I need to have some depth in my characters. That's why they are all Bengalis. I can't imagine writing a book with someone called Saxena as the hero.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I like to read Bengali novels and short stories. I am not that fond of reading English books, as I don't have a connect with it.
Many characters in the novel are representative of types that exist in India. He represents the caste system in India with an air of superiority, the caste system in India and the people thinking that western things are better.
I wanted to make an Indian character who wasn't either a) the savage that must be eliminated, the force of nature that's blocking the way for industrial progress, or b) the noble innocent that knows all and is another cliche. I wanted him to be a complicated human being.
This is one of his most human and most amusing and witty novels. The characters are very Indian. I decided that I wanted to do a comedy, so this was just the right one.
West Bengal belongs to Bengalis. We should live here like a king and not as servants.
I feel I can express the nuances of the Bengali lifestyle and ways of thinking better than other cultures.
I have done many films across the globe and would love to be a part of Bollywood, but the script must have a strong character for me.
I've never yet managed to write a novel which didn't have an Indian central character.
I would love to do a biopic on Madhubala. She was very pretty. I really admire her.
There are three things I look for in a story - it has to be a thriller; I cannot see myself writing literary fiction or a saga! There has to be a historical connection; otherwise, the adrenalin will not flow. And I will try to bridge the gap between 'Rozabal' and 'Chanakya'.