The bridge between literature and cinema

By Subhash K. Jha Oct 13, 2007, 7:45 GMT

Mumbai, Oct 13 (IANS) Literature and Indian cinema are getting progressively aligned. So it comes as no surprise that Aparna Sen invited writer Kunal Basu to Kolkata to participate in the making of the 'The Japanese Wife', which is based on his novel.

Confirming this, the film's leading man Rahul Bose said: 'Kunal is here with us. He teaches at Oxford. But he has been kind enough to join us here in Kolkata. There're so many things that could go wrong in rendering the novel on screen. It is the toughest role of my life, and I suspect Aparna's toughest film too. In terms of layering and quality associated with international cinema 'The Japanese Wife' beats Aparna's 'Mr & Mrs Iyer' hollow.'

Rahul sees Kunal's as a necessary bridge between literature and cinema.

'I believe Govind Nihalani had Mahasweta Devi on board constantly for 'Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa'. Now with Aparna taking Kunal Basu into confidence, it's clear that litterateurs won't be afraid of letting their novels go on screen. There have been too many mess ups in the transition in the past.'

In fact, Pakistani author Bapsi Sidhwa not only participated in the making of Deepa Mehta's '1947 - Earth', which was an adaptation of Sidhwa's 'Ice-Candy Man', she also wrote a book on the making of 'Water', also a Mehta film.

The film stars Raima Sen, Moushumi Chatterjee, and Japanese actress Chigasu Takaku in the title role.

© 2007 Indo-Asian News Service