'The West is running after Indian films' Writer-director Somnath Sen on Leela

Firdaus Ali in Toronto

What is a computer software engineer doing in the world of films? you ask Somnath Sen. Pat comes the reply, "I am designing the world of celluloid now."

Sen is an Indo-American writer and director of the film Leela, starring Dimple Kapadia, Vinod Khanna, Deepti Naval and Gulshan Grover. Leela is based on the lives of expatriate South Asians in the US.

Leela (Dimple) is an aware, liberal visiting professor from Mumbai. She finds herself exploring the real meaning of freedom in a foreign land and, in the process, influences the lives of those around her. Leela is also the story of Krishna (new find Amol Mhatre), born of Indian parents in America but uncomfortable with his hyphenated existence. Leela's relationship with her student Kris is an integral part of the film.

Leela was recently screened at the Toronto's Reelworld Film Festival, where it was enthusiastically received. It now awaits an international release.

Born and raised in Delhi, India, Sen did his MS in computer science and computer-aided design and worked in the US for a while. His fascination for cinema took him back to India. Armed with a Master's in filmmaking from the University of Southern California, he began following his passion.

The decision was not an easy one, he recalls. Coming from a middle-class Bengali family, his parents were shocked to learn of his leanings towards the film industry. "I never had a film magazine at home. And here I was, convincing my parents that I wanted to make a career in films," reminisces Sen.

Initially based in Delhi, he started his work in the visual media with television serials. Later, he moved to Mumbai, where he worked in films like Raja Hindustani, Judwaa, Rangeela, Kachche Dhaage, and Jaanam Samjha Karo. He started as an assistant to ace cameraman W B Rao. After working as editor, screen writer, director of photography and production coordinator in over a hundred projects, including feature films, documentaries, music videos, corporate films and commercials, Sen moved to Los Angeles. He now shuffles his time between being a freelance director and the creative head of Lemon Tree Films.

Two years ago, Sen started writing Leela, Lemon Tree's first feature film. Pitched as a Hollywood film with the soul of Bollywood, Leela is a reflection of how the South Asian-American community is beginning to emerge, blend and influence the mainstream American culture in its own way. The film has music by Jagjit Singh and lyrics by Gulzar.

"It is a film with a very mature script and is in keeping with today's changing times," says Sen. "The youth has related to the film and found no qualms in accepting a married woman's relationship with a boy much younger than her."

The response to Leela is clearly an indicator that post the success of films like Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding and Aamir Khan's Lagaan, new avenues have opened up.

Sen agrees and says, "We were conservative and realistic in identifying Leela's target audience being primarily South Asian expatriates all over the world. Now, in this new climate, we are looking beyond our core audience to the mainstream, English speaking filmgoers."

Audiences, who have seen the film, have been greatly impressed by Kris, the all-American Indian boy in the film. How did he decide on Mhatre? "I chose Amol from about 100 professional actors because he had this vulnerability and seemed like a kid and adult rolled into one. Amol was barely out of college from a small town near Boston taking his first steps into the big bad world of Hollywood. Shy, innocent, honest, charming, I thought he would be perfect for the role and the reviews he has received have proved that I was right," reveals the writer-director.

Sen grew up watching films made by Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Guru Dutt, Shyam Benegal. The Ram Leelas, folk theatres and nautankis back home had also been an important learning ground for him. "Although I loved sensible cinema, I also appreciate Bollywood blockbusters made by the likes of Raj Kapoor, Manmohan Desai and others. Bollywood is an enchanting mix of fantasy and reality, and this is what makes it the biggest and perhaps most unique film industry in the world," he says.

He admires the new breed of directors Ashutosh Gowariker, Aditya Chopra and Farhan Akhtar. "These young directors are taking Indian cinema to greater highs. There is international awareness and a certain amount of curiosity due to the success of Indian films abroad."

Sen adds, "It is not Indian films that are coming to the West; the West is running after Indian films. India has its own audience and does not need cater to the Western audience. Indian films have always been a class apart. Only now are they getting the international acclaim and recognition they so deserve."

Among Sen's future projects are two unnamed ventures for Bollywood. "I am presently writing a script keeping actress Sushmita Sen in mind, as she may be playing the lead role in my film. I am also co-producing a film written and directed by Aditya Bhattacharya, son of the late director Basu Bhattacharya."

India News Feature Service