Mira Nair’s tribute to Ritwik Ghatak 23rd May 2005
17.45 IST
By ApunKaChoice Bureau
Filmmaker Mira Nair is in Kolkata shooting for the second schedule of her movie ‘The Namesake’, which, she says, will be her homage to Bengali director Ritwik Ghatak.
Addressing a press conference before beginning the shooting of her movie in the city of joy, Mira said that she grew up watching Ghatak’s movies.
“I have grown up seeing Ritwik Ghatak's Meghe Dhaka Tara and a lot of other movies. This film (The Namesake) will be a homage to him,” she said.
‘The Namesake’ is based on a novel of the same title by Pulitzer winning author Jhumpa Lahiri.
Mira says that the film will also feature Jhumpa Lahiri (Bengal-born) and her family members in marginal roles.
“She (Jhumpa) plays a role in my movie as Jhumpa mashi,” Mira Nair said.
Nair also added that ‘The Namesake’ will be made differently from her previous films like Monsoon Wedding and ‘Salaam Bombay’. The film will also have Rabindrasangeet and a few Baul songs.
‘The Namesake’ is likely to be released late next year.