India's a favourite book, says author Yann Martel

For Canada-based author Yann Martel, his connection with India runs deeper than his book The Life of Pi, which won him the Man Booker Prize for Fiction, and whose central character was shown to be Indian. Yann reveals that he had travelled to India in his 30s, before he actually wrote the novel that traces the journey of a boy, a tiger, a hyena and a zebra after surviving ship-wreck. “I was in my thirties then, footloose and fancy-free on a backpacking trip across, when I came to India. Well, I’ve gotten busier since, so I haven’t really been able to come to India after the book, but I would love to visit again,” says Yann with much excitement. But his India plans apart, what the author’s equally excited about at present, is Oscar-winning filmmaker Ang Lee’s upcoming film based on his novel. In a chat with DNA, Yann talks about the experience of seeing his characters on the big screen and also talks about his fascination with India…

How was your experience on your first trip to India?
Inspiring enough for me to write a book! There’s so much to absorb, it’s really intoxicating. It’s like reading a book. Every city is like a page, so in that I would say that the country’s been one of my most favourite books.

So, while here did you watch any films, try Indian cuisine?
Yes, I did watch a lot of Tamil movies out of curiosity and also several Bollywood films. Cuisine too was a real treat.

Do you follow Indian literature?
Oh yes. I’ve read a lot of Indian authors. I loved RK Narayan’s Malgudi Days. I discovered it on my trip to India and I found it to be really simple, but elegant and rich with flavour at the same time.

Any plans to visit here again?
I would love to, but as of now I am busy with my next book. My wife and I are also expecting a baby next year, so maybe I will visit here with my family. I was in a different frame of mind during my last visit... This time around I would want to soak in a lot more.

Did you have any reservations about your book being made into a movie, about handing your baby to someone else?
No, I think cinema and literature go well together. I met Ang Lee once over dinner in New York and that’s that. He had two versions of screenplays. We discussed about it, I had phone chats with the screenplay writers and we were set.

Did you have any creative control after that, did you visit the sets?
Well, my job as a writer was done and I didn’t want to interfere in Lee’s vision. So, I listened as a writer, careful, but not controlling. Once the screenplay was in place, I stepped out. So, no I really didn’t keep a tab or visit on the sets. There was no my book versus Lee’s Pi of Life.

You recently saw the film?
Yes. It was overwhelming and evocative. I had full faith in Lee’s vision and after seeing the film, I felt that I was right in trusting him. It’s very powerful visually and I would say that he has been visually faithful to the book.

You met the cast as well?
Yes I met Suraj (Pi) and Tabu. Suraj is fantastic in the movie and Tabu is a very beautiful lady.

The film is already being spoken about as being Oscar-worthy?
Well, for Lee’s sake I hope they do consider it, but it’s not for me to decide.