In Focus

Sahitya Akademi award-winning writer Vishwas Patil,who has turned to fimmaking with Rajjo,talks about his fling with Bollywood.

His first encounter with films was on the sets of a V Shantaram film in the early 70s. As a young fan,the 12-year-old had sneaked on the sets of Pinjra,and was asked to play a small role that of a schoolboy by the director. An IAS officer and Sahitya Akademi Award-winning author,Vishwas Patil recently turned filmmaker with the Kangana Ranaut-starring film Rajjo,which released on Friday.

I have always been a fan of films. In fact,Ive even written Not Born With The Wind,a Marathi novel based on film personalities, says the Mumbai-based author,who has also written critically acclaimed historical books such as Panipat,Zadazadati and Mahanayak.

Coming from a small village called Nerle in Kolhapur district,Patil says he was the first graduate in a family of farmers. Beginning his career as a state government officer in the late 80s,Patil was promoted to the IAS rank in 1996. He has also worked as a journalist.

Along with my books and work,I also used to work on film scripts, says the 56-year-old,adding that he would also often accompany noted cinematographer Binod Pradhan on his shoots. I have assisted him in my small way for over a dozen films, he says. Patil adds that Rajjo happened quite by chance. I was working on a script that the producers brother happened to see. That made him think I was the right choice to direct Rajjo which follows the story of a young boy falling in love with a prostitute, he says.

Even though Rajjo has failed to garner positive reviews from critics and movie-goers,Patils spirit is not dampened. I like films and I like the industry too. I will continue working in both, he says,adding that he is now waiting for the release of his book Pashan Zunj.

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