New Delhi:
After an acting career spanning four decades, Om Puri is set to turn director with a film adaptation of the Punjabi novel Eho Hamara Jeevna, which looks at the life of a woman sold into matrimony.
The National award winning actor said that he has been toying with the ideal of directing a film for years now and decided to make his debut in his mother tongue, Punjabi.
"Eho Hamara Jeevna looks at the condition of women in Punjab and though the novel was written almost four decades ago, the story still rings true," said Puri.
The novel had won it's author, Dalip Kaur Tiwana, the Sahitya Akademy Award in 1972.
"I have been thinking of directing a film for some years now and decided that the book should be adapted for the silver screen. I know the milieu as I grew up in a village in Punjab and I know the characters well," said Puri.
The 60-year-old actor plans to start work on the script soon, but is currently busy promoting West is West/i>, the sequel to the cult British hit East is East and was recently in town to talk about the sequel during an appearance on radio channel.
Puri, returns as George Khan, the dictatorial patriarch bringing up a mixed-race family with a British wife, in the second installment of the cross-cultural comedy of errors.
In West is West, Khan takes his two rebellious sons to native Pakistan from London to introduce them to their roots amid much hilarity and drama.
There he is re-united with his first wife, whom he had left behind for a promised life in the UK, after 35 years.
"George Khan has come a long way since the first film. In the first film, his dominant emotion was anger, rage at the children whom he cannot control. But in the new film, he has become a more layered character, he experiences guilt, doubt and shame," said Puri.
The film, directed by Andy de Emmony, was shot in Chandigarh and the cast and crew had a gala time filming.
"The city has a relaxed vibe about it and when not shooting the entire crew would go out for dinner together and just explore the city," said Puri.
The film which sees Puri caught between his two wives, played by Illa Arun and Linda Bassett, had premiered at the London Film Festival and is now set for an Indian release.
The sequel had secured the highest screen average of the new openers at the UK Box office during it's opening weekend and Puri hopes for a repeat performance in India.
"East is East was released in a very disorganised way, without any publicity but it went on to become a hit nevertheless. With the sequel we want to market it well so that the Indian audiences are introduced to the franchise," said Puri.
The National award winning actor said that he has been toying with the ideal of directing a film for years now and decided to make his debut in his mother tongue, Punjabi.
"Eho Hamara Jeevna looks at the condition of women in Punjab and though the novel was written almost four decades ago, the story still rings true," said Puri.
The novel had won it's author, Dalip Kaur Tiwana, the Sahitya Akademy Award in 1972.
"I have been thinking of directing a film for some years now and decided that the book should be adapted for the silver screen. I know the milieu as I grew up in a village in Punjab and I know the characters well," said Puri.
The 60-year-old actor plans to start work on the script soon, but is currently busy promoting West is West/i>, the sequel to the cult British hit East is East and was recently in town to talk about the sequel during an appearance on radio channel.
Puri, returns as George Khan, the dictatorial patriarch bringing up a mixed-race family with a British wife, in the second installment of the cross-cultural comedy of errors.
In West is West, Khan takes his two rebellious sons to native Pakistan from London to introduce them to their roots amid much hilarity and drama.
There he is re-united with his first wife, whom he had left behind for a promised life in the UK, after 35 years.
"George Khan has come a long way since the first film. In the first film, his dominant emotion was anger, rage at the children whom he cannot control. But in the new film, he has become a more layered character, he experiences guilt, doubt and shame," said Puri.
The film, directed by Andy de Emmony, was shot in Chandigarh and the cast and crew had a gala time filming.
"The city has a relaxed vibe about it and when not shooting the entire crew would go out for dinner together and just explore the city," said Puri.
The film which sees Puri caught between his two wives, played by Illa Arun and Linda Bassett, had premiered at the London Film Festival and is now set for an Indian release.
The sequel had secured the highest screen average of the new openers at the UK Box office during it's opening weekend and Puri hopes for a repeat performance in India.
"East is East was released in a very disorganised way, without any publicity but it went on to become a hit nevertheless. With the sequel we want to market it well so that the Indian audiences are introduced to the franchise," said Puri.
