Subhash K Jha (DNA; February 7, 2014)

From a film about sex sleaze scandal and self-degradation in the horror-porn industry to an out-and-out fantasy about a super-hero, Ashim Ahluwalia the director of the much-lauded Miss Lovely is moving on.

He is all set to do a movie version of the super-hero character Bahadur created by Abid Surti for Indrajal comics. Unlike superhero films like Ra.One and Krrish, Bahadur won’t emulate Hollywood’s superhero formula but forge its own identity.

Says Ashim. “It will be very different - an Indrajal comic book character – which is interesting and I can relate to.” the avant-garde director says, “When Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas was screened at the Midnight Section of Cannes many years ago, a section of the international press mistook it for a parody. I don’t think with the newer Hindi films coming out now, we are in the same situation. A film like Miss Lovely will now release in France, Japan and in the US in April. That’s a huge shift – and it will be amazing that they will get to see “our” India and not just the Slumdog Millionaire version.”

Incidentally every prominent actress from Mallika Sherawat to Mugdha Godse turned down the film. Laughs Ashim, “Most of them were outraged or scandalized because they thought it was an actual C grade film. They couldn’t understand the idea the the film could be “set” in the C grade industry without actually being a sleaze film itself. One actress even threatened to lodge an FIR against us.” Surely, they are all regretting their decision now.