Lajjo next on the cards: Ratnam

GURU AT CANNES: Mani Ratnam talks about Guru's success and his next project with Aamir Khan.

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CNN-IBN Entertainment Editor, Rajeev Masand, spoke to director Mani Ratnam about the Cannes Film Festival and Bollywood going the international way.

Rajeev Masand: With us here at Cannes for the screening of his film Guru is veteran filmmaker Mani Ratnam.

Mani Ratnam: Thank you.

Rajeev Masand: Guru has been your first commercial success in Hindi after Yuva and Dil Se. Was that for you a big accomplishment in any way?

Mani Ratnam: No. I mean you make every film to reach a certain goal and in a way it's a relief. It's good to have your film screened. Seven films a year are being screened at Cannes, but I think we should do more than this. I think we should be in the main competition.

Rajeev Masand:People who have seen the film Guru say that there were some similarities to Dhirubhai Ambanis’ life?

Mani Ratnam: Yes, now that people have seen the film, they know whether there were any similarities or not. I don’t have to explain anything. When you talk of a biography, it has to be a proper biography. This film is fictional. It has got elements of real life and the spirit of real people. We are just trying to get a fictionalised story.

Rajeev Masand: What are we going to see next? Is Lajjo - the film announced with Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor - still on the cards?

Mani Ratnam: Yes, it's still at the scripting table. Once it falls into place, it will come onto the cards.

Rajeev Masand: What does a screening at Cannes really mean? Is it of any significance that they have decided to honour Indian films in such a package and that Guru is a part of it?

Mani Ratnam: I'm sure they honour fee countries every year and this year it happens to be India. But it is good to have your film screened but I think we should do more than this. I think we should be in the Competetion section.

Rajeev Masand: Also, there has been some talk about a Mahabharatha trilogy. You have never really spoken about it.

Mani Ratnam: I don't think i can handle that. It's too big and not in my zone.

Rajeev Masand: So you belive in films that are personal and intimate?

Mani Ratnam: I believe in films i can handle and projects i can deliver.