Deepa Mehta to make film in Punjabi

By Subhash K. Jha Jun 23, 2006, 14:28 GMT

Mumbai, June 23 (IANS) While Deepa Mehta gets ready to launch her big period epic 'Exclusion' with Amitabh Bachchan, John Abraham and Terence Stamp, she has decided to do a small moderate-budgeted quickie which deals with the life of a Punjabi bride in Toronto.

'And before you ask, it isn't a light film to counter the heaviness of 'Water'. It is again going to be a very dark film like 'Water'. The idea came to me while I have been touring the US with 'Water',' Deepa told IANS from Houston.

'I thought of a film on the life of a bride from Punjab and how it changes in the course of just seven days. It is titled 'Heaven On Earth'. And it is about the dynamics of a family change. I start shooting on July 1 and complete the film in seven weeks after which I go on to my big one 'Exclusion'.'

The leading lady for 'Heaven On Earth' is on the verge of being finalised. 'All I can tell you is it isn't a Bollywood actress,' said Deepa.

'It will be in Punjabi with a smattering of English. I had to do something quickly while I am waiting for the big one to come together.

''Water' has acquired a life of its own. The kind of ovation I have seen it getting is unbelievable. Nowhere in the world is 'Water' seen as a typical Bollywood film, though it's a Hindi film.'

© 2006 Indo-Asian News Service