The Taiwanese-born American director, 58, is in India for the first time for a grand promotional tour of the film, based on Yann Martel's novel of the same name.
Mumbai:
Oscar winning director Ang Lee, whois here to promote his upcoming 3D venture Life of Pi, says,he had a adventurous time shooting some portions of the filmin India and insists there is no gain without pain.
The Taiwanese-born American director, 58, is in India forthe first time for a grand promotional tour of the film, basedon Yann Martel's novel of the same name.
"It is a thought provoking novel. When you make a moviefrom a book it is important you should not get the languageand words same. It is all about showing cinematic vision tothe audience," Lee told reporters here.
"I have been stressed out for the last four years. I feelwithout pain there is no gain. It was tremendous pleasure tobe here and do the film. It was a profound experience... itwas adventurous and fun," he said.
Known for making films like Sense and Sensibility,Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and Hulk, Lee will tourIndia alongwith the starcast including Irrfan Khan, Tabu,debutant Suraj Sharma, Adil Hussain and others for promotions.
The international promotions is being flagged off inIndia in two cities of Mumbai and Chennai.
"I thank everyone... I am happy to be here and bring themovie. I am nervous and anxious. But I do feel privileged andhonored to introduce some footage from the film here," Leesaid.
A host of Bollywood celebrities including Sajid Khan,Amol Gupte, Anubhav Sinha, Kunal Deshmukh and Salim Merchantwere there to see the exclusive and unseen 20 minutes of thefilm in 3D.
The film centered around Piscine Molitor Patel (Pi)played by debutant Suraj Sharma who is raised in Pondicherrywith his family (Tabu plays his mother and Adil is the father)who runs the zoo.
They decide to immigrate to Canada, taking their animalson a huge freighter ship. A terrible storm destroys the ship.The family and animals perish, but Pi lives, stranded ona lifeboat with a Bengal tiger who miraculously survive for 227days at sea.
Talking about his experience of shooting in India, Leesaid, "I have friends in America who told me it will bedifficult to shoot in India. I must say I like the culturehere. I had a great time. People here are so warm andfriendly."
Lee shot the film in Pondicherry and Munnar with almost700 crew members.
"I had a great experience. It was only the heat that Icould not bear. The visual effects have been given by anAmerican company. I have given my sweat and blood for thisfilm. I hope people like it," he said.
Life of Pi releases in 3D on November 23 in English,Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
The Taiwanese-born American director, 58, is in India forthe first time for a grand promotional tour of the film, basedon Yann Martel's novel of the same name.
"It is a thought provoking novel. When you make a moviefrom a book it is important you should not get the languageand words same. It is all about showing cinematic vision tothe audience," Lee told reporters here.
"I have been stressed out for the last four years. I feelwithout pain there is no gain. It was tremendous pleasure tobe here and do the film. It was a profound experience... itwas adventurous and fun," he said.
Known for making films like Sense and Sensibility,Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and Hulk, Lee will tourIndia alongwith the starcast including Irrfan Khan, Tabu,debutant Suraj Sharma, Adil Hussain and others for promotions.
The international promotions is being flagged off inIndia in two cities of Mumbai and Chennai.
"I thank everyone... I am happy to be here and bring themovie. I am nervous and anxious. But I do feel privileged andhonored to introduce some footage from the film here," Leesaid.
A host of Bollywood celebrities including Sajid Khan,Amol Gupte, Anubhav Sinha, Kunal Deshmukh and Salim Merchantwere there to see the exclusive and unseen 20 minutes of thefilm in 3D.
The film centered around Piscine Molitor Patel (Pi)played by debutant Suraj Sharma who is raised in Pondicherrywith his family (Tabu plays his mother and Adil is the father)who runs the zoo.
They decide to immigrate to Canada, taking their animalson a huge freighter ship. A terrible storm destroys the ship.The family and animals perish, but Pi lives, stranded ona lifeboat with a Bengal tiger who miraculously survive for 227days at sea.
Talking about his experience of shooting in India, Leesaid, "I have friends in America who told me it will bedifficult to shoot in India. I must say I like the culturehere. I had a great time. People here are so warm andfriendly."
Lee shot the film in Pondicherry and Munnar with almost700 crew members.
"I had a great experience. It was only the heat that Icould not bear. The visual effects have been given by anAmerican company. I have given my sweat and blood for thisfilm. I hope people like it," he said.
Life of Pi releases in 3D on November 23 in English,Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
