India calling: Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan

It’s been quite a dream run for director Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan. First, it was the challenge of making Lahore — India’s first film on kickboxing, which won him the National Award for Best Debut Film. Another feather in his cap came up when a Hollywood production house bought the rights of his film.

Now, Sanjay’s all set with his second film, a yet untitled science fiction with Indian roots. “We’ve always tried to Indianise Hollywood science fictions films, but this time, I have tried to use technology to crack the concept,” he says, adding, “The Indian film industry is 100 years old, but science fiction as a genre seems to have fallen flat. In fact, we have such a great backdrop for sci-fi films. How else would one attribute the presence of the pushpak viman or the brahmastras that were used in the days of the Ramayan and Mahabharat?”

Having refused as many as 15 films, post Lahore, to be able to work on this sci-fi project, Sanjay has no regrets. “I’ve always been fascinated with the genre and to be able to make a film that has its roots in our own tradition means a lot,” he states.

While the cast is yet to be finalised, most of the technical crew is already in place. The list of names also happen to scream out the fact that Indian films are going global. “Frederick Elmes, director of photography of Hulk will be handling the camerawork, while the background score will be done by New York-based composer Wayne Sharpe.

Lisa Gerrard, who’s also lent her voice for the award-winning Gladiator, has been signed on, along with Baaba Maal, the Senegalese singer of Black Hawk Down fame,” Sanjay informs. With a list like that, being a part of this team is not just an experience but a challenge. “Getting the crew together was quite a challenge,” admits Sanjay, adding, “But with that hurdle crossed, the journey forward should be pretty smooth.”