Tanuja feels fresh content is better accepted today

Lucky Ali and Gauri Karnikstarrer Sur — The Melody of Life was one of the muchtalked about films of 2002. Unfortunately, the movie failed to make a mark at the box office. Tanuja Chandra, who helmed the feature, feels that had the film released now, it would have done better.

“Story and treatment wise Sur was nothing like what was being made at that time.

Had it released in today’s time, when content-driven films are given more importance, I feel it would have got better reception as it had the potential. There is more openness towards films with fresh and interesting content in the market. Hope And A Little Sugar (2006) is another film I think would also have done better,” says Tanuja, who is happy with the positive reaction to her latest film Qarib Qarib Singlle.

Interestingly, when Tanuja started working on the film, she completely pinned her hope on Irrfan. “Irrfan was always on my mind. He just perfectly suited Yogi’s character and he’s the first actor I approached. If he had said no, it would have been a little bit of a challenge for me,” she says, also adding that it was not easy to convince Irrfan.

“For someone like him who is known for his serious acting, doing a romcom was new. So, I was quite anxious about his reaction,” she said.

Sur (2002) was nothing like what was being made at that time. Had it released in today’s time, when contentdriven films are given more importance, it would’ve got better reception TANUJA CHANDRA DIRECTOR

PHOTO: PRODIP GUHA/HT Tanuja Chandra is the director of the recent release Qarib Qarib Singlle