written version," she comments.
Finally, scribe- turned-sensitive writer Nandita Puri’s foray into screenwriting happened with Poonam Sinha’s Mera Dil Leke Dekho. An out-and-out situational comedy, it’s her maiden Bollywood project. Talking about resurgence of author-backed scripts amidst masala potboilers? Here you go.