'I'M A PUCCA COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR'

Mani Ratnam, who gave such memorale films like Roja, bombay, and Sakhi, in now back with Amruha, This film is a continuation of Mani Ratnam's tryst with terrorism as it is woven around the LTTE brand of political violence. Of course, his fascination with human relationships is all too evident in Amrutha as well. Mani Ratnam, who was here on the eve of the film's release, was all praise for Hyderabad. An informal chat with the renowned director.

What is Amrutha's storyline?
Since the film is going to hit the screen on February 14, don't you think it would be nice to discuss about it after the release? Basically it's a story of human relationships revolving around a kid called Amrutha.

Why do you always go in for themes that revolve around terrorism? Your films Roja, Dil Se and Bombay had similar themes.
I react to things that happen all around me and make them into movies. I try to interpret it and provide solutions in my own style.

There was a bomb attack on your house after Roja... Can one stop being creative just because of such attacks?
As a director I have a responsibility towards the society and I try to discuss contemporary problems in my own way.

You did not go in for multi-starrers after Dalapati. Any reasons?
I choose the stars to suit the storyline. I believe that right casting is 50 per cent of direction. Dalapati demeanded big stars. So I went ahead and cast well-known stars. I strongly believe that story is something that has to come from deep within and not something that is haphazardly concocted.

All your films seem to have a first-night song...
Songs are links between one scene and the other and should be an integral part of the story. It should help the story in its natural progression.

Yours films can be called commercial films that look like art films. What according to you is the difference between the two?
I am pucca commercial director. The same story can be told in many ways. But I like the main stream films. However, I try to retain the sensitivity. All my films were commercial films, though some of them were not commercially successful.

You seem to like working with kids. You made Anjali, Amrutha and Bombay with children as central characters. Any special reason for this preference?
I derive more satisfaction working with kids, Also unlike the big stars they do exactly what you want them to do.

Why aren't you making a film for the international audience like the way Shekhar Kapoor did?
For any cinema, the canvas is dependent on the storyline. I am only trying to place local sentiments and human relations in perspective. Our films have already crossed territorial limits. That is no mean achievement.

Your wife Suhasini is great actress in her right. But you never gave her an opportunity to work in your films...
(Laughs) I asked her to work in my first film. She rejected the offer. So I am not going to give her another chance.