Ghosh has had enough of making brooding films

Mumbai, Feb 18 (IANS) Bengali director Rituparno Ghosh says he has had enough of dark and brooding subjects and wants to make happy films.

"Enough dark brooding chamber pieces. My last two releases, 'Raincoat' and 'Antar Mahal', go into a dark territory. Even my new Bengali film 'Dosar', which is ready for release, is a black-and-white brooding work. Now I want to loosen up, be happy, make a bright young film," says Ghosh.

He has also completed shooting another Bengali film, "Khela". Ghosh and his leading lady Manisha Koirala seem to have struck up another strong bonding, just like he did with Aishwarya Rai.

"Manisha is so lovely and such a wonderful actress," says Ghosh.

He was slated to start a marital drama with Bipasha Basu and his favourite leading man Prosenjit. "But I have abandoned that idea. In my new film, a child, Akash Neel, plays the lead."

Manisha and Prasenjit play the child's parents.

"It was just a seven-day role for Manisha. I am excited about working with her. She was supposed to be part of 'Antar Mahal' (in the role played by Roopa Ganguly). But that didn't work out. Manisha is an extremely talented and beautiful actress. It is a pity she doesn't take herself more seriously," says Ghosh.

His old favourites, Roopa Ganguly and Raima Sen, also star in "Khela". "Raima plays a costume designer. Yes, the film is partially set in the film industry. Prasenjit plays a filmmaker...

"What really excites me is the fact that this would be my first film to be shot outdoors after my first film 'Titli'. And I have not really worked with a child in a central role."

Does he have problems directing the boy? "Not at all. If he kicks me, I kick him back. If Akash is a brat I am a bigger brat...I really enjoyed directing 'Khela'. It is a frothy, fun, get-happy film. After a long time I feel I am doing a film that I can call a party."

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