Prakash Jha turns author

Mumbai, Dec 16 (IANS) A fortnight after the release of his film "Apaharan" on the kidnapping industry in Bihar, director Prakash Jha is set to release his book on the same subject.

Talking about the book, also titled "Apaharan", Jha told IANS: "I've kept my book under wraps because I didn't want the film to be overshadowed by the other event."

The filmmaker has been keenly observing the politics of Bihar for several years now. He undertook extensive research on the subject of kidnappings.

"I researched almost eight years on the 'Bhagalpur blindings before making 'GangaaJal'. We did almost as much research for 'Apaharan'. Now we're ready with the book."

Elaborates the filmmaker-turned-author: "The book is authored by me and several of my colleagues. The first part will contain the introduction to and history of kidnappings in Bihar in three chapters. We also have a chapter devoted to the making of 'Apaharan' (the film)."

Jha is publishing the book, priced at Rs.1,500. "We're publishing it along with a 45-minute DVD on the film's making. It will be on the lines of 'Gangs Of New York'."

He thought the kidnapping business in Bihar lent itself to a multiplicity of interpretations.

"There are so many layers to it. Its dynamics and mechanisms are very intricate, right from the spotters who zero in on potential kidnap victims to the politicians and the financiers of this racket.

"I've gone into the outsourcing of this racket...Many of the powers-that-be in Bihar during the last regime were directly part of it.

"I went inside Beur jail (in Bihar) thrice and spent time with kidnappers. They openly boasted about their exploits...The book gives me the space to discuss these topics, space that the film didn't allow me."

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