Popular actor Anupam Kher has now taken the role of a director for his next film ‘Tanvi the Great,’ which is also his second directorial after 20 years. It is all set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. This film revolves around the story of a young girl named Tanvi and is set against a musical backdrop. Talking about this news, Anupam Kher said it’s good luck for his film’s journey that begins in a big and special place like Cannes. He mentioned it as “the Maha Kumbh of cinema”.
While speaking about the film, Anupam Kher told Hindustan Times, “I did direct another film Om Jai Jagdish 23 years back, but that was not my story. After that, I didn’t direct any film. I wanted it to come from within me, an Indian film for international viewing.”
He further added that he designed this film by keeping its theatrical release in mind: “The film has an Indian character but it’s a universal film. That’s why I am spending money, taking actors there (Cannes) – it’s a huge kharcha. But I want to put the film on a pedestal. Warna mujhe kya zaroorat hai New York jaane ki? I am not some Indian actor who also works in English films. You will not ask this question about whether the film will release in theatres or OTT to Martin Scorcese! I am not comparing myself to these greats, but when you are making the film with passion, uska jo marzi hashr ho, you make it for the cinemas.”
Anupam has experience working in international films such as Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Lust Caution (2007) and Silver Linings Playbook (2013). He was also asked about the present perceptions of the foreigners that do they still looked upon Indian talent and film differently. He mentioned that several projects like Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light helped to evolve the global perception relating to Indian cinema.
He further added, “It certainly has changed. I have not made this film as a crusader though. It has an international appeal which is why I signed on internationally known people like (composer) MM Keeravani and (sound designer) Resul Pookutty, both Oscar winners. My DoP on the film is Japanese. It is a musical, like The Sound of Music (1965).”
The movie stars Lain Glen, Sammy Jonas Heaney, Joanna Ashka, Vrinda Kher, Ritwik Tomar, Lisa-Marie Speigel, Jemima Dunn and Ashish Bisht.
