"Mirch was called unashamedly lusty"

Last time you won a national award for your much appreciated film, Godmother. Are you expecting one for Mirch too?

Vinay Shukla: I didn’t expect to win a national award for Godmother. It depends on how it is received by the other people. As far as I am concerned, I am very happy with the way Mirch has shaped up. It is an erotic film, in the Indian context. My friend Naseer (actor Naseeruddin Shah) called it an exquisitively crafted and unashamedly lusty film. It has been appreciated. It was shown at the MAMI festival, in New Jersey, it won the popular choice award at the New York film festival.

Erotic? Are there intimate scenes?

Vinay shukla: When you watch it you will realise what I mean by erotic. Aparna Sen called it a very sophisticated film.

You have been a script writer for three decades. What do you think has changed over the years?

The values have changed. Nothing is done under the cover any longer. There is much more awareness and the writers are more assertive. Production houses know that they have to value the writers. As far as the writing itself is converned the box office formulae is now passé. Certain elements like song and dance and romantic tracks will remain forever, but nevertheless values have changed. Also we can now make casual films. Every film need not be high drama. Like Wake Up Sid. Sex is not a taboo. Gray shades are accepted totally.

Mirch is said to deal with infidelity. You think such bold topics wouldn’t be possible earlier?

The values have changed, nothing is done under the cover. Having said that the film is more about gender equality in relationships, at a deeper level. The basic premise is what happens when a woman is caught red-handed with her lover and how she still manages to get away scot free. The story is from Panchatantra….

Panchatantra? Surprising!

Isn’t it? A character in the film asks the same question that you did. But it is inspired from a story from Panchatantra.

Both Godmother and Mirch are woman-centric films and it is said that woman-centric films don’t really work at the box office….

Godmother was woman centric. Mirch might appear so, but it is not. Nevertheless women are at the forefront….an act of force….about woman centric films not being successful, it is the economics. It is perceived that people want to watch films with a big hero. And big stars won’t agree to work in a woman centric subject…so on and so forth.