Dev Anand claims his upcoming film Song Of Life is not the story of sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar or his family. The actor-filmmaker asserted he would go ahead with his 'dream project' of directing an English movie.
"It is not their [Pandit Ravi Shankar's] family story. And it should not be. They must realise I am not interested in the nitty-gritties of their life," Anand said over the telephone from Mumbai.
About media reports that suggested his movie was a true-life story of the Shankars, Anand said it 'certainly is not.' He added, "When you read a novel or a newspaper report and it jolts you enough to make a film, that becomes a creation. What if something from real life, someone around you seems to make for a brilliant plot? Do you call it violation of privacy?"
The basic storyline is somewhere close to Pandit Shankar's life in that it has a musician father, an American wife and a daughter born out of wedlock, said Anand. "I have a lot of affection and respect for Pandit Ravi Shankar and am not naming him anywhere either in the film or in the credits," he continued.
The film was mired in controversy after the Shankars, including half-sisters sitar exponent Anoushka and Grammy Award winner Norah Jones, threatened to sue the filmmaker if he tried to portray their story on celluloid.
Navketan Films' first movie Guide, starring Anand and Waheeda Rehman, was the only film from the Dev Anand banner that had American and Indian versions. "None of my films were in English and I want to position my next film as an American musical," he said.
Anand added he would try and meet the Shankars if the opportunity arose in the US, where he would finalise his new film's cast within a month. He said, "I want them [the Shankars] to know I am making a film which does not portray anyone in a bad light. It just pays tribute to the greatness of music, which knows no barriers."
The two-hour film would have at least three American characters and three Indians in the lead.
Anand said it would be a pure English movie and have an international release. The Indian version would only be released in the major metros. "If you like to call it a crossover film, so be it. At this stage of my career, I feel I must grow and have the courage to make a film for the American market in their language and with their characters."
On whether he was looking to co-produce it with an American group, Anand said it did not suit his style of filmmaking. "Co-productions curb the liberty of the filmmaker and I am not used to it."
