Austen Powers

How much opposition does a women-oriented script face in the film industry?
A producer,upon hearing the script,told us that it is a great idea but it’s a woman’s piece. He had just watched Laaga Chunari Mein Daag and cited the example of the film’s poor box-office performance. Another production house told us that maybe we should re-write the script to gear it towards an actor they had in mind. It was unbelievable. But for three years I heard similar responses from every producer I met.

Is that why you took the unusual route of approaching the actress first?
That was not planned. One production company agreed to make the film and that’s when I first approached Sonam. I had not seen her work but had read about her. She was keen on doing Aisha but didn’t want to work with that production company. That’s when Anil Kapoor stepped in. Sonam instantly saw that since it was a first-person narrative,the film would be a great opportunity to showcase her talent. Sonam has a lively energy,but also a certain darkness,which makes her a good actor. This dichotomy suits Emma’s character since it is heavily layered.

How did Abhay Deol fit in?
He is the most secure actor I have met and he didn’t hesitate working in a film with a female protagonist. Abhay perfectly fits the character of the typical British male. He is a guy who can floor a woman,like Darcy of Pride and Prejudice and,in this case,Knightley of Emma.

How did you adapt Emma to suit Indian sensibilities,given that the original takes a satirical look at 19th century British society?
Emma is a human story. As for the satire on society,I’ve touched upon that. That’s the reason I based the story in Delhi,where caste divide has given way to class divide. In Delhi you can find a young girl dressed in a Calvin Klein or a Versace discussing matchmaking with her neighbour. Like in Emma,marriage is about elevating your social status. I’ve hinted on these things but,remember,it’s a commercial rom-com.

How close is it to the original text?
Once you adapt,you take the essence of the story and let the rest go. There are places where I’ve curtailed the role of certain characters,like that of Emma’s friend Harriet Smith,or combined two characters into one,like the Woodhouse sisters.

Are you nervous that everyone will compare Aisha with Emma?

I’m fine with that. This is my first commercial film. I’ve already handed over the director’s cut and now it lies in the producers’ hands.

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